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Middlesex County Museum & Historical Society: A Reception At Locust Grove Farm Narration By: Bob Prichard The Middlesex County Museum will hold a reception at Locust Grove Farm in support of the organization once it is safe and healthy to do so.

“Riverdale Farm in Hardyville was the site of a World War ll “top secret” communication outpost. It was linked to others from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey to Fort Monroe and was used to relay confidential communications to the Pentagon.” Signatures in Time, A Living History of Middlesex County, Virginia pg 325. You can purchase a copy of the book, “Signatures In Time, A Living History of Middlesex County, Virginia” online or in person at the museum to learn more! Purchase A Book Plan A Visit To The Museum

With General Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller’s home just down the street, the Middlesex County Museum has collected a number of pieces that celebrate the decorated war hero over the years. Most recently added to this collection is General Puller’s Trench Coat, which was donated by his two daughters, Martha & Virginia. We invite you to visit the Middlesex County Museum to view the General Puller Collection! VISIT US! The Middlesex County Museum is also in the process of relocating Puller Park, and needs your support! To learn more, click here!

Infant christenings originate from the Jewish bris (circumcision) and zerved habat riuals, in which children are named and dedicated to God. The Christian church adopted a similar custom, baptizing babies and adult converts. All wear white clothing, symbolizing “newness of life” in Christ (Romans 6:4) and a symbol of purity and innocence. Up until the 17th Century, young babies were tightly wrapped in swaddling clothes and carried to the front in a “bearing cloth”. The first Christening robes were worn by both boys and girls with a very long flowing skirt which fell from a short bodice and a low neck and short sleeves. A number of exquisite Christening sets survived from the 17th and 18th Century that included bibs, caps, pincushion covers, head bands and handkerchiefs in embroidered linen. White silk and satin were the fabrics of choice until cotton became more accessible during the Victorian Era when Christening Gowns became very elaborate works of art. The Middlesex County Museum has a collection of several Christening Gowns on display. We invite you to learn more about the tradition of these Heirloom Christening gowns by visiting The Middlesex County Museum! Plan A Visit To The Museum!

Binghamton, New York native Willis Sharpe Kilmer made his fortune in advertising his uncle’s (Dr. S. Andral Kilmer’s) patent medicine business. Their main brand was a medicine called Dr. Kilmer’s Swamp Root, an herbal tonic that “Cured It All”. By 1909, Willis Kilmer was a millionaire who bought a 1,000-acre horse farm, here, in Middlesex County on LaGrange Creek in an area known as Streets. He name his farm Remlik Hall (His surname spelled backwards). The name of the local post office then was change also to Remlik. Learn more about the Kilmers and “Swamp Root” by visiting The Middlesex County Museum! Plan A Visit To The Museum!

“Lower United Methodist Church is steeped in history: It began its life in 1650 as the “Lower Chapel” for the Protestant Episcopal Church of England. The chapel was replaced by the present brick sanctuary in 1717. It still retains many of its colonial features such as its original hipped roof of which very few exist today. The church survived the Revolutionary War despite being abandoned by the parish. The Baptists and Methodists began to use it. Robert Healy helped the Methodists obtain it from the parish in 1857 and here we have remained.” From the Lower UMC Website. For many colonial parishes, there is an absence of knowledge of the history due to a loss of early records, but that’s not the case for those in Middlesex County like Lower United Methodist Church. Authentic dates and records give credence to the assumption that worship began at the site of Lower Church in 1650 when a wooden “chapel of ease” was built in the lower precinct of Christ Church parish. Learn More about the history of Lower United Methodist Church with the following documents below: Lower UMC Brochure Lower UMC Booklet

As America began to populate, there was a strong need for the children to be educated. Middlesex County was populated with a variety of school houses. The goal in a location was to be no more than two miles from the students who were to be educated, as they would walk to and from school each day. Church services, Christmas parties, community gatherings, lectures, and spelling bees were all held in the school house. The “school bell” was used not only to call everyone to gather for their lesson, but also to warn of dangers (such as a fires) and to ring in the holidays. On display at the Middlesex County Museum, you can find an old School Bell we have on loan from Ms. Becky Young, as well as an old School Desk. The summer school term ran from May until August and the winter term from November through April. By the 1900s, the nine-month term was established allowing the students to work in the fields during planting and harvesting seasons. School hours were from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Attendance was voluntary and subject to farm chores and weather. The subjects covered were known as the “Three ‘R’s”: Reading, Righting (Writing), and Rithmetric (Arithmetic). See more Early School House items at the Middlesex County Museum! PLAN YOUR VISIT TO THE MUSEUM!

