Spring has sprung at the South Boston/Halifax County Museum, and the public is urged to visit the engaging, captivating and inviting exhibits now on display. Youngsters are invited to come join in on the fun while searching for Easter eggs and a hidden Barrack Obama that awaits discovery. And prizes abound for those successful in their hunt.

Winter scenes have transformed into spring as colorful blooming flowers and bright green trees have replaced the snow covered Village of Scottsburg conjuring up memories of time-honored spring traditions that have characterized Easter celebrations in the village of Scottsburg.

This exhibit continues to “wow” visitors with an interactive experience transporting them back to a simpler time when life centered around family, church and community in the tiny village of Scottsburg.

Visitors will learn more about the histories of Scottsburg as they stroll through the exhibit now decorated for the Easter holiday and spring season, and children will enjoy hunting for the tiny colorful Easter eggs hidden within the display. And those who find a hidden egg will receive a “surprise” reward before leaving the museum.

Make plans to visit the local museum and step into the past while viewing the lighted replicas of Scottsburg Baptist Church dating back to 1779, Bank of Scottsburg constructed in 1927, Louis Wimbish’s Country Store, the Scottsburg Post Office and Roy Reese’s Gulf Station and Country Store.

The visit continues with a step back in time to Scottsburg Methodist Church dating back to 1884, the Scottsburg Normal College constructed in 1893 and W. L. Stigall’s Esso that dates back to 1889.

Leaving the little village of Scottsburg, which incorporated into a town in 1925, museum visitors will get a true taste of country living in the spring as they venture into an outdoor setting complete with pastoral pond and grazing deer, vintage log cabin and tobacco growing in the fields.

As visitors leave the museum’s old timey Scottsburg village, they will have an opportunity to step into spring in Town Square where a wandering Civil War Soldier may greet them with a “how-do”.

Then they may join others for a family gathering complete with a sumptuous meal spread out on the Easter holiday-draped dining room table, with nearby organ at the ready to provide a tune or two.

Before leaving the museum, visitors are invited to visit the nearby South Boston Village and Town exhibit that offers a glimpse into its humble beginnings and history.

Those visitors who may have seen the exhibits earlier this year will want to come again to see what’s new and inviting this spring at their local museum including the latest exhibit that celebrates African American history highlighting a number of local “firsts” in the Black community.

The truth about Black History is that it’s just not a month, it’s a lifetime and lifestyle for African Americans, according to museum officials who have worked to create a yearlong exhibit celebrating the accomplishments of the local Black community of the past, entrepreneurs of the present and inventors of the future.

This celebration of African American history illustrates the determination of a people who refused to give up or give in to the status quo as they worked so hard to secure a better future for their families here in Halifax County.

Also on permanent display at the museum is the Crossing of the Dan exhibit that was once housed at The Prizery, the Native American Gallery, Military History of Halifax County, Old Time Country Store, Pioneer Medicine Exhibit, interactive Map of Halifax County, Halifax County’s Rail History and Tobacco History, just to name a few.

Youngsters are encouraged to search for the hidden Barrack Obama figure that moves around from place to place in the exhibit. Just let a museum representative know when Barrack has been spotted, and they will reward efforts with a prize.

The South Boston/Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts and History is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no cost to enter the museum and to enjoy all the displays and exhibits; however, donations are appreciated.

The museum is located at 1540 Wilborn Ave. in South Boston. For more information, call 434-572-9200.

