JULY PROGRAM TO EXPLORE
18TH CENTURY LIFE AT TIMBER RIDGE

Professor Turk McCleskey will take a fresh look at the familiar story of the origins of the Presbyterian congregation at Timber Ridge. Settlers on the tributaries of today’s Maury River sought to recruit a resident Presbyterian minister as early as 1742, but were unsuccessful until 1753, when congregants at the Timber Ridge and New Providence meeting houses called the Reverend John Brown as their pastor.

One of the original Timber Ridge congregants was Edward Tarr, a former slave recently arrived from Pennsylvania. Using two documents from the founding of the Timber Ridge Presbyterian congregation, as well other primary sources, Professor McCleskey’s presentation will examine Tarr’s evolving interactions with his Timber Ridge neighbors.

In the early 1750s, before an influx of slave labor, Tarr enjoyed an egalitarian relationship with the white residents of Timber Ridge. Stresses produced by the Seven Years’ War eroded that relationship, however, and Tarr’s unconventional behavior with a white woman fractured his connection to the Timber Ridge congregation.

Attendants at the program will be treated to a free Ice Cream Social following the Presentation.

2010 RHS EXHIBIT
REDISCOVERED TREASURES OF ROCKBRIDGE

One of the most exciting challenges the Society faces each year is the production of our major, annual, themed history exhibit, which is mounted in the spring, and
remains on display until the end of the following January.

Our 2010 Exhibit, Rediscovered Treasures of Rockbridge, continues a decades-long tradition of excellence, covering subjects ranging from the African American experience to the life of Michael Miley, one of America’s most accomplished nineteenth-century photographers.

Our current exhibit opened with a well-attended reception at Campbell House on May 27th, at which it received much favorable comment. Board member, and local artist, Dorothy Blackwell, assisted by board member, Seth Goodhart, and volunteer, Byron Faidley, curated a unique display of long-forgotten artifacts tracing over two centuries of Rockbridge history.

It is a stunning display, which relates previously untold stories of Rockbridge history. Were you aware of the exciting events in which the WWII attack transport, USS Rockbridge (APA 228) participated? Would you like to know where the nineteenth-century circuit court clerk’s desk has been for the past century? Have you ever seen a nearly-perfect 1841 lady’s dress constructed of hand stitches so small as to be nearly invisible? To see these and other historic marvels, visit the Remsburg gallery at Campbell House. And bring a friend or neighbor.

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2009 Victorian Christmas Open House
at Campbell House Well Attended

Alexander T. Sloan (Fred Bloom) and his wife Elinor (Michele Cunningham) welcome Santa (Jeff Mohler) to their parlor during the Rockbridge Historical Society Victorian Open House on Saturday, December 12 (Warren photo).

Rockbridge Historical Society held its annual salute to the season by presenting Its Victorian Christmas Open House on Saturday, December 12th.

Mrs. Cristina Mimes and her daughters Anneka and Metta play the organ and sing Christmas Carols along with Rebekah Thompson as part of the Victorian Open House (Warren photo).

Historic Campbell House was festively decorated in the spirit of the season in the fashion of bygone times by the Lexington Garden Club.

There was a Christmas Tree, live music, refreshments,and costumed interpreters. A special visit from Santa Claus highlighted the event. More than 100 visitors attended this year's event.