August 26th is Women’s Equality Day! August 26, 1920 The following record of the first women to vote in Middlesex is comprised of women from the Saluda and Pinetop Districts. ‘Those from the Saluda District were: Lucy Blakey Royal, Gay Wright, Emma Lee Ball, Mary Wright Blackwell, Eleanor Ball Kipps, Blanche H. Saunders, Vir­ginia McCandlish Evans, Bessie Mae Brown, Susie D. Lawson, F. E. Bristow, Flossie B, Eastman, Annie H. Puller, Sarah 0. Tucker, Mrs.Nellie S. Smith, Sadie L. Segar,Hattie S. Segar, Bessie M. Brown, Emma L. Ball, Lucy E. Blakey, Lena Blakey, Lottie L. Davis, Winnie D. Dietz, Mary Grinels, Estelle Walker, Gay W. Wright, Lillian B. Wallace, Gladys B. Kerr, Ida M. Bristow, Fan­nie P. Woodward, Fannie B. Bristow, Julia P. Anderson, Mrs. Ray Callis, Florence E. Gray, Lillian P. Gray, Mrs. Temple B. Hoskins, Nannie M. McCandlish, Bernice E. Neale, Lucy W. Pitts, Ella M. Stubbs, Fannie R. Smither, Eugenia W. Shackelford, Annie C. Smith, Lucy G. Anderton, Virginia M. Walden, Blanche S. Webb, Cornelia E. Bristow, Margaret H. Barnhardt, lVlarv E. Davis, Irma Davis, Mamie A. Edwards, Louise Harwood, Sally Harwood, l’vlary P. Harwood, Lottie C. Jones, Maude S. Lee, Lucille Moore, Martha E. Owen, M.A. Pratt and Lena S.Segar. The first women voters of Pinetop District were: Mrs. Jessie R. Pitt, Mrs. Marion M. Barrick, Mrs. Mary Burnes Daniel, Mrs. Mary Margaret Daniel, Mrs. Eudora W. Daniel,Mrs.Annie G. Walton,Mrs. Ida B. Ferneyhough, Mrs. Mattie Major Hart, Mrs. Annie McNamara He;ily, Mrs. Susie Duvru Lawson, Mrs. Nannie H. W. Segar, Mrs.Grace Vaden Bennett, Mrs. Fannie R. Barrick, Mrs. Bettie W. French, Mrs. Lillian B. Mercer, Mrs. Nelson Howard McNamara, Mrs. Elizabeth Pitt, Mrs. Lucy Hall Revere, 1Vlrs. Mary W. Revere, Mrs. Nellie L. Stiff, Miss Alice Stiff, Mrs. Clinton W. Stiff, Mrs. Fannie A. Stiff and Mrs. Laura W. Woodland. (Signatures in Time; A Living History of Middlesex County, Virginia, pg. 379)

The newspaper article below shows how the African-American community in Middlesex County, Virginia organized to fight the poliomyelitis epidemic in the mid-twentieth century. We don’t have the exact date of the article nor the name of the publication; however, the article is believed to have been published between the fall of 1941 and the spring of 1942, and may have been in  The Southside Sentinel . Interestingly enough, the probable date of the article’s publication coincides with the launching of the March of Dimes-funded Tuskegee Infantile Paralysis Center. The article is from the papers of Gladys Cauthorne White (1912-2003), courtesy of Bessida Cauthorne White.

The Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society, with the help of Middlesex County, is currently in the process of registering Saluda as an Historic District. The last Public Informational Hearing regarding this process was held on August 10th, 2020. Below you can find the National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for the Town of Saluda. [download_after_email id=”1313″]

A foreword from Larry Chowning Middlesex County Heritage Tour Guide, Rivers and Roads was compiled in 1996 by the county’s Heritage Tour Guide committee chaired by the late Pat Royal Perkinson. This historical driving tour is designed to take you back in history to when Middlesex County was a part of the English colonization of America, through conflicts of an American Revolution, a Civil War fought over slavery, and of famous folk who came to live in the county. Middlesex County was founded in 1668 and with each century that passed citizens of the county traveled the historical pathway to their own American experience. Their homes, barns, smokehouses, old stores, dairies, slave quarters, etc. are all relics of the past that speak to the counties broad and extensive history. The compilation of these historical homes and buildings and maps in Rivers and Roads is an effort to bring history alive in a fun journey, to make history more accessible, and to broaden historical awareness in an organized and deliberate way. We hope you enjoy the tour and traveling in the historical footprints of American Indians, English colonies, African slaves, Union and Confederate soldiers, and Americans from each generation since our nation was founded. [download_after_email id=”1297″]

The Middlesex County Museum & Historical Society is pleased to have on display a collection of fossilized bones and shells on loan by a local resident. Along the shores of the Piankatank River, near the site of an 1800’s trash dump, is a Miocene layer of soil. Within this site, fossilized bone fragments emerge along with bottles and shells, and small whole scallop shells from the Rappahannock River along with a clam casement are found.  A natural  Gypsum Crystal  “Desert Rose,” fossilized horse teeth, a portion of a whale flipper  and other “finds” surface. Interested in learning more about these finds or seeing them for yourself?The museum welcomes your visit on Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm. Admission is free.

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources will conduct a public information hearing of the Saluda Historic District on August 10, 2020. The meeting begins at 7 pm and will be a virtual meeting. Details may be found on our website at  https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/boards/forthcoming-public-meetings/ .  Public comment regarding the proposal will be taken at the time of the hearing or can be sent to: Director Julie Langan, Dept of Historic Resources, 2801 Kensington Ave, Richmond,VA 23221. This proposal has been recommended eligible for the Virginia Landmarks and National Registers. This proposal will be presented to the State Review Board and the Board of Historic Resources on September 17, 2020, at a virtual meeting.  For a copy of the proposal and/or a boundary map contact Elizabeth Lipford at  elizabeth.lipford@dhr.virginia.gov  or 804.482.6454. Want to learn more about the designation of Saluda as an Historic Disctrict, see our previous article with the Saluda District Cultural and Historic Resource Survey Report.

On June 19, 2020 (Juneteenth), Governor Ralph Northam announced the approval of an Historic Highway Marker recognizing the Stingray Point Contraband, six enslaved black men who in July of 1861 self-emancipated by turning themselves in to the United States Navy at Stingray Point in Middlesex County. See  Southside Sentinel  article here. In April of 2012, Davaline Taliaferro hosted a tour of Stingray Point for members of Middle Peninsula African-American Genealogical and Historical Society (MPAAGHS). The group stood along the shore adjacent to the site of the original Stingray Point Lighthouse. Then the group explored the exact full-scale replica of the original lighthouse that is located at the Stingray Point Marina. VIEW THE SOUTHSIDE SENTINEL ARTICLE

In 2018, the family of Captain Newman gifted the Middlesex County Museum & Historical Society his gun accessories, a medical kit, hygiene kit, shovel, uniform, a tote bag, Army service mask and the map tote bag pictured below among other items and documents. The map tote bag contains the original maps, pens, a scrap of cloth and a note pad.  In addition to the Medal of Honor, Captain Beryl R. “Dick” Newman received the Purple Heart, Bronze Cross and the Silver Star in honor of his heroic actions during World War 11.  Middlesex County, the Woman’s Club and the Town of Urbanna have honored Captain Newman on various occasions and the bridge leading into Urbanna is named after him. Our museum is proud to be entrusted with his belongings, and they are on display for the public to view and remember our local “Heroes.”

