July 6 in MHC through the years

100 Years ago – 1925

Rippe-Prager’s Woman’s Shop, which offered “lovely things at little prices,” advertised “New Felt Hats in White and Colors, Including some exceptional lovely shapes! And styles. We urge you to call at once and see them. Prices very Reasonable. Also, Voile Dresses For the Miss, also extra large sizes. Styles are stunning.” The shop was on Walnut Street.

75 years ago – 1950

This was the day, in 1950, when the town name “Bassett” became official. The U.S. Board of Geographic Names approved the name “Bassett” for use on official maps and papers. Before that, the name sometimes was given as “Bassetts”. Also made official was “Boones Mill,” which often also as called “Boone Mill” and “Boons Mill.”

Assistant City Manager John Hix Pharis was honored by the Martinsville Kiwanis Club for being the city’s longest-serving employee. He started out as an engineer at the municipal water filtration plant on Sept. 10, 1906. He also worked as the city hydro-electric power plant engineer, city electrician, superintendent of the municipal electric light and power plant and, for a short spell, as acting city manager before Kent Matthewson was hired.

50 years ago – 1975

The Fifth Annual Virginia-Carolina Fiddlers’ Convention was going on at Lawrence’s Lake near Leatherwood on Va. 619 just off Chatham Road. More than 1,000 people attended. Thirty-one bands performed, including The Henry County Partners, The Blue Grass Buddies, The Blue Grass Express and The Virginia-North Carolina Pickers. The convention was held on the Lawrence farm. Bill Lawrence was the president of Lawrence Distributing Company of Martinsville, which distributed beer. His nephew was Coleman Lawrence.

25 years ago - 2000

The restaurant and gift shop at Mabry Mill were just renovated. It was the first time the place had two new bathroom, a larger dining room and a bigger gift shop. It got new gray siding and a new roof. The entrances were made wheelchair accessible, and handicapped-accessible parking spaces were given ramps. That building next to the mill had been built in 1955.

Henry County School Superintendent Dr. J. David Martin announced his resignation.

— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.