Historical Society Projects

We need Volunteers
If you have skills or time that these projects would benefit from, we would greatly appreciate any assistance you can give.

Projects underway or ongoing

• Work with the county in interpreting the Waid Stagecoach Stop Inn in Waid Recreation Park. Plans call for signage, maps to show original locations of associated buildings, constructing a 'footprint' of the original structure, stabilizing the existing chimney and more.
• Assist the Town of Boones Mill in restoration of the Boon and Hardy cemeteries inside the town limits. Boones Mill founder Jacob Boon lies there - along with family members and other notables. Tax deductible donations are being accepted for this work.  Contact us for a brochure. Update: the cemetery is cleaned - thanks to Franklin County Jail Inmate Work Force and other volunteers, antique decorative fencing for the entrance has been donated by Peggie Foster and installed. Damaged/dangerous trees have been cut and removed (thank you, Trees R Us for a great job!) and the entrance is being redesigned to allow better access. Signs will be up soon to properly mark this historic resting place. Watch for a dedication ceremony to show off the work.  Note: if you wish to visit the site, please contact us prior to traveling. Because of the work underway and safety concerns, we are asking that family members and others visit only during regular business hours for the Town of Boones Mill (weekends not recommended). Very soon, restrictions will be lifted and regular access can be allowed. Thank you for your understanding.
• Continue preservation work at the old Robert Hill fort/blockhouse. The blockhouse, on the Christian Heritage Academy property, is a historic site dating from the 1740s. Periodic events are held here to celebrate the freedoms won in the Revolutionary War. Thanks to master mason Russell Whalen for his work in restoring/re-enforcing the rockwork and for rebuilding the lower wall. Donations are being accepted for more work at this site.
• Complete update of our cemetery book for publication: "Franklin County Cemeteries Volume 3" - to include full-name index, updated directions, "lost cemeteries" and others not included in previous versions. Work is underway and, while daunting, is progressing. (Previous pre-orders will be honored although the "book" is much larger than anticipated and will be multiple volumes for ease of use. ) For new orders, actual price will be available just prior to publication. Watch for information and the opportunity to pre-order.
• Complete research and publish a booklet on the local aspect of the life of Confederate General Jubal Anderson Early. Our working title is "Jubal at Home."
• Publish a book of Franklin County-theme postcards.
• Seek marking of historic sites by Virginia Department of Transportation.
• Seek state and national historic site designation for worthy properties.
• Publish Vol. 4 of Franklin County Killin' which will include newspaper clippings, 'detective magazine' accounts & more about local murders from  days past. Volume 3 is now in its fifth printing!
• Publish Ghosts We Know dealing with accounts of local encounters of the interesting kind. We're no longer producing our Ghosts & More event, however, we want to keep the true stories alive - and in print. Watch for details as publication nears.