Growing up in Urbanna, Virginia in the early 30s was a happening time with many things to do, including watching a film at the Rappanna Theatre located on the Main Street of the town (now known as Old Virginia Street). Looking at the street today, this building would have been nestled between the buildings that house the Virginia ABC Store & Something Different Restaurant. The Rappanna Theatre originally opened its doors in October of 1931, and had enough seating for over 200 people. When the original building burned down in 1949, it was replaced with a new building that could hold even more with balcony & orchestra seating. The Rappanna remained open up until the early 1980s. Three of the Rappana Theatre’s seats can be found at the museum. Do you remember watching a feature film in the old Rappanna Theatre? Send us your stories and the first film you remember seeing there!

Jesse Debusk moved to Urbanna, Virginia from West Virginia in the year 1939. In this talk, she discusses her 40 Years at Bank of Middlesex, as well as the purchase of the John Mitchell Map that is currently displayed in the Urbanna Museum & Visitor’s Center/Scottish Factor Store. She discusses her part in the Urbanna Oyster Festival and the Queen Pageant, and so much more about Urbanna and Middlesex County. Your browser does not support the audio element.

By Rob Warner  Back in 1670 a very colorful early settler to the Chesapeake Bay area finished creating a map of the area. His name was Augustine Herrman, who may have been the first Czech settler in America. He called his map “Virginia and Maryland as it is planted and inhabited this present year 1670.” The map was printed in London in 1673 and quickly became one of the most accurate maps of its time. It was copied many times in smaller sizes for the next 120 years. Today only five original prints exist, two in America, two in France, and one in England— all well cared for. Yes, Middlesex County, Virginia, is on the map. Middlesex County was just formed in 1668 and 1669. Urbanna would not be created for another 38 years. About three years ago, while studying Herrman’s map, I realized that three Middlesex plantations I was interested in were probably marked correctly on the map. This is a large map, made from four separate sheets, so it is 37 inches wide and 31 inches high. The scale is 7.5 miles to the inch, so showing plantations and other details like shallow spots in a river were possible. The more I researched Augustine Herrman and his map, the more interesting the story became. I am still working the full Chesapeake Bay story. I will need lots of help for it, but I also need help on the Middlesex part of the map. My Middlesex home is near “Turks Ferry.” Turks Ferry is on the map. I can see Turk’s Ferry from my dock. I found the map has many named locations which are like secret keys that allow us to locate groups of plantations. Well, it must have been a very, very boring day when I decided to count the plantations on the map. My answer was 1,268 plantations, 24 Indian villages, and many other details. About six months later, I counted again and got 1,374 plantations, and 29 Indian villages. So let’s say 1,300 plantations. Luckily, the portion of the map that shows Middlesex has only about 30 plantations. That part of the map is shown below, and I have identified 12 of the plantations. Two plantations I could not identify are upstream from Turks Ferry. There are also nine unknowns between Bushy Park and Brandon, and another seven upstream of Nesting. Please historians, check and correct my work; find the missing plantations and contact me. My email is robwarn189@gmail.com , or you can send your results to Larry Chowning at lchowning@ssentinel.com at the Southside Sentinel. I consider Larry the Middlesex County Historian. Everyone please comment on the big picture here. Surely, if the entire map is accurate about plantations and other details, don’t you think it may by one of the most significant or possibly the most significant single one page data base for this information from 1670. To date, I have found only one other author who has hinted about the importance of this. List of plantations shown on the partial map to the left are as follows. Plantations on the north shore of the Piankatank River: 1. Turks Ferry, 1664 (1608 Indian Village of 200-John Smith); 2. Grymesby, 166070, 1,000 acres, John Grymes; 3. Shooters Hill, late 1600s or earlier, 1,274 acres, Augustine Smith; 4. Mottrom’s Mount, 1642, 1,900 acres, John Mottrom; 5. Kemps, 1656, 1,100 acres, Edward Kemp. Plantations on the south shore of the Rappahannock River: 6. Bushy Park, 1650, 1,950 acres, William Churchill; 7. Brandon, 1642, 500 acres, Mr. Abbott, then Grymes; 8. Rosegill, 1650-54, 3,200 acres, Ralph Wormeley; 9. Hewick, 1660s, 1,350 acres, Christopher Robinson; 10. Weeks, 1665, 450 acres, Abraham Weeks; 11. Buckingham, 1654, 3,900 acres, Henry Corbin; 12. Nesting, 1649, 450 acres, Richard Parrott. Rob Warner is a member of Museums of Middlesex, Northern Neck Historical Society and Northumberland Historical Society.

