The Martinsville-Henry County Heritage Museum has reached a milestone:
Phase I of the much-heralded and highly anticipated annex is now open. Along with that, the museum has new, expanded opening hours.
The museum, at 1 E. Main St., Martinsville, now is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and it’s also open Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phase I of the annex showcases significant collections of firearms going back at least 600 years; artisan and defense canes; antique toys including Marklin, Buddy L and Carette; Native American artifacts; a gambling parlor; intricately designed horse tack; and Geroge Catlin art.
Phase I of the annex also has a research library with unique and rare volumes on the types of antiques displayed in the museum. The books have specialized and obscure information that cannot be found online.
Admission to the museum is free to members (and note, membership renewals are due on June 1). For non-members, admission is $10, with $5 for ages 65+ and ages 2-17 and free for infants. Visitors may take out memberships on the spot.
A section of that floor of the annex also may be rented for events. The Historical Society will set up tables and chairs. Renters and their caterers get the use of a food preparation area.
The expanded hours are thanks to the hiring of Davis Scott as Staff Aide. Until his hiring, Scott was a member of the MHCHS board of directors and an active volunteer who has participated in nearly all aspects of the Society’s programs and museum.
In addition to keeping the museum open during open hours, Scott assists MHC Historical Society Executive Director Holly Kozelsky in planning museum materials and programs.
The regular volunteer hosts still have their traditional shifts—Johnny Nolen on Wednesdays, Michael Sanguedolce on Thursdays and Jack Stewart on Fridays. Additionally, more hosts are needed to help during the expanded opening hours. Please contact Kozelsky.mhchs@gmail.com or (276) 403-5361, or stop by the museum, to see how you could be involved.
Meanwhile, work on Phase II is moving along at a fast clip. Installed are two model train set-ups; displays of toy fire trucks, both horse-driven and motorized; an extensive assortment of tools including wood-working tools and intricate lathes; fascinating locks; an early telephone switchboard and equipment; medical equipment; a 5-foot-long plantation style dollhouse made by the late Junior Gilley; and much more.
Grand events and celebrations will be planned to celebrate the opening of Phase II, which would be the opening of the entire annex. Details will be announced in the Summer newsletter as well as on www.mhchistoricalsociety@org and in local media.
Additionally, the Heritage Gift Shop inside the museum has been expanded to include clever and hard-to-find toys which were popular in years gone by, as well as modern toys. New to the gift shop are:
- Hats for babies, children and adults, including bonnets (solid colors and calico), Colonial tricorners, racoon tail caps, train engineer caps
- Slingshots, archery sets and cap guns
- Train fun, including pullback action locomotives, wind-up trains, Western railway train set, train puzzle, train whistles, engineer caps, bandanas and harmonicas
- Dream catchers
- Calligraphy sets, quill pens with inkwells and wax seal sets
- Miniature farm animals and assorted horses
- Wooden brainteaser puzzles
- Whimsical items, such as love bugs and whoopie cushions
- Traditional games such as paddleball, ball-in-cup, Jacob’s ladder, triangle game, jaw harp, jacks, and much more.