Black History Month may be over, but at the South Boston-Halifax County
Museum of Fine Arts and History, the celebration of African American history
continues in its newest exhibit highlighting a number of local “firsts” in the Black
community.
The truth about Black History is that it’s just not a month, it’s a lifetime and
lifestyle for African Americans, according to museum officials who have worked to
create a yearlong exhibit celebrating the accomplishments of the local Black
community of the past, entrepreneurs of the present and inventors of the future.
This celebration of African American history illustrates the determination of a
people who refused to give up or give in to the status quo as they worked so hard
to secure a better future for their families here in Halifax County.
Their stories are full of love, struggles and sacrifices that will empower visitors
with determination and inspire today’s generation to never give up on their goals
and dreams.
The public is invited to visit this exhibit and learn more about such local African
American firsts as “Top” Harris, the first Black law enforcement officer in Halifax
County who was selected and deputized in the 1930s despite the discriminatory
nature of the police service in that era.
Supplied with a weapon, bullets, badge, uniform and handcuffs, Harris was given
full authority to make arrest of any citizen, including Whites, who broke the law
or exhibited misconduct on the premises he was patrolling.
Harris served at Black high school events and at sizeable Black gatherings
including conventions of the Banister Baptist Association, Sunnyside Baptist
Association and the Staunton River Baptist Association as well as other county
events.
The only catch was he served with a clear understanding that he would receive
no pay for his duties. However, oftentimes the groups he served would “pass the
hat” to raise monies to compensate him.

Following Harris, no other Black law enforcement officials worked in the county
until Charlie Reed Hill, who was hired as a patrolman in South Boston around
1959 or 1960, and he also is included as part of this exhibit.
Harris’ and Hill’s stories are just a few of the numerous stories being told in
“African American History: The First….”
Come check out the exhibit and learn more about the area’s first Black doctor,
dentist, policeman, lawyer, fireman, mayor, hospital board member, judge and
legislator.
Ever wonder about how an African American woman with strong ties to the
county unknowingly could have contributed to numerous important scientific
advances worldwide through use of her cervical cancer cells, the source of the
HeLa cell line? This museum exhibit can answer that question and many more.
Also discover where the first Black church, school and hospital in the area were
located.
As part of the yearlong African American exhibit now on display at the museum,
famous Black firsts in government and the world of sports also are highlighted.
Discover who became the first Black baseball, football, basketball and hockey
players on White national teams, and learn more about the first Black World
Champion boxer, NASCAR driver, PGA golfer and tennis champion.
Also featured as part of the African American history exhibit is 19 th century
furniture maker and Virginia native Thomas Day who proved to be a step ahead of
his time, not only as a true craftsman, but as an intuitive businessman and a man
of faith.
Born in 1812, Day was the son of free Blacks who operated a plantation in
Dinwiddie County and was educated by Quakers. Several pieces of his uniquely
crafted furniture are on display in this exhibit too.
Admission is free, so in the near future, make a plan to spend an hour or two at
the local museum located at 1540 Wilborn Avenue in South Boston. The museum
is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The public is invited to come by the South Boston-Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts and History to be a part of the Crossing of the Dan events on Thursday, February 9, 2023.

(See events listed above)

The museum is located at 1540 Wilborn Avenue in South Boston.

For more information, call 434-572-9200.

Mark your calendars we are doing it again in 2023! All proceeds benefit the South Boston-Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts and History.

The museum is located at 1540 Wilborn Avenue in South Boston.

For more information, call 434-572-9200.

Students from Mecklenburg Tri-County Head Start program recently visited the museum for a tour of all the exhibits and displays.

The group spent some time visiting all of the many museum exhibits including the Crossing of the Dan exhibit along with its Southern Continental Army complement and other favorites such as the Scottsburg exhibit room, Harrell Buggy, war room and the old tobacco barn, just to name a few.

The museum is located at 1540 Wilborn Avenue in South Boston.

For more information, call 434-572-9200.

The YMCA Silver Sneaker Active Adults Group visited the museum on Tuesday, January 17, for  a tour of all the exhibits and displays and to have lunch.

The group spent some time visiting all of the many museum exhibits including the Crossing of the Dan exhibit along with other favorites such as the Harrell Buggy, war room and the old tobacco barn, just to name a few.

At the end of their visit, the Silver Sneakers Adult Group enjoyed lunch at their local museum.

The museum is located at 1540 Wilborn Avenue in South Boston.

For more information, call 434-572-9200.

Young visitors from all across our community have been making their way to the local museum to learn more about what makes this place they call home so special.

Recently, groups of students from South Boston Elementary, Clays Mill Elementary, Meadville Elementary, Cluster Springs Elementary, Sinai Elementary, Sydnor Jennings Elementary and Scottsburg Elementary spent some time visiting all of the many museum exhibits.

