Two New Exhibits Launch the New Year at the MHC Heritage Museum
The MHC Heritage Museum is ringing in the new year with two exciting new exhibits that celebrate speed, style, and the stories that shaped Martinsville-Henry County. Beginning Friday, January 9, visitors can explore “From Still to Speed: A History of NASCAR” and “A History of Setting Style.”
Both exhibits will debut with a free public reception Friday, January 9th from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the museum, located at 1 E. Main Street in Martinsville. Admission is free for members, with regular admission rates applying for non-members. Guests can enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres while being among the first to experience these captivating exhibits.
From Moonshine to Motorsports: The Roots of NASCAR
Stock car racing has deep roots in Virginia and the Carolinas—born not on racetracks, but in the hills and valleys where moonshine stills once operated. During the early 1900s, and especially throughout Prohibition (1920–1933), bootleggers modified their vehicles to be faster and stronger in order to outrun law enforcement.
What began as necessity soon turned into competition. Drivers raced their souped-up cars against one another for fun, unknowingly laying the foundation for what would become NASCAR.
The evolution of stock cars has been nothing short of remarkable. At NASCAR’s first official race in 1949, vehicles averaged 68 miles per hour over 200 laps. Today, the stock car speed record stands at 244.9 miles per hour, set in 2007 by a car built by Joey Arrington.
Arrington is now working on a new car with the ambitious goal of reaching 250 miles per hour, commemorating the 250th anniversary of both Virginia and the United States.
Stock Car Speed with Lex Hairston
The design and graphics for Arrington’s latest speed machine are being created by Lex Hairston of Streetribe Designs, who also serves as curator of “From Still to Speed.” Hairston’s exhibit dives deep into NASCAR’s thrilling history, highlighting legendary rivalries, family connections, and major technological advancements that transformed the sport.
Hairston is joined by Samantha Wall, a museum intern and student in the Historic Preservation and Classical Archaeology programs at the University of Mary Washington. Wall is a 2023 graduate of Martinsville High School and a 2025 graduate of Patrick & Henry Community College.
Setting Style: A Look at Mid-Century Elegance
Offering a striking contrast to roaring engines, “A History of Setting Style” explores the refined, formal lifestyles of the mid-20th century. The exhibit centers on the Fagg and Globman families, original owners of the three homes featured in this year’s Historic Garden Week tour hosted by the Garden Club of Virginia (GCV).
Historic Garden Week will take place Wednesday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and includes tours of:
- 928 Mulberry Road, home of Dr. James Julian
- 1 Dan-Lee Terrace, home of Dr. Andrew and Anna Gehrken
- 9 Dan-Lee Terrace, home of Dr. Ben and Debbie Lewis
The Mulberry Road home was built in 1936 by Martinsville pharmacist Dr. Bob Fagg and his wife, Katherine. A civic leader for decades, Dr. Fagg operated his pharmacy at the heart of downtown—Franklin and Main streets—across from the courthouse.
The Dan-Lee Terrace homes were built in the early 1950s by members of the Globman family, led by Abe Globman, often referred to as Martinsville’s “Merchant Prince.”
Martinsville’s Merchant Prince
Abe and Masha Globman arrived in Martinsville in 1915 as shopkeepers, raising their children in the family store where Masha cooked meals over a pot-bellied stove. Over time, the business grew into a retail powerhouse—reaching 120,000 square feet by 1961 and becoming one of the largest department stores in Virginia and North Carolina. It was also among the first to feature an escalator.
Shoppers traveled from miles around to visit Globman’s, which offered the latest fashions sourced from New York City and other major style centers. For generations, it was the place to shop for the newest trends.
Living (and Learning) the Style
Curated by the Garden Study Club, with assistance from Davis Scott, the museum’s Staff Aide, the exhibit brings this elegant era to life. MHC Historical Society Executive Director Holly Kozelsky also provided support and serves as the 2026 Historic Garden Week Chair.
“A History of Setting Style” features:
- Formal table settings with silver, china, and crystal
- Flower-arranging tools and mechanics—including gravity-defying techniques
- A spotlight on women’s clubs from the 1940s–1960s, a time when Martinsville and Henry County were home to dozens of garden, bridge, and book clubs
Visitors will not only see how people lived—but also learn how to recreate these styles at home. Instructional diagrams and take-home tutorial flyers explain proper table settings and floral design techniques.
Plan Your Visit
Reception RSVP:
📧 mhchistoricalsociety@gmail.org
📞 276-403-5361
Membership Information:
Visit the museum or explore memberships at mhchistoricalsociety.org/memberships
Historic Garden Week Tickets:
- Adults: $25
- Children (5–17): $15
- Ages 5 & under: Free
- South Region Combo Ticket: $75 (Martinsville, Danville-Chatham, and Roanoke or Lake Gaston)
Advance tickets will be available at the MHC Heritage Museum starting January 9, and online beginning February 16 at gcvirginia.org/historic-garden-week/tickets/.
