MHC Historical Society members, who have supported the museum since its rudimentary beginnings a quarter of a century ago, of course will be the exclusive guests of the annex grand opening celebration.
The private members-only ribbon-cutting reception will be held at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5. Memberships can be renewed or purchased at the event.
Next, on Saturday, Sept. 6, a public grand opening will be held from 3-8 p.m.
The members-only event Friday night will feature hors d’oeurves, wine and musicians playing piano. It will be the first time the fully finished exhibits on both floors of the 13,000-square-foot annex will be open to visitors.
On Saturday, Sept. 6, the grand opening will feature children’s games and activities, refreshments and live music by Drs. Will Zimmer and Tom Berry, all free. Admission to the annex will be free to all children up to age 18 (normally, children’s admission costs $5) as well as free to members. Memberships can be purchased at the event. General admission is $10, and membership for 65+ is $5; infants are admitted free.
Construction of the building was completed in August 2024. It holds the King Collections of antiques: Native American artifacts; horse tack; firearms; toys; model trains, specializing in Marklin and Lionel; artisan, defense and circus canes; a gambling parlor; Madame Alexander dolls; unique dollhouses; medical and dental equipment; woodworking tools; construction tools; textile tools; locks; steam whistles; early experimental electronic devices; fans; telegraph and telephone equipment; and more.
Other upcoming events, all at the museum:
Graves Anthony and Hunter Haskins will present a program on distilling, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, as part of the MHC Historical Society’s Sunday Afternoon Lecture Series.
The Society’s signature social and fundraising event, Blue Jeans & Bling, will be held on Oct. 4.
The popular Ghost Walk, held for the first time last year, will return on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 1. More details will be forthcoming – but tickets will be limited, so those who want to attend, be sure to act as soon as the information is released.
Jake Abell, of Scuffle Hill Brewing, will present a program on cider, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, as part of the MHC Historical Society’s Sunday Afternoon Lecture series.
JOIN NOW! Visit https://www.mhchistoricalsociety.org/memberships.
DAILY LOCAL HISTORY ARTICLES – What happened on each date, 100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago: Visit https://www.mhchistoricalsociety.org/looking-back. There’s a new one every day!
READ an assortment of local history articles sorted by topic at https://www.mhchistoricalsociety.org/articles.
CONTACT US: (276) 403-5361; mhchistoricalsociety@gmail.com. The executive director is Holly Kozelsky, and the aide is Davis Scott. If you’re at Smith River Fest this Saturday, stop by to see Davis and Dylan Chappell at the Historical Society’s booth, in the row across from the food vendors.
VISIT THE MUSEUM: The museum, at 1 E. Main St., Martinsville, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
