Afghan Stitch Potholder Class

The Giles County Historical Society and Giles Arts Council present an Afghan Stitch Potholder Class taught by Evelyn Harris on April 9th and 16th from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. The Afghan stitch worked with a long Afghan crochet hook, creates a very dense fabric grid that can also be embellished with cross-stitch needlework. The Afghan stitch is created in a two-step process where during the first pass, called “forward,” the loops are created and gathered on the hook. During the second pass, called “return,” the loops are connected and dropped from the hook.

The Afghan stitch is known by different names in different parts of the world including Tunisian crochet, tricot crochet (France), hook knitting, Shepherd’s knitting, railroad knitting (England), and hakking (Norway). It is likely that the Afghan stitch was derived from hooked knitting in Africa and Central Asia where two hooked needles similar to crochet hooks were used to create fabrics and patterns. The stitch and simple tool and supplies may have been an easy way for sailors and shepherds to make clothing. As with many needle arts, Tunisian crochet became popular in the Victorian era and appears in publications of the times.

Come join us on April 9th and 16th and learn a new needle art! Class fee is $10. E-mail info@gilescountyhistorical.org or call 921-1050 to register.

Genealogy Workshop - April 10th

Did your ancestors live in Giles County? Are you searching for genealogical documentation on a southwest Virginia line? Thinking about forming a family assocation? Need to know the basics of internet research? Ever wonder if DNA testing can solve your brick wall? The George Pearis Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Giles County Historical Society are hosting a Genealogy Workshop on April 10th from 9am to 4pm at the Giles County Historical Society to answer these questions and more. Pre-registration is required. Topics include:

Researching Giles County Court Records. Local historian Ruth Blevins, the driving force behind such publications as Giles County Virginia, History – Families, Volumes I and II will offer many practical research suggestions on the records of Giles County.

Family Associations, Connections To Past And Present. Mabel Peters, Past President of the Snidow Family Association, will share ideas on how one family organization works at preserving the past, and promoting family history as well as creating and maintaining connections to distant relatives.

How To Find Your Ancestors Online. Mary Jane Burn, will explain the ease of online research, and the simple tools necessary to get you started. Learn how to trace your family tree from the comforts of home. Review what documentation is available for free as well as through subscriber services.

DNA – Its Relevance In Today’s Genealogy. Pat McCracken will discuss the relevance of DNA testing in conjunction with the genealogical paper trail.

Registration of $15 includes lunch, genealogy exhibits, and tours of the Andrew Johnston House. To register, call 540-922-2527, 540-921-3510, or 540-921- 4496 prior to April 3rd. For more information or if you have questions about Giles County genealogy, contact the Giles County Historical Society at 540-921-1050, info@gilescountyhistorical.org, on the web at www.gilescountyhistorical.org, or on Facebook.

The Giles County Historical Society works to perpetuate interest in the history of Giles County; provides a repository for Giles County family histories, documents, and artifacts; assists those interested in genealogical research; and voices concerns and pursues the preservation of any and all endangered Giles County history including artifacts, sites, and records.

Victorian Hair Wreath - a little creepy by today's standards!

Discover Giles County Historical Society article from the Virginian Leader, March 17, 2010

There are a number of items in the Giles County Historical Society’s Museum that really capture people’s curiosity. One such object is the Victorian hair wreath made from hair of the Hughes sisters of Wabash. Though a little creepy by today’s standards, making wreaths and jewelry of hair was quite common for middle- and upper-class women in the mid- to late-1800s.

Women typically had a container called a hair receiver on their dressing tables that they would fill with hair collected when they brushed their hair. The hair could then be wound around wires to form various types of flowers. Hair colors and flower textures created variety in the completed “fancy work.” The wreaths were usually made in a horseshoe shape with the most recently made flowers placed in the center at the bottom of the wreath and moved upward as new flowers were made. As hair wreaths were often made from the hair of deceased family members, it makes sense that the most recently deceased would be at the center of the wreath.

Rather than being a mourning wreath, it appears that the Hughes sisters made this wreath from their own exceptionally long hair - in the Historical Society’s collections is a photograph of Minnie Hughes with hair described as 4 feet 8 inches long. Minnie Hughes later married Dr. Frank Anderson, Wabash’s doctor and keeper of the community’s telephone switchboard. The Anderson’s granddaughter, Ernestine Boothe, donated the hair wreath to the Historical Society.

Behind the Scenes at the Museum

Discover Giles County Historical Society article from the Virginian Leader, March 10, 2010

One of our goals at the Giles County Historical Society is to manage our collections like a 21st century museum. The impressive exhibits that you see when you visit larger museums like the Smithsonian or museums in Roanoke or Richmond are only half of the story. Behind the scenes, their collections not currently on display are all carefully stored in archival boxes on archival shelving in climate-controlled spaces. They have large staffs who are responsible for creating exhibits, maintaining collection records, accepting donations, and keeping all artifacts in the best possible condition.

At the Giles County Historical Society, as in many museums in smaller communities, we have several part-time employees and volunteers trying to manage the collections in a similar manner, but on a much smaller scale with a much smaller budget. Collections management has been an ongoing project for the Historical Society. We’ve been the recipient of grants from the Community Foundation of the New River Valley, National Endowment for the Humanities, and the American Association of Museums to purchase collections management software and hire consultants to help us understand how to improve our processes.

