March 11 through the years

100 Years ago – 1926

Rev. Dr. Charles F. Swift of Philadelphia gave the lecture “Pillars and Perils of Democracy” at the Presbyterian Church. Swift was the superintendent of the Anti-Saloon League of Pennsylvania and was instrumental in that state’s passage of the Eighteenth Amendment (Prohibition).

75 years ago – 1951

Economy Shop in the Martinsville Hotel Building at 18 Fayette St. had a going-out-of-business sale. Ladies spring toppers were $4.98; dresses cost $3.99; ladies shoes cost 50 cents per pair, and panties were priced at 4 for $1.

50 years ago – 1976

Credit Women International Martinsville-Henry County held its monthly meeting at the Dutch Inn. The guest was Karen Washburn of National Homes Building Supply. Midge Huddle was nominated by members as “Credit Woman of the Year” and “Retailer of the Year.” Jeannette Arrington was the president. Other members included Pat Oakes of Globman’s Department Store, June Leftwich, Charlotte Hopkins and Ms. Rottenburry.

Patrick Henry Community College was taking registration for spring-quarter classes, including 10 classes in taxidermy, 10 in picture framing and matting, three in metric conversion, 10 in astronomy, seven in flower arranging and 10 in karate.

25 years ago - 2001

Area furniture makers were reducing employees’ work schedules. Bassett Furniture Industries, Hooker Furniture Corp. and Stanley Furniture Co. Inc. had been or would soon work less than 40 hours a week due to low sales. Stanley closed some departments in its Stanleytown plant for a week, a cutback which affected most of the 1,200 employees. The unemployment rate in Henry County was 5.6%, and in Martinsville, 7.9%.

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