They also toured the Crossing of the Dan exhibit along with other favorites such as the Harrell Buggy, war room and the old tobacco barn, just to name a few.

At the end of their visit, the students said they wanted to return very, very soon to see what’s new at their local museum.

The museum is located at 1540 Wilborn Avenue in South Boston.

For more information, call 434-572-9200.

It’s Christmas in the Village of Scottsburg and Town of South Boston at the South Boston/Halifax County Museum, and the public is urged to visit the newest engaging, captivating and inviting exhibits entitled “Holidays in the Village and Town” now on display.

For those who may not be able to visit during the museum’s regular hours of operation, the museum also will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18, to provide another viewing opportunity of the museum’s newest aesthetically pleasing miniature lit Scottsburg Village along with the Town of South Boston exhibit that are both now decorated for the Christmas holidays.

A winter season scene with snowy exhibits conjures up memories of by-gone holiday celebrations and time-honored traditions that have characterized Christmases in the village of Scottsburg and town of South Boston.

Now open to the public, the two latest exhibits will “wow” visitors with an interactive experience transporting them back to a simpler time when life centered around family, church and community in the tiny village of Scottsburg and town of South Boston.

Visitors will learn more about the histories of both Scottsburg and South Boston as they stroll through the two separate exhibits now decorated for the Christmas holidays.

Make plans to visit the local museum and step into the past while viewing the lighted replicas of Scottsburg Baptist Church dating back to 1779, Bank of Scottsburg constructed in 1927, Louis Wimbish’s Country Store, the Scottsburg Post Office and Roy Reese’s Gulf Station and Country Store.

The visit continues with a step back in time to Scottsburg Methodist Church dating back to 1884, the Scottsburg Normal College constructed in 1893 and W. L. Stigall’s Esso that dates back to 1889.

Leaving the little village of Scottsburg, which incorporated into a town in 1925, museum visitors will get a true taste of country living in the wintertime as they venture into a snowy outdoor setting complete with pastoral pond and grazing deer, vintage log cabin and tobacco.

As visitors leave the museum’s old timey Scottsburg village, they will have an opportunity to step into a snowy Town Square where a wandering Civil War Soldier and carolers may greet them “how-do” and happy holidays.

Then they may join others for a family gathering complete with sumptuous meal spread out on the holiday-draped dining room table, with nearby organ at the ready to provide a holiday tune or two.

Also in the museum this holiday season, Christmas is being celebrated in the nearby South Boston Village and Town exhibit that tells the story behind the merry holiday’s place on our calendar and why we celebrate as we do.

Coming to life is a wintery Christmas village in South Boston with a beautifully decorated Christmas tree like the ones that gained prominence in front parlors and village squares across the country in the mid-19^th century.

The two festive exhibits will continue to be on display through Christmas and New Year’s holidays with changes having been made to now transform the exhibits into the winter season. Those visitors who may have seen the exhibits earlier this year will want to come again to see what’s new and inviting this winter and Christmas holiday at their local museum.

The South Boston/Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts and History is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no cost to enter the museum and to enjoy all the displays and exhibits; however, donations are appreciated.

The museum is located at 1540 Wilborn Avenue in South Boston.

For more information, call 434-572-9200.

Antique bottle collectors and others with small collectibles will be able to buy, sell, trade and display antique and vintage bottles, glassware and other collectibles when the South Boston — Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts and History hosts the Bottle and Small Collectibles Fair on Saturday, Nov. 5.

The fair will be held from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. featuring antique and vintage bottles, glassware, crystal, china, porcelain, jugs, crocks and other relics. And a new addition this year will include a variety of small collectibles such as stamps, postcards, coins and other items.

This Bottle Collectors’ Fair is a collaborative effort of local bottle collectors among many of the vendors from the Commonwealth of Virginia. The collectors will be exhibiting and trading bottles ranging from the early colonial period until modern day. Many local bottles also will be on display during this museum fundraising event.

