Avis Carter Turner Growing up in Bassett: What was life like in Bassett?
I was born in my grandmother’s house on a hill in downtown Bassett. She rented two houses from the Bassett family. She lived in one house and kept boarders in the other. My mother and father were married in 1933 and lived with grandma to help with the boarders. My dad also worked for Bassett... Read More
Liberty Heights Swimming Pool
Do you remember when Martinsville had a concrete pool? By Virginia King MARTINSVILLE-How did people stay cool in the summers of the 1920s? At that point, Fairystone Park and Philpott Lake had not been built yet. Some may have ventured into the Smith River or nearby creeks. But when the Liberty Heights Pool was... Read More
The Role the Jewish Community Played in Martinsville
The Role the Jewish Community Played in Martinsville By Virginia R. King Many of us old-timers remember the Globman’s department store on Church Street. It was a favorite place to get everything from shoes to china. It was established by Abe Globman in 1915 on the courthouse square. He was a Jewish immigrant from Russia. ... Read More
Patrick Henry: His Life and Times in This Area
“Patrick Henry: His Life and Times in This Area” By Dr. Barry M. Dorsey An oil portrait of Patrick Henry hangs in the courtroom of... Read More
The Great Road Came Through Henry County
The Great Road Came Through Henry County By Dr. Barry Dorsey Transportation has always... Read More
A Story About a Boy Going to Town
A Story About a Boy Going to Town Doug Frith was an attorney who lived most of his life in Martinsville and Henry County. After retiring he wrote a book about his life to share with his family. Upon visiting the Heritage Center and Museum one day, he showed me his book and allowed me... Read More
Martinsville and Henry County: Three Major Job Transitions and the Future of Jobs
Martinsville and Henry County: Three Major Job Transitions and the Future of Jobs By Dr. Barry M. Dorsey From its inception in October 1776, Henry County—and the entire region–have undergone at least three major job transitions, along with several “lesser” changes. The region is still adjusting to the last of the changes. The Early Years... Read More
The Tobacco Industry in the City of Martinsville and Henry County
The Tobacco Industry in the City of Martinsville and Henry County By Steve Rucker In Henry County, tobacco was the chief agricultural crop for nearly two centuries and was the backbone of the economy for almost 150 years. Henry County also gained worldwide distinction for its plug tobacco manufacturing. Tobacco was considered the same as... Read More
The Building of a Unique Mill Town; Fieldale, Virginia
The Building of a Unique Mill Town; Fieldale, Virginia By Bea Bullard In the early 1900s, Marshall Field and Company wanted to expand their textile operations from North Carolina to another location. So they chose this beautiful valley of over 1,800 acres of corn fields with the Smith River, the railroad tracks of the Norfolk... Read More
Rodman and the Courthouse Cannons
Rodman and the Courthouse Cannons By Johnny E. Nolen In the year 1841, Thomas Jackson Rodman graduated from West Point Military Academy; number 7 in his class of 52. His first assignment from West Point was ordinance Corps officer at the U.S. Army Allegheny Arsenal in Pittsburg, PA. In 1844 he began working on... Read More