The first phase of our collections management project has been to organize over 10 years of collections paperwork and match the paperwork with the corresponding objects in the collection. Each object is then photographed and information about the objects entered into the computer. As we work through this process we will also be applying for grants for additional archival storage, updating our collections management policies and forms used for donations, and creating new exhibits. The collections management project is ongoing and likely will not be complete for several years. Remember, the next time you visit the Giles County Historical Society, that there is a lot going on behind the scenes!

New Board of Directors Sworn In

Discover Giles County Historical Society article from the Virginian Leader, February 10, 2010

The 2010-2011 Giles County Historical Society Board of Directors was elected and installed at the Annual Meeting on January 10th at Anna’s Restaurant. Outgoing President John Hale presided over the meeting which included a presentation by Dr. Dick Newton of Roanoke about his father’s medical practice in Narrows.

The Historical Society’s new president, J. R. Peek, is a newcomer to Giles County. Born and raised in Florida, J. R. is a veteran of the Air Force and a graduate of Lake-Sumter Community College. He owned his own landscape company before working for, and ultimately retiring from, Sarasota City and County governments.

J. R. and his wife Joan moved to Pearisburg in 2006 when they fell in love with the area. J. R. says, “Two things struck me about this area when we first came here. First the people. The attitude here is relaxed and friendly. People are willing to help anyone who needs it. The next thing is the wonderful weather that the local natives take for granted. I am trying to keep it a secret so that a lot of retirees do not discover it and drive the prices up. It is a wonderful place to live."

J. R. spends much of his time volunteering in Pearisburg and Giles County. In addition to his volunteer activities at the Historical Society, J. R. is a member of the New River Valley Senior Services, Inc. Board of Directors, Board of Directors of the New River Valley Agency on Aging, the Giles County RSVP Advisory Council, and a member of the Giles County Rotary Club. He is also a volunteer for RSVP and assists New River Community Action when necessary.

J. R. looks forward to his term as President of the Giles County Historical Society Board of Directors and the chance to actively help preserve the history of Giles County for future generations and get more residents involved in Historical Society activities and support.

Winners of the Festival of Trees Christmas Tree Decorating Contest

Discover Giles County Historical Society article from the Virginian Leader, December 16, 2009

Winners were announced December 5th for the Festival of Trees Christmas Tree Decorating Contest in the Andrew Johnston House. Judges Pete Ballard, Kay Baldwin, and Bonnie Butler chose three top prizes in the adult category. First prize went to the New River Red Hat Belles for their tree with purple and red decorations. The judges said that the tree represented having fun and clearly showed the enthusiasm of the group. The Pearisburg Garden Club won second place. The judges said the tree showed the heart of gardening in mountain areas and particularly liked the antique seed packets and the assorted gifts under the tree. Third place went to Pearisburg Junior Woman’s Club with the judges citing the importance of remembering our service men and women at Christmas time and all year around.

The judges were unanimous in awarding special recognition to Girl Scout Troops 2286, 767, and 110 with their tree representing the Girl Scouts of the United States. The tree features a gold star, lights, and ribbon representing the Girl Scout Gold Award; daisies representing Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts and namesake for the first level of Girl Scouts, the Daisies; white pearls representing the set of pearls Ms. Low sold in 1912 to start and finance the Girl Scouts; and ornaments of famous women in history. The thought and creativity in the Girl Scout’s tree make it eye catching and informative to all.

An exhibit of antique toys complements the tree exhibit. Toys have historically helped children to mimic the activities of adults. Trains, dolls, tea sets, trucks, and hobby horses all help children to pretend they are adults and learn how the larger world operates. While today’s toys are childproof and often imagination-free, the antique trucks and trains on display were made of cast iron, metal, and wood and dolls had porcelain heads and handmade clothing. Children learned to cherish the few toys they had and their vivid imaginations invented worlds of play. Bring the family to see the exhibit and share your childhood with them!

Our New Cookbook is Here!

Discover Giles County Historical Society article from the Virginian Leader, November 25, 2009

Though it seems that Christmas is thrust upon us earlier and earlier each year, Thanksgiving is the traditional start of the holiday season. Family, friends, festivities, and food are all front and foremost this time of year. What would Thanksgiving be without turkey, gravy, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and any number of other family favorites? And Thanksgiving leads into Christmas cookie season: gingerbread men (and women), sugar cookies, linzer, shortbread, molasses – oh my!

By all accounts, the last family member to live in the Andrew Johnston House, Dr. Harvey Green Johnston II’s wife, Marjorie Johnston, was a wonderful cook. The kitchen that you see in the house today is the kitchen she expanded in the 1940s to provide more space for cooking, baking, and visiting with friends and family. Many of the cabinets and drawers are still filled with Mrs. Johnston’s dishes, cookware, and utensils. There is even a junk drawer! Fortunately for us, her cookbooks and recipe boxes are in one of the cabinets as well so we can try some of her favorite recipes.

Just in time for Christmas, the cookbook, A Taste of History: Favorite Recipes from the Giles County Historical Society, will tempt your taste buds with recipes from Mrs. Johnston and current and past members of the Historical Society. Historical Society board member, Ellen Woodyard, the driving force behind the cookbook project, included a number of Mrs. Johnston’s recipes in the book. With over 280 recipes, there is sure to be a recipe that can become a new holiday tradition in your house this year!

Stop by our Museum Shop to purchase your copy or use the order form at our website.