Exhibitors will set up from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, and exhibitors and dealers only will be allowed in the museum from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, prior to the event opening to the public at 10 a.m.

Admission will be $5 per person, and children under 12 will be admitted free with parent. All proceeds will benefit the museum.

Currently the museum is seeking exhibitors and vendors to participate in the Bottle and Small Collectibles Fair. The event is limited to 14 8-foot tables on a first come, first serve basis. The cost is $30 per table with a maximum of three badges, and vendors and exhibitors are asked to stay the entirety of the show. Vendors also are responsible for their own table during the show.

For more information, interested exhibitors and vendors are urged to call Paul Smith at 572-9200 or 724-986-6416 or send an email to info@sbhcmuseum.org.

Vendors wishing to pay by credit card may call the museum at 572-9200. Checks may be made payable to SBHCM and must be mailed to P.O. Box 383, South Boston, VA 24592 no later than Nov. 2.

For the past 40 years, people have visited the South Boston-Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts and History in South Boston and left with an innate sense of discovery, a flash of joy and happiness and a newfound connection to the place they call home, its people and its past.

It’s that emotional response felt at the local museum that keeps people coming back, and it is all thanks to the vision of the museum’s early founders who persisted and eventually brought this vision to reality on July 11, 1982.

On Sunday, July 17, from 2 to 4 p.m., the museum celebrated its 40^th anniversary with a reception featuring a time of memory-sharing sparking that same joy and wonder. Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to visit the cultural, natural and art exhibits including The Crossing of The Dan, the History of South Boston and many others that honor and educate about our area.

It indeed was a festive time of celebration when many in the community came together to learn more about the area they call home and better understand the museum’s vision and passion that has served to excite and teach visitors while continuing to hold strong for four decades.

Those attending this special afternoon celebration enjoyed a time of conjuring up fond memories, renewing old friendships and making new ones while enjoying delicious refreshments served by museum volunteers.

Charlotte, a matronly spider and the hero of the E.B. White classic, “Charlotte’s Web,” would be proud of the attention she’s getting at the Halifax County-South Boston Museum of Fine Arts and History with an exhibit showcasing the famous spider who, with the help of subtle messages weaved in her web helped save the life of one of her barnyard friends, in this case Wilbur, the pig, the runt of his litter destined for slaughter.

The exhibit is open to the public beginning Wednesday, June 22 and runs through the summer, in addition to scavenger hunts conducted by museum volunteers both for pre-schoolers and older children.

Charlotte’s Web tells the story of Wilbur and his mentor and friend Charlotte, a brown barn spider who takes Wilbur under her wing and helps him avoid the ax by weaving certain words into her web, such as “radiant”, “some pig”, “humble” and “terrific”.

A brave young farm girl, Fern, originally fights to save Wilbur, allowing him to see another day, and with the tutelage of Charlotte, Wilbur eventually wins a prize at the fair, completing his journey from runt of the litter to champion hog.

Charlotte, by this time older and nearing death, leaves her last batch of eggs in the barn, with several of her prodigy hatching to care for Wilbur.

The barnyard as depicted in the book brings various barnyard animals to life, including Wilbur, Golly the goose and Templeton the rat, all of whom are included in the exhibit, as well as other barnyard animals, such as cows, roosters, goats and geese.

Carolyn Shortt and other museum volunteers Linda Daniels, Pam Smith and Karen Taylor, helped bring the story to life at the museum.  She read “Charlotte’s Web” to grade school children as well as other E.B. White books authored by White including “Stuart Little” and “The Trumpet of the Swan”.

“Come see how Charlotte saves Wilbur, how Fern feeds Wilbur and how Golly tries to spell, and watch the moving story of Charlotte and how she sacrificed to save Wilbur’s life,” Shortt explained in promoting the exhibit.

Shortt added that kids of all ages will be caught up in Charlotte’s web, and parents and grand-parents as well will recognize the lessons the book teaches such as perseverance, loyalty and respect.

A farm boy himself, White may have gotten the idea for Charlotte’s Web after watching a spider spin a web and create an egg site on his farm, and the story has withstood the test of time.