Gentlemen, start your engines!

This booklet was compiled in 2003 for an exhibit set up by the Halifax County-South Boston Museum focusing on the success of the local racing industry in Halifax County, Virginia. Because of numerous requests for reprints, the Halifax County Historical Society is making this publication available again. The soft bound edition features a collection of newspaper articles beginning in 1957 and running through 1967. Gentlemen, start your engines! is available via our website publications form, as well as at the Halifax County-South Boston Museum, the South Boston-Halifax County Visitor Center and the Peddler’s Market.

Softbound, 8.5 by 11 inches, 110 pages. Cost is $10.00.

Former speaker pens another book for Colonial Williamsburg.

Paul Aron, writer and editor for Colonial Williamsburg’s Publications Department (which also publishes the CW’s quarterly Trend and Tradition magazine), has recently published “American Stories” which reveals how not-always-truthful historical tales/rumors have shaped history. Aron admits that when we recognize that some of the anecdotes about American history are untrue or incomplete, we can still find them worth acknowledging or celebrating. For example, stories about George Washington being “unable to tell a lie” although hard to really believe, still works to make us proud to be Americans.

Aron’s previous books include “We Hold These Truths” and “Founding Feuds.” The latter was the publication Aron discussed when speaking to the Halifax County Historical Society in June 2017.

Annual Meeting Sunday, October 18, 2:00 p.m.

Halifax County Historical Society’s annual meeting took place Sunday, October 18, 2020, 2:00 p.m., at historic Woodlawn (6011 Clover Road, Clover, VA), home of Society members Jeanene and Mark Krogh. Following a short business meeting, Scott Krogh, an apprentice joiner in the Joiner Shop with Historic Trades and Skills in Colonial Williamsburg, gave a presentation. 

 Scott, dressed in period costume for his talk, is a 2002 graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in history and political science. He is currently in a 6-year apprenticeship to become a Journeyman. 

 During his presentation, Scott discussed the trade of joinery in 18th century Williamsburg and the training, skills and techniques of individuals who practiced the trade. He also had some of the tools and materials used by early joiners and demonstrated how they used these implements. His topic covered the many skills present-day colonial craftsmen still use. 

 “Joiners,” he explained, “construct and install architectural finish work for houses including six-panel doors, window sashes and crown molding. Their work “dresses up” the home, which in turn shows off the wealth and style of the owner. Joiners also build functional furniture such as kitchen tables, corner cupboards and food safes.” 

 Scott and several of the tradesmen he works with were recently featured in American Period Furniture, the Journal of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers, showing one of their recent projects—the construction of a corner cupboard for Ferry Farm, the reconstructed boyhood home of George Washington. The property, acquired by the George Washington Foundation in 1996, is located in Stafford County on the Rappahannock River. The reconstructed house shows off the talents of many joiners and furniture makers selected by the Foundation. 

 Scott worked at Jamestown Settlement on the replicas of 17th century ships prior his position at the Joiner shop in Colonial Williamsburg. He and his wife and their two-year daughter reside in Williamsburg and when not working in the colonial area, he enjoys spending time with his family, WWII reenacting, woodworking, and collecting records and antiques.  

NOTICE: Due to COVID 19 restrictions, our May 17, 2020 spring meeting has been postponed. Susan Stewart and Aaron Kelly, who were to present a program on the history of their home, the former Episcopal Rectory (Circa 1845), Mountain Road, Halifax, will give their presentation at a later date. Please check this site for more information.

Local photographer and Halifax County Historical Society Board member, Andrew Bohanon, is known for his photographs of historic places so it is most appropriate he would share his photographic collection of early schools in a 78-page booklet, “Schools From The Past,” recently published by the Society. While teaching at Halifax County Senior High School, Bohanon was asked to copy photos of 135 early schools in the county, some dating to the early 1930s. The old photos were in black and white, but thanks to Bohanon’s ability to copy old photographs (this was before digital imaging), these photos are now available for all to see. 

Printed in a limited number, this booklet will bring back many memories for citizens whose parents may have received their early education in these now, mostly non-existing buildings. Because many of the former schools were not identified, some may be misidentified in this publication, while some have no identification at all. The Society welcomes any information the public may have to help correctly identify the schools or to add information and/or anecdotes about a school.  

“Schools From The Past” is for sale for $10 at the South Boston-Halifax County Visitor Center and the Peddlers’ Market in Halifax.

1930 VIRGILINA, VA FIRE TRUCK ornament
now available for $25

Issue Date 2019
Approximately 5” by 3 1/2”

In the spring of 1951, three large fires destroyed almost three-quarters of the town of Virgilina, Virginia. The town had no fire-fighting equipment and responding fire trucks from nearby towns arrived too late to prevent the fires from leveling buildings. An article about the fires appeared in the The Washington Daily News and was read by the chief of a volunteer fire department in Hillandale, Maryland. That department had a 1930 model Brockway truck that was not being used, so they decided to offer it to Virgilina. The mayor sent a group to pick up the truck. They returned with the vehicle and proudly lodged it in an abandoned tobacco warehouse—which became the first Virgilina Volunteer Fire Station. The 1930s truck was sold in the late 1950s as firemen upgraded equipment, but the town was able to purchase the old truck a few years ago, bringing an important part of history back to the town.

New siding on CHAFFIN HOUSE

With its new siding, the Chaffin House now has a fresh, more polished look! A new heating and air conditioning system has also been installed and other interior improvements are underway. The Society is still working to raise funds to help with painting, the purchase of new shutters and additional landscaping. More manpower is always needed and if you’d like to volunteer, contact the Society’s president, Barbara Bass, at bdbass@cstone.net. Better yet, make a donation to the Chaffin House Capital Campaign! Make your check payable to Halifax County Historical Society and mail to Halifax County Historical Society, P. O. Box 601, South Boston, VA 24592. We haven’t reached our goal of $150,000 yet, but thanks to those who have donated, the Society is making our new home look much more welcoming in the community.