Welcome to the news and events page for the Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia. Here you'll find the latest updates, announcements, and happenings from our organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of our region. Whether it's an upcoming program exploring a fascinating chapter of our past, a special exhibit showcasing local artifacts and archives, or a community event bringing residents together to experience history firsthand, this page is your gateway to staying informed about all the ways the Historical Society works to educate and engage with our community. We invite you to check back regularly as we share news and details on the various programs and activities offered throughout the year.
WINTER:
We will close on December 15, 2024 and reopen on February 4, 2025. (If you plan on visiting us during the Winter months, we will be open by appointment only. To arrange an appointment, contact the office@hswcv.org)
INCLEMENT WINTER WEATHER:
The library will be closed during inclement winter weather following the Washington County Virginia School System snow day closing schedule.
On Saturday, July 26th, 2025, Charlie Barnette, an expert in local cemetery history and cemetery maintenance, will host a seminar on headstone and monument cleaning at the Sinking Spring Cemetery in Abingdon, Virginia. Charlie will discuss and demonstrate the proper way to clean monuments and headstones without damaging them. Charlie has been doing this for many years in Washington County, and if you see a cemetery with an old headstone which has been newly cleaned, it’s probably one of Charlie’s projects. Charlie will host the seminar at 11:00 AM and will hold a second, continuing seminar later in the day during the Cemetery Tour from 4:30 to 7:15 PM. Please contact the Society at office@hswcv.org or 276-623-8337 or contact Charlie at brisbotls@hotmail.com if you have any questions about the seminar.
To reach the cemetery from Interstate 81 in Virginia, take Exit 17, Abingdon, Virginia. Turn North off the exit onto Cummings St. After 0.8 miles, turn left onto W. Main Street for 0.2 miles. Turn right onto Russell Rd. NW for a few hundred feet. The cemetery is located behind the Historical Society building and there will be free parking either along the street or in the Society parking lot.
In response to recent inquiries, the Historical Society has put together a headstone cleaning kit. The kit has been assembled by our resident expert on cemeteries and headstones, Charlie Barnette, who has extensive experience in the repair and restoration of cemetery monuments. The kit contains a one quart spray bottle of D2 Biological Solution, a brush, a pair of gloves, two toothbrushes, two picking sticks, and an instruction sheet. The price is $55 per kit plus tax. It is currently available as an in-house sale at the library. You can stop by the library to pick it up. At this point we aren't offering the kit as an online purchase but if you would like to place an order by phone, please call the office at 276-623-8337 or send an email to office@hswcv.org. If you need the kit shipped then you will need to contact us before buying the kit to work out the details and shipping costs. Also, if you would like to discuss how to use the kit with Charlie you can bring it to the seminar and/or contact Charlie by email at brisbotls@hotmail.com We are excited about this new offering and hope there will be enough interest to keep the kit in stock.
On Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 4:30 to 7:15 PM, the Historical Society will be hosting a Living History Tour of the Sinking Spring Cemetery in Abingdon, Virginia. In the 1770's, the cemetery was established by the Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church on 11 acres of land in Abingdon. The land was purchased by the Church from Dr. Thomas Walker, an explorer and wealthy land speculator who was promoting the development of the Town of Abingdon. A stroll in the cemetery takes you back through to the earliest history of the Town and County. During the Living History Tour, a guide will join you and a small group for a walk by historical interpreters in period costume who will tell stories of past local residents.
Tickets will go on sale at the cemetery at 4:30PM, July 26, 2025 at $5 per person at the gate (cash only). Tours will begin at 4:45 PM with the last tour starting at 7:15 PM. Each tour will last about 45 minutes to an hour. The content of the tour is appropriate for families; however, very small children may become tired or bored. There is nothing scary about the presentations or the location. Since the ground is uneven, we recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. To reach the cemetery from Interstate 81 in Virginia, take Exit 17, Abingdon, Virginia. Turn North off the exit onto Cummings St. After 0.8 miles, turn left onto W. Main Street for 0.2 miles. Turn right onto Russell Rd. NW for a few hundred feet. The cemetery is located behind the Historical Society building and there will be free parking either along the street or in the Society parking lot.
The Historical Society’s popular fundraiser featuring Bill Barker as Thomas Jefferson is returning to Abingdon in 2025, and this time, he’s bringing a special guest. Conversation with Jefferson introduces a younger version of Jefferson, creating a unique dialogue between the elder statesman and his younger self. But this conversation goes beyond just an exchange between two figures; it also highlights Jefferson’s ability to engage socially with others.
Not only will the two versions of Jefferson debate and challenge each other on various topics, but they will also involve the audience, as if they were visiting Abingdon and casually dropped into The Martha to chat with the local community. This event offers a rare opportunity to witness and interact with world-class historical performers in Southwest Virginia, while exploring how the issues of Jefferson’s time still resonate in 2025.
The event will be held in the historic ballroom of The Martha Inn and Spa across the street from Barter Theatre. Due to the size of the ballroom, there will be two performances, one the evening of Sunday, July 27, 2025 and a second the evening of Monday, July 28, 2025. With this schedule and venue, the audience will be seated close to the performers, and can fit either event into their schedules. Each program will run about 90 minutes, and the evening program will include a cash bar between 6 PM and 7 PM. Tickets are $25 per person, and each paid adult may bring a child 12 or under at no additional cost. Please contact the Society about further event details at 276-623-8337 or send an email to office@hswcv.org. Tickets will become available online in 2025 and at the door until sold out.
The Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia is creating a central location for people planning a family reunion in Washington County. Using our website, you will be able to locate local venues, lodging, and food services that can offer a warm welcome to your family and an introduction to the historic sites and scenes in our region. If you are a business and would like to be listed on the FAMILY REUNION RESOURCE PAGE, please fill out the following APPLICATION and email it to office@hswcv.org.