Nationally known and acclaimed actor, writer and director, John Hardy, will bring his widely popular one-man adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” to the stage of Middlesex High School for two performances on Dec. 8, 2019. The Middlesex County Museum & Historical Society received a grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and along with financial support from the Kiwanis and Art in the Middle will collaboratively sponsor this production. This not-to-be-missed piece of holiday theatre will be enjoyed by all (although, not appropriate for children under 12). The Dec. 8 performances are scheduled for 1 and 3 p.m. The tickets ($15 for adults; $10 for students) will be sold at the door, beginning 30 minutes before each performance that lasts 75 minutes. The play follows the book, scene by scene. “Even though it is the same story as the book, the experience of actually watching an actor move through the events of a play is vastly different than simply hearing the story or reading the book. I get entirely caught up in the story as I am doing the play, and the audience goes right along with me.” The actor adapted the famous holiday story of ghosts and redemption into the one-man play starring himself which he has since performed in venues nationwide about 70 times. His production has been widely acclaimed by reviewers. “John Hardy’s one-man version of A Christmas Carol… a stunning work of theatrical virtuosity. Run to see this; take the whole family. You will be transfixed from the first moment…. This play brings the story to life…. I’ve seen this story many times but never like this… it will be as if you are seeing it for the first time”.  — THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL; Dec., 2012 “Masterfully crafted each role and brought them to life in a way that is always appropriately funny, sweet, or grave. At times it was easy to forget there was only one actor on stage the entire time.” (leedaily.com) “…  makes each role, no matter how small, memorable and distinct. He enthusiastically and precisely physicalizes not only the cringing Bob Cratchit but also the sneering, pipe-smoking cockney fence, Old Joe, as well as several other characters in between; each of them a delight of virtuoso acting.”   (unknown) “…the best Bob Cratchit I have ever seen, and I have seen many. It is the first time I’ve perceived Cratchit as a person rather than an embodied idea.”   (Reviewed by Robert McKinney) “…a pleasure to watch…, an awe inspiring performance…, riveting.”  (Virginia Commission for the Arts) A Virginia resident, Hardy’s 30-year career has included classical roles in theatres nationwide including Off-Broadway. He has directed over 100 productions, and his own 15 plays have been produced many times across the country and overseas. In inviting the public to this event, Museum Director Marilyn South and AIM President Celane Roden, said, “we are so excited about being able to bring this top-quality theatrical holiday production to Middlesex. We thank the Kiwanis Club for their purchase of 140 tickets to allow many youth to attend the show. We know that this show will be filled with an audience as eager as we are to enjoy Hardy’s adaption of the beloved holiday story.” Photo from Piedmont Virginia Community College Facebook posting.

In the spring of 2017, a cultural and historic resource survey was conducted on 81 properties in Saluda for the benefit of the Middlesex County Museum & Historical Society. The intent of the survey was to identify and document historic resources in Saluda which had been identified as a historic courthouse “village” by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. The assessment included the identification of historic buildings and structures within the defined area and recommended that the Saluda Historic District should be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At the March 5, 2019 Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board voted to support a cost-share budget request by the museum in the amount of $6,000 to match $6,000 from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) to designate portions of Saluda as an Honorary Historic District to be listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. On Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 at 7 p.m. in the Historic Courthouse located at 877 General Puller Highway in Saluda, a public information meeting will take place regarding the Saluda Historic District. Elizabeth Lipford, Architectural Historian for the Eastern Regional Preservation Office of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and Kristin Kirchen, architectural historian for Iron Dog Preservation, LLC  will provide the public with information about the current project to prepare a National Register nomination for the Saluda Historic District, a purely honorary designation. We encourage the public to attend to learn more about the process, meet the consultant and share their thoughts with the speakers. #HistoricDistrict #Saluda