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Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library facts for kids
| Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library | |
|---|---|
Originally built by the Liberty Lodge #95 A.F & A.M., it is now the home of the Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library.
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| General information | |
| Address | 201 E. Main St., Bedford, Virginia, USA |
| Coordinates | 37°20′03″N 79°31′19″W / 37.334184°N 79.521933°W |
| Relocated | 1979 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 3 |
The Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library is a special place in Bedford County, Virginia. It's like a treasure chest for local history and family stories. This museum helps people learn about their ancestors and the past of their community.
The museum first started in 1932. It was created by two groups: the General William R. Terry chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Peaks of Otter chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Over the years, it moved to different spots in Bedford, VA. These places included the Courthouse and the local library. Finally, in 1979, the museum found its permanent home. It moved into an old building that used to be the Masonic Hall for Liberty Lodge #95. This building is part of the Bedford Historic District. You can find the museum at 201 E. Main St. in Bedford, VA.
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Exciting Annual Events
The Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library hosts many fun events throughout the year. These events are great for families and kids. They include a yearly train display, a summer program called "Fridays at the Museum," and an essay contest for children.
Explore the Model Trains
On its third floor, the Bedford Museum has an amazing O Gauge model train layout. Kids love watching the train zoom past tiny villages. It goes over a bridge and through a tunnel. You can even control a small trolley that moves back and forth in the village! During the two weeks of Christmas Break, a special Polar Express train runs on the tracks. Sometimes, there are other interactive train activities too.
Summer Fun: Fridays at the Museum
Every summer, the museum has a weekly program called "Fridays at the Museum." This program is perfect for children finishing 2nd through 6th grades. It happens every Friday afternoon during the summer months. Kids learn about local history and how it connects to bigger events in the country and even the world. Some past activities have included visits from the Monacan Tribe and the Bedford County Sheriff. There have also been field trips to historic places like Avenel and the Avoca Museum. This program has helped many kids do really well in their history tests!
Celebrate Women's History
Each February, the Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library holds an essay contest. It's for students in second to eighth grades. The contest celebrates Women's History Month. Students write about a woman who lived during a specific historical time, like the American Revolution or the Civil War. They explain why they admire that woman. Grand Prize winners receive $50, and other winners get awards too.
Monthly Activities
The museum also has regular activities. From February to November, it hosts a Genealogy and History Forum on the second Saturday of each month. Speakers share interesting stories about family history or their own experiences. For example, Carl Overstreet, who was the first U2 pilot to fly over Soviet Air Space, shared his story.
The museum also offers a free class every month, from February to November. This class teaches beginners how to start exploring their family history. It gives helpful tips and advice for those new to genealogy.
Weekly Fun
Most Friday nights, from 7 to 9 pm, the museum hosts free Bluegrass Jams. These musical gatherings happen on the third floor.
Museum Displays
The museum has three floors filled with interesting exhibits. You can learn about different groups of people, like African Americans and Native Americans. There are also displays about major wars, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. A special exhibit focuses on the "Bedford Boys" from Co. A 1/116 29th Division. You can also see items from the American Revolution and the Civil War. The museum also shows how people lived in the past with displays of household furniture. A special changing exhibit room highlights local businesses and important people, like Lacey Putney, who served in Virginia's government for a very long time.
Genealogy Library
The first floor of the museum is home to the Genealogy Library. This library is a great resource for anyone interested in family history. It has over 1,600 books and more than 1,000 files. These files are filled with information about family names and local history.