The Nelson County Historical Society and Oakland Museum

05/22/2026

Mark Your Calendars - Upcoming Events at Oakland Museum

Sat June 27 - Natural History presentation with Susan McSwain 2 p.m.
Sat July 11 - Gov. Thomas Nelson & the Declaration of Independence Program with Tom Nelson, descendant of the governor.
Sat. Aug. 15 - Annual Hurricane Camille Commemoration with focus on Massies Mill with documentarians and residents.
Sat. Oct. 17 - Earl Hammer Jr. Day with Kami Cotler.
Oct. 22-24 - VA250 Mobile Museum at Oakland Museum

More details to come.

05/20/2026

Natural History Presentation at Oakland Museum on June 27

Award-winning naturalist Susan McSwain will speak on the woods, fields, and waters of times past in Nelson County and what has been lost along the way at Oakland Museum on Saturday, June 27 at 2 p.m.

McSwain, a resident of the county, was named Volunteer of the Year by the Virginia Master Naturalist state program, and was the recipient of the Sierra Club Piedmont Chapter Earth Flag Award in 2025.

“From the wilderness area on the Priest Mountain to the James River, this verdant land was once home to animals that now live on only in history books,” McSwain says.

Facts will be part of her presentation include the most dangerous animal to humans in Virginia in the past and whether or not this animal still exists today. She will answer such questions as: What sounds used to fill the night air? Whose footprints could be seen in the snow? When was the best time to go fishing in the James? Do we really have fewer birds now than before? Do names matter?

McSwain will also talk about a few success stories that have preserved or restored wildlife species that were on their way out in past years

The program is sponsored by the Nelson County Historical Society and will be repeated at 3 p.m. if warranted. Oakland Museum is located at 5365 Thomas Nelson Highway across from Tye River Elementary School. Admission is free. Donations are welcome.

05/01/2026

Nelson County Historical Homes and Properties Tour Set for Saturday, May 2

The Historical Homes and Properties Tour sponsored by the Nelson County Historical Society on Saturday, May 2, will feature five properties in the Piney River, Roseland, Massies Mill and Tyro communities, all for the first time on the tour which is held every two years.

Block tickets for all five properties are available for $25 at Oakland Museum, open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cash or credit. Tickets are also available online at https://nelsonhomestour.eventbrite.com for $28.52. Oakland is located at 5365 Thomas Nelson Highway across from Tye River Elementary School.

On the day of the tour block tickets will be available (cash or check only) at Tye Brook, Flat Farm, Pharsalia and A Bryant Family Farm. No individual property tickets will be sold. Lunch will be available at Oak Hill Baptist Church from 12 to 2 p.m. $15 suggested donation to the church.

Proceeds from the tour go to the Nelson County Historical Society to further programs and projects of the organization.

The tour includes:
• Tye Brook, a home, art studio and surrounding farm dating back to the mid-1800s, now owned by Robert and Pat Saunders;
• Flat Farm, built in 1820 and complemented by a guest house and spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, owned by Debbie and Carl Coffey;
• Oak Hill Baptist Church, founded in 1869 and now in a large church built by businessman Fulton Ligon in 1923 and featuring a library and museum with many artifacts;
• Pharsalia, a single-story home of the Massie family built in 1814 at the base of dePriest Mountain and a two-story back wing added onto in 1841, now owned by Florence Flippin Morgan and husband Richard;
• A Bryant Family Farm, dating back to 1890 with a Victorian home on a hilltop with sweeping views of a valley and the community of Bryant, owned by Rebecca Bryant Moyer and her husband Bruce.

Pharsalia

04/29/2026

With a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Flat Farm is among the Nelson County Historical Society’s Historical Homes and Properties Tour on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The original home was built in 1820 as a basic “two over two,” and over the years been expanded with appropriate additions as ownership has changed.

Near the main house is a distinctive log guesthouse with a display of many American tools and kitchen items. Artwork throughout the house and guesthouse showcase many local artists featuring historic buildings in the area. It is now owned by Debbie and Carl Coffey and is located on Dickie Road in Massies Mill.

Block tickets for all five properties are available for $25 prior to May 2 at Oakland Museum, open Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and this coming Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are also available online at https://nelsonhomestour.eventbrite.com for $28.52. Oakland is located at 5365 Thomas Nelson Highway across from Tye River Elementary School.

All proceeds from the tour go to the Nelson County Historical Society to further programs and projects of the organization.

04/26/2026

“A Bryant Family Farm” will be among the Nelson County Historical Society’s Historical Homes and Properties Tour on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Six generations have lived, played and worked on the farm since the 19th century. Today it is owned by Rebecca Bryant Moyer and her husband Bruce. The Victorian home is located on a beautiful hilltop with sweeping views of the valley in the community of Bryant. An outdoor kitchen, now connected to the house, has been preserved along with cherished antiques passed down through generations of the family.

Block tickets for all five properties are available for $25 (cash or credit card) prior to May 2 at Oakland Museum, open Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are also available online at https://nelsonhomestour.eventbrite.com for $28.52. Oakland is located at 5365 Thomas Nelson Highway across from Tye River Elementary School.

On the day of the tour, block tickets (only) will be sold at Tye Brook, Flat Farm, Pharsalia and A Bryant Family Farm. Cash or check only. Lunch will be available at Oak Hill Baptist Church for $15 suggested donation.

Proceeds from the tour go to the Nelson County Historical Society to further programs and projects of the organization

04/22/2026

Pharsalia, a single-story home of the Massie family built in 1814 at the base of dePriest Mountain and a two-story back wing added onto in 1841, now owned by Florence Flippin Morgan and husband Richard, is among the Nelson County Historical Society’s Historical Homes and Properties Tour on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pharsalia was built for William Massie, the youngest son of Major Thomas Massie, a distinguished veteran of the American Revolution. Located in the Tye River Valley at the base of the dePriest Mountain. It is one of five historic homes and properties in the tour.

