The theme for the Alleghany Historical Museum’s fourth quarter exhibit is Harvest and Holidays. We wanted to re-capture the atmosphere of a traditional, mountain autumn focusing on activities that were once common, here.

Our last exhibit featured agriculture, so it was only fitting that this one celebrates the harvest. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year have themes familiar to each of us. But how did our families celebrate these seasons, if they did at all?

In this modern age, we think we’re rushed, but with hog killing, molasses making, corn-cutting, haying, canning, drying apples, drying beans for “leather britches”, gathering walnuts and chestnuts- the list of traditional chores seems endless.

The exhibit will last through the end  of the year. As always, if you have items or stories to share, contact us!

The Sesquicentennial Committee has donated to AHGS the commemorative fiddle, originally won but donated back to the committee by Billy Noah of Mount Airy. The fiddle was created by David Joines and has the Sesquicentennial Seal carved into it by Gracen Lucas. We have temporarily loaned it to the Alleghany Jubilee for display until it has a permanent home in a future historical museum.

Before the closing of the Sparta Teapot Museum on January 31st, we had asked them for the loan of a 20”x 20” pedestal to display the fiddle. They responded by giving us the pedestal. Continue reading

Representatives of the Alleghany Historical-Genealogical Society traveled to Morehead City, NC Saturday, October 10, 2009 to receive the Joe M. McLaurin Newsletter Award from North Carolina Society of Historians for their 2009 Newsletters.

Several other individuals and businesses also won awards for their work on the Sesquicentennial Project. 5 puzzles, the Alleghany Star Reprint, the Sesquicentennial Events Brochure, the AHGS and Sesquicentennial Committee’s websites, and the Alleghany County Musicians 4-CD set won awards. Continue reading

Representatives of the Alleghany Historical-Genealogical Society traveled to Hickory, NC Saturday, October 11, 2008 to receive the Paul Green Multimedia Award from North Carolina Society of Historians for their memorial cookbook, “Recipes that Raised Us.”

At the annual event, NCSH presented awards in several historical and genealogical categories relating to local, regional or statewide people, places or events: History Books, Publishers, Multimedia, Journal, Newsletter, Society, Religious History Books, Newspaper & Magazine Articles, Family History Books, Historical Fiction, and Museums. The multimedia category takes in historical plays, videos, oral histories, poetry, music, websites, brochures, pamphlets, demonstrations, etc. A Presidents Award was given to the President’s personal choice of all entries that won by the unanimous decision of a distinguished panel of judges. Only one prestigious Historian of the Year award was presented this year. Continue reading

Representatives of the Alleghany Historical-Genealogical Society traveled to Hickory, NC Saturday, October 11, 2008 to receive the Paul Green Multimedia Award from North Carolina Society of Historians for their memorial cookbook, “Recipes that Raised Us.” AHGS compiled the book last year and have donated all proceeds to the Alleghany County Public Library for their building fund. The book, now in its second printing, has generated approximately $7500 in sales to date.

In her letter to the Society informing them of the award, NCSH President Elizabeth Sherrill stated: Continue reading