The day was rainy but enthusiasm and spirits were high at the Civil War Dinner at Rockwood Manor on April 27. It was a sold-out event with every table full. The reenactors were rained out, the History Mobile had a major breakdown and didn’t make it, but the atmosphere was pure Civil War era with some guests in period costumes and author Sharyn McCrumb and her family dressed to represent characters from her books. Rockwood’s long windows and wide porches gave way to views of rain and green fields that could have held any of these characters. The music echoing through the house from the foyer made it even more special.

Sharyn’s after dinner presentation, held in the manor house due to rain, was given in a hushed and eerie atmosphere, rain pounding, as she told of the days and events of yesteryear. It was a special, very personal as well as informative presentation of people and the times. It was so enthusiastically received that Sharyn finally had to end as her voice began to fail. All in all, it was an evening of sharing and historical magic. Our special thanks to Frank Drummond and Rochelle for sharing Rockwood Manor and being such avid NRHS supporters.

The digital exhibit panels have been delivered and will be installed when the proper support systems for the panels are delivered. The video producer, Richard Adams, has spent considerable time at the museum and has recorded interviews with Carolyn Mathews and Lloyd Mathews as well we others. Portions of these interviews will be included in the narrative as it is prepared. The 80-page book that accompanies and expands on the information on the panels is in the final stages of production and will be available for sale in the Museum gift shop.

One of the great hidden treasures of the Wilderness Road Regional Museum are boxes and boxes of ledgers, books, old newspapers, and family documents stored under the eaves in the archival section of the museum. While they are in air-conditioned space, they are not in any special order nor are they being properly housed in archival boxes.

Dr. Tal Stanley and a group of students from Emory and Henry College, operating under a special grant, have started work to scan and digitize these items and then organize them in labeled archival boxes. This is a cooperative effort with Gene Hyde and the Radford University library that will culminate with these digital scans being made available, and free to the public, via the Radford University web site. NRHS will be properly credited for the ownership of these documents and retain all intellectual property.

In the next few years funds will need to be found to renovate the Old Jail to create space for these items along with the current archives.

Board member Ann Bolt will host and organize the July 20 NRHS Cold Harbor Dinner at her historic home, gardens, and farm, Hillcrest Farms. This dinner is one of the major fundraisers organized by museum volunteers to meet the basic needs of the Wilderness Road Regional Museum. In the past it has been held in the Museum, but thanks to Ann Bolt, beautiful Hillcrest Farms is the new and very perfect venue for this summer dinner.

The buffet-style dinner will be held Saturday July 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 at Hillcrest Farms. It will be served al fresco in and around the house and gardens. There will also be musical groups performing.

Reservations for this dinner can be made by calling the museum at 540-674-4385, by emailing
wildernessmuseum@gmail.com or by visiting the museum and signing up. The cost is a suggested donation of $20.

Directions to Hillcrest Farms: Dublin, North Rte. 100 past NRCC and Rockwood Manor entrance, left on Black Hollow Road (Rt. 636). The entrance to Hillcrest Farms is on the right at 5280 Black Hollow Road just as you pass the River of Life Church on the left. If you pass the entrance, turn around in the church parking lot.

Volunteer and resident techie Ainsley McDougal has volunteered to take on the task of managing the gift shop and book store, and is currently upgrading the sales and inventory systems. In addition to compiling an inventory of items in the shop, tracking sales and installing a new system to allow us to take credit card payments, she will consult with other gift shop managers to find appropriate items with an acceptable profit margin to sell in the gift shop.

At some point in August there will be a BBQ to show our appreciation for out team of volunteers, and to share updates on current and future projects. There will also be a brief training session to familiarize everyone with the brand-new checkout system and credit card processing.

Radford University student Kasey Campbell, under the direction of NRHS President Carolyn Mathews, has rapidly become involved in several projects at the museum. One of her projects is to improve the WRRM web presence and accessibility online for the general public. The current site features the WRRM but it is buried amongst other information. Toward this end, Ainsley McDougal is designing two new websites to provide the NRHS and the WRRM their own online identities. Intern Campbell is contributing by writing new content and re-writing current content.

While there will be some overlapping information across the two new websites, the new WRRM website will feature more history of the buildings and detailed information about what is available at the museum, including current displays. Similarly, the new NRHS website will provide a resource for current and potential members, and serve as a method to promote the efforts and purpose of the NRHS.

After both sites are completed an announcement will be sent to state and regional organizations including tourism boards.