Block tickets for all five properties are available for $25 prior to May 2 at Oakland Museum, open Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are also available online at https://nelsonhomestour.eventbrite.com for $28.52. Oakland is located at 5365 Thomas Nelson Highway across from Tye River Elementary School.

On the day of the tour, block tickets (only) will be sold at Tye Brook, Flat Farm, Pharsalia and Bryant Family Farm. Cash or check only. Lunch will be available at Oak Hill Baptist Church for $15 suggested donation.

Proceeds from the tour go to the Nelson County Historical Society to further programs and projects of the organization

04/21/2026

Oak Hill Baptist Church, rich in history and spirit, was founded in 1869 by African Americans in a hewed log building. As membership increased, a larger church was built in 1923 by local businessman Fulton Ligon. It is among the Nelson County Historical Society’s Historical Homes and Properties Tour on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Under the leadership of Othello Wilson, a talented musician and educator, its choir gained regional and national recognition. The Oak Hill Memorial Library/Museum opened in 2008 exhibiting many artifacts and memorabilia to showcase the rich history of the church and its members.
Block tickets for all five properties are available for $25 (cash or credit card) prior to May 2 at Oakland Museum, open Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are also available online at https://nelsonhomestour.eventbrite.com for $28.52. Oakland is located at 5365 Thomas Nelson Highway across from Tye River Elementary School.
On the day of the tour, block tickets (only) will be sold at Tye Brook, Flat Farm, Pharsalia and Bryant Family Farm. Cash or check only. Lunch will be available at Oak Hill Baptist Church for $15 suggested donation.
All proceeds from the tour go to the Nelson County Historical Society to further programs and projects of the organization.

04/19/2026

Tye Brook, a home dating back to mid-1800s, will be among the Nelson County Historical Society’s Historical Homes and Properties Tour on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The property was purchased from Nicholas Cabell by Edmund Wilcox in 1772. His grandson, James L. Hubbard and his wife Isaetta Randolph, the great-granddaughter of Thomas Jefferson, began construction of Tye Brook in 1859.

Tye Brook is currently the home of Robert E. Saunders of Saunders Brothers Orchards and Nursery and his wife Pat Saunders, a prominent local artist whose studio on the property will be open to visitors. It is one of five historic homes and properties in the tour.

Block tickets for all five properties are available for $25 prior to May 2 at Oakland Museum, open Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are also available online at https://nelsonhomestour.eventbrite.com for $28.52. Oakland is located at 5365 Thomas Nelson Highway across from Tye River Elementary School.

All proceeds from the tour go to the Nelson County Historical Society to further programs and projects of the organization.

04/10/2026

Nelson County Historical Homes and Properties Tour Set for Saturday, May 2

The Historical Homes and Properties Tour sponsored by the Nelson County Historical Society on Saturday, May 2, will feature five properties in the Piney River, Roseland, Massies Mill and Tyro communities, all for the first time on the tour which is held every two years.

Block tickets for all five properties are available for $25 prior to May 2 at Oakland Museum, open Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cash or credit. Tickets are also available online at https://nelsonhomestour.eventbrite.com for $28.52. Oakland is located at 5365 Thomas Nelson Highway across from Tye River Elementary School.

On the day of the tour block tickets will be available (cash or check only) at Tye Brook, Flat Farm, Pharsalia and A Bryant Family Farm. No individual property tickets will be sold. Lunch will be available at Oak Hill Baptist Church from 12 to 2 p.m. $15 suggested donation.
All proceeds from the tour go to the Nelson County Historical Society to further programs and projects of the organization.

The tour includes:
• Tye Brook, a home, art studio and surrounding farm dating back to the mid-1800s, now owned by Robert and Pat Saunders;
• Flat Farm, built in 1820 and complemented by a guest house and spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, owned by Debbie and Carl Coffey;
• Oak Hill Baptist Church, founded in 1869 and now in a large church built by businessman Fulton Ligon in 1923 and featuring a library and museum with many artifacts;
• Pharsalia, a single-story home of the Massie family built in 1814 at the base of dePriest Mountain and a two-story back wing added onto in 1841, now owned by Florence Flippin Morgan and husband Richard;
• A Bryant Family Farm, dating back to 1890 with a Victorian home on a hilltop with sweeping views of a valley and the community of Bryant, owned by Rebecca Bryant Morgan and her husband Bruce.

Biannual Spring Homes Tour in the Roseland and Massies Mill communities.

03/31/2026

Mark D. McQuarry, who works with soapstone mined in Schuyler, will give a presentation on his sculpture and the history of the soapstone quarry at Oakland Museum on Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m.

McQuarry began working with Virginia soapstone in 2000, working as a stone mason and creating stone art to sell at local farmers markets. He has created walkways, steps, art for gardens and interior of homes, using this lovely, local stone.

In 2008 he began working at the Alberene Soapstone Co., in Schulyer, Va., one of the oldest names in Virginia soapstone.

"I worked there for four years and reached the position of manager. We provided slab and finished items from swimming pool surround in California to acid storage room furnishings in schools in New York City," McQuarry says.

"I then left and began working for a local firm that fabricated and installed the soapstone in and around the Nelson County court building renovations. However, my desire to create art and utilize my training in fabrication of gravestones, led me to became a
entrepreneurial artist, working mainly with Virginia soapstone.
With gravestones and memorial benches now in place from Lynchburg to Charlottesville and soapstone art work all over the country, that started from natural stone found right here in Virginia."

Oakland Museum is located at 5365 Thomas Nelson Highway across from Tye River Elementary School. The event is free. Donations are always welcome.