Botetourt County Historical Society, Inc. and Museum

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Fincastle, VA
Botetourt County Historical Society, Inc. and Museum

HOURS : Monday thru Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m. (540) 473 - 0148

06/17/2026

Join us for our June "History After Dark" on Wednesday, the 24th! We welcome Michael Hudson, Director of Historic Smithfield, who will talk about "The Ella Jamerson Affair" - what is the Ella Jamerson Affair, you ask?...

A late-night discovery. A body on a train. A scandal that shocked Virginia.
What began with the death of a Lynchburg woman soon became one of the Commonwealth's most controversial stories....

Join us on the roof beginning at 6:00pm on June 24th to hear more!

06/16/2026

Be sure to check out the wonderful events happening later this week in honor of Juneteenth!

06/12/2026

In order to empower people who were doing laundry and cooking meals, this little leather booklet was published by Chicago Flexible Shaft Co. The copyright is 1924. The title is “How to Launder Clothes Properly” by Katherine Miller and “How to Cook 49 Dishes at the Table” by Mrs. Helen Ruggles. Inside the cover it says it “is only supplied without charge to purchasers of Sunbeam Iron or Sunbeam Toaster and Table Stove”. The cost of $.50 cents a century ago would be about $9.37 today because of historical inflation. In the 1920’s, washing clothes and cooking were not a quick chore.

This well worn book possibly came from Housman’s store which used to be where the registrar’s office is now in Fincastle. It was donated to the Botetourt Museum of History & Culture in 2024 by Ed Holt and came from the estate of Catharine Stoner Peaslee. More artifacts from Botetourt’s early farming days are now being displayed.

06/06/2026

Today's the day! The weather is looking beautiful for our 3rd annual "Paint Fincastle"!

Artists, please stop by the museum to check-in and grab some breakfast!

Visitors, please enjoy a day strolling the streets of historic Fincastle and watching our artists paint plein air throughout the day! And there is a reception at the museum from 3-4:00 that is free and open to the public, where these finished masterpieces will be on display!

06/05/2026

This large poster was made by the Botetourt Chamber of Commerce for their 75th anniversary (1945-2020). It was produced by Berryfield Inc. under the creative direction of Grant Holmes and Tom Field. All of the watercolors reproduced on the poster were painted by Brook Ludy (BrookLudyArt.com). The towns shown are: Glen Wilton, Eagle Rock, Oriskany, Springwood, Buchanan, Arcadia, Fincastle, Troutville, Lithia, Nace, Daleville, Cloverdale and Laymantown. Some of the illustrations show a concert, golf, hiking, hunting, dining, fishing, the Fincastle Courthouse, Buchanan Theatre and Troutville park.

The Chamber’s poster is displayed in the Botetourt Museum of History & Culture and is on sale for $15.

06/01/2026

It's officially June! Which means Paint Fincastle is just a few days away! Artists, there's still time to register to participate if you haven't already! And visitors, please come out and watch the artists at work throughout our historic town!
And be sure to come to the reception at the museum from 3-4:00, it's free and open to the public!

05/30/2026

If you haven't yet - there's still time to see "A Most Horrid Conspiracy"!

Discover the story of Botetourt resident, John Wyatt and how a barrel of rum played a pivotal role in early Revolutionary Virginia

Tickets are available through Attic Productions

05/29/2026

May is national historic preservation month but it is everyday at the Botetourt County Historical Society, Inc.’s Botetourt Museum of History & Culture. This “Farm Master” single use milk pasteurizer is now on display and will be part of an upcoming agricultural exhibition.
It was manufactured by Sears, Roebuck and CO with their pledge of “superior quality”. The tabletop machine is stainless steel and easy to clean. It had 60 cycles at 300 watts and used 110-120 volts AC.
This artifact was donated in 2023 by Kate Loope. It was found on the Williamson dairy barn property located at the corner of Wheatland Road and Route 11. Home milk pasteurizers are sold today and still being used!

05/28/2026

Today's the daaayyyy!!! "A Most Horrid Conspiracy" debuts at Attic Productions this evening! We cannot wait for you all to see this show! The wonderful folks at Attic have worked so hard to bring this unique story to life ahead of the 250th and we hope everyone that comes out enjoys!

This show is on for one week only, so if you haven't got tickets yet - be sure to go to Attic's website or stop by their box office! You won't want to miss this true story that comes right out of Botetourt County!

05/27/2026

We'll see you all on the roof (or maybe indoors! 🌧️) for tonight's History After Dark with Salem Museum Director, Garrett Channell and learn all about the occult history of board games! 🎲♟️🔮

Address

Fincastle, VA
24090

Telephone

+15404730148

Website

http://www.bothistsoc.wordpress.com/

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