Who We Are
The South Boston-Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts & History is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization supported by voluntary contributions from members of the community, local businesses, and those who share a common zeal for preserving Southern heritage. Nearly all the individuals staffed at the museum are volunteers, who generously donate their time and energy to ensure that the museum offers a friendly and enjoyable atmosphere for our visitors to experience.
Our Mission
The South Boston-Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts and History is operated for the collection, exhibition, and preservation of antiques, works of art, books, and physical items which are historically significant to the past, present and future heritage of South Boston, Halifax County and nearby counties. The museum provides educational materials and opportunities for youth, adults and senior citizens. It further performs and encourages research of this area, publishes exhibits and preserves the results of such research.
Our History
Founded by locals upon a fierce passion for our region’s proud and unique history, the museum first opened on July 11, 1982 at 515 Yancey Street in South Boston, VA.
Since then, the museum has continued to grow, first by moving to the former home of G.J. Hunt at 801 North Main Street and then by finding a permanent home at its present location of 1540 Wilborn Avenue.
After extensive renovations, the museum officially opened the doors to its new home on December 7, 1997. With more than 15,000 square feet of space, the museum has had plenty of room to grow and prosper since its debut in the late 1990s, and we plan to continue this trend as we blaze forward into the future.
How We Operate
As a non-profit organization, the museum operates with a sustainability plan that includes local government funding, annual fundraisers, corporate sponsorship, and tax-deductible contributions from the community. The financial support provided by sources such as these cannot be understated. It is what enables us to maintain our admission-free policy and what allows us to continue providing new displays, exhibits and events for the community to enjoy as a source of education, research, and community engagement.