Our History

Our History Upcoming Events and Forums Associations Links

Bedford Museum building was built in 1895 as a Masonic Temple. This is the only example of Romanesque Revival architecture in Bedford and is impressive with its multi-colored brick, stone archways, terra cotta ornamentation and bay windows. The museum showcases Bedford's history from early native American life through the War Between the States and into the twentieth century. The Mission of the Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library is to develop and maintain files for genealogical and historical research and to collect, preserve and interpret objects of historical significance to the City of Bedford and Bedford County, Virginia. Objects of historical significance are defined as objects that were made and / or used by inhabitants of Bedford or are deemed to have been an integral part of the lives and environs of the inhabitants of the City of Bedford and Bedford County, Virginia. Objects of historical significance interpret and substantiate the existence and survival of inhabitants of Bedford, Virginia from prehistoric times to present.

Museum Schedule

January 28,2012 - Last Day of Trains and end of train and blanket raffles. Drawings will be held that afternoon.

February 4, 2012 - Saturday closings begin. The Museum will be closed on Saturdays except for special functions until December when the Christmas trains resume.

February 19, 2012- Black History Month Celebration. There will be a Black History program 2:00PM to 3:00PM. From 3:00 to whenever, there will be a reception celebrating the retirement of Louise Bonds, a 15 year smiling employee. All friends of Louise are invited to come. Please let the Museum know you are coming so we can have enough food prepared. Please bring a monetary gift for Louise. All checks can be written to Louise Bonds.

March 2011- Women's History Month Essay Contest

June-Aug - Friday's at the Museum kids program

Forum Schedule
The Forum is an informal group that loves Bedford history and genealogy and that meets every month on second Saturday (Except December and January) to discuss interesting topics. The public is invited and you do no have to be a member. We meet on the third floor of the Museum (Elevator Provided) at 1:30PM and the meetings usually last about 90 minutes. Come and be a part.

Click for Museum Parking Info

February 11, 2012 - Rodney Franklin will present the story "How Goose Creek's Infamous Dead Man's Hole Got Its Name," The story of Gordon Franklin who with Lawrence Dugins murdered John W. Hodges of Franklin on November 16, 1927, and deposited his body in Dead Man's Hole on Goose Creek just below Mount Zion Church.

March 10, 2012 - "The Fire of 1884 in Bedford" - Travis Witt has researched this subject extensively and he will discuss his findings.

April 14, 2012 - In honor of Confederate History Month, David Meiskey will portray Governor William "Extra Billy" Smith. William Smith operated a stage coach line From Washington D. C., through Bedford County to the southern states. Besides that William Smith was: Virginia State Senate 1836-1841, US House of Representatives 1841-1843 and 1853-1861, CS House of Representatives 1861-1863, Governor of Virginia 1846-1848 and 1864-1865 and Virginia House of Delegates 1875-1877.

May 12, 2012 - Bush family history presentation.

June 9, 2012 - Jerry "White Eagle" Taylor will present his personal Native American Genealogy, his research methods and the history of Indians in Bedford County

July 14, 2012 - Beverly Merritt from Franklin County will speak about what she has learned about marriage licenses, banns and permission slips during her many years of genealogical research.

August 11, 2012 - Betty Elliott will speak about Quaker records and how to use them.

September 8, 2012 - Alvin Martin will present the story of the Arthur/Clingenpeel murders, 1903 at Gillespie.

October 13, 2012 - Mary Gallaher Robertson will recount her life growing up in Gallaher's Store at Perrowville. She will discuss her new book about Gallaher's Store "Nobody's Home".

November 10, 2012 - (Tentative) - Tony Gilreath from FamilySearch.org will discuss the many historical and genealogical records they have and the projects to scan and archive original records.

February 9, 2012 - Alvin Martin will present a history of A. J. Gillespie and the community of Gillespie/Bonytown/Glenwood.

Associations

Virginia Association of Museums

American Association of Museums

American Association for State and Local History

Virginia Genealogical Society

Links

Bedford, Virginia Informational sites:

A History of Bedford County, VA http://www.tommymarkham.com/BedfordCounty/BCV.htm

Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce www.BedfordAreaChamber.com

Bedford Welcome Center www.visitBedford.com

A View of America http://www.aviewofamerica.com/Virginia/Attractions/BedfordMuseum/bedfordmuseum.htm
Tommy Markham- Bedford County Site http://www.tommymarkham.com/BedfordCounty/BCV.htm
Bedford Strawberry Baptist Association (Has early church records)- www.sbava.org
Smith Mountain Lake News- http://www.smithmountainhomes.com/news