By Jessica Dillon
Jarred Marlowe grew up in Danville but has made Henry County his home since 2016, when he moved to the area to teach at Bassett High School. After three years in the classroom, he began working at Carter Bank, where he is employed today.
Marlowe holds a degree in history from the Virginia Military Institute and a master’s degree in education from Johnson University. He now helps run a local history YouTube channel, Doss-Marlowe: History in Sight, alongside Andy Doss.
The two met through church and grew closer over time through their shared interest in local history. Together, they began researching historic events, old homes and long-forgotten communities throughout Henry County. Their shared passion eventually led them to join the board of the Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society, where they help preserve and share local history.
At first, the pair considered starting a podcast.
“But then we thought — who’s going to listen to a podcast just about Henry County?” Marlowe said. “We wanted to reach more people.”
Instead, they turned to video, creating short educational features focused on local places and people. The videos are shared on their YouTube channel, where they have built a steady following of viewers interested in local history.
One of their earliest projects focused on the Hairston family, who once owned several plantations in the area. Some of the homes remain standing, and many descendants of enslaved people who lived on those plantations still live nearby.
“It’s still a very important story to tell,” Marlowe said.
Producing a single video takes time and careful research. The process often begins with brainstorming possible topics, followed by determining whether enough reliable information and visual material exists to support a story.
“We don’t want to tell stories based just on legends or rumors,” Marlowe said. “We want facts. We want to be sure that what we say is true.”
Marlowe typically handles the research, writing and gathering of photos and videos, while Doss focuses on editing and production.
“He’s better at the technical side,” Marlowe said. “So, I gather the content, and he makes it look great.”
Some of the stories, however, come from local lore, including one involving a rock quarry in Collinsville. During construction of the Philpott Dam, large explosions were reportedly used to extract stone.
“People said arms and legs landed in their yards while they were outside doing laundry,” Marlowe said. “We don’t have much proof, just two newspaper articles, but it’s the kind of story that grabs your attention.”
Those stories often spark deeper curiosity.
“The more you research, the more questions you get,” Marlowe said. “I always want to find the answers.”
The pair is currently working on videos about two former communities, Edgewood and Firestone, near Stanleytown. While they’ve walked the properties and documented remaining structures, filming has been delayed while they wait for permission from landowners.
They also continue to research the Hairston plantations and the history of Bassett. Doss has focused more heavily on Bassett’s past, while Marlowe enjoys exploring a range of topics as his curiosity leads.
Marlowe credits his wife as one of his biggest supporters.
“She grew up in Bassett and already knew a lot of these places and stories,” he said. “She encouraged me to learn more and helped spark my interest in local history.”
The couple has a 5-year-old daughter and is expecting another child. Marlowe hopes his children will one day share his love of history.
“I show my daughter the videos, and she loves hearing my voice on TV,” he said. “Someday I want to take her to these places and show her what used to be there.”
For Marlowe, the goal is simple: helping people understand the history beneath their feet.
“Most people don’t know the stories of where they live,” he said. “Like, did you know that the Kroger used to be a landing strip for airplanes? Or that a Civil War battle happened right by a stoplight that thousands of cars pass every day?”
“We’re trying to make history easy to learn and fun to watch,” he said. “So future generations can know where they come from.”
