Elizabeth Carrington’s association used a charter and a fair
Its educational charity also had a racial boundary.
1 min read · Published Oct 20, 2026THE PLACE WE REMEMBER
Every street has a story.
Local records, familiar landmarks and the memories that make a town.
NEW · TEN-PART LIVING HISTORY SERIES
Sharswood: family, place and the work of memory
Read the documented story in order—from Fred Miller’s 2020 purchase and his family’s discovery to the records, buildings, burial ground, 60 Minutes report and descendant-led work ahead.
Each part separates verified evidence from inference, carries its own real photograph or archival image and links to the source record. The official 60 Minutes video appears in part nine.
History across the region
Explore by town277 all records stories found
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Elizabeth Russell made room for traveling preachers
A Saltville biography describes material support and household religious gatherings.
1 min read · Published Oct 20, 2026
William Carney’s life after Fort Wagner included postal work
The Norfolk-born veteran’s biography extends beyond one battle.
1 min read · Published Oct 20, 2026
Lila Valentine’s reforms included schools and visiting nurses
A Richmond biography connects several kinds of organizing.
1 min read · Published Oct 20, 2026
Clarence Dunnaville’s civil-rights work crossed several workplaces
Roanoke childhood appears in a wider legal and business history.
1 min read · Published Oct 20, 2026
Lucy Simms’s teaching career included organizing teachers
Her Harrisonburg biography connects classroom work and professional associations.
1 min read · Published Oct 20, 2026
Elizabeth Campbell carried education work into television
Her biography connects Staunton college work with educational broadcasting.
1 min read · Published Oct 20, 2026Oscar Micheaux connected Roanoke investment with filmmaking
A historical profile places film enterprise in Gainsboro.
1 min read · Published Oct 19, 2026
Oliver Hill’s education crossed a boundary Roanoke had imposed
A historical biography links schooling and later civil-rights work.
1 min read · Published Oct 19, 2026
Louise McCraw linked Buckingham writing with braille circulation
A county beginning, a Richmond institution.
1 min read · Published Oct 19, 2026
Janis Martin’s recording career began with regional radio
A Southside route into rockabilly.
1 min read · Published Oct 19, 2026
Brett Hursey’s short play changed setting on its way to film
A dated adaptation account, not a local screening.
1 min read · Published Oct 19, 2026Find your place in the record.
The name on the county map
Pittsylvania County was created from western Halifax County in 1767. Its name honors William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, for his support of the American colonies during the Stamp Act dispute.
Booker T. Washington's Atlanta address
Booker T. Washington delivered his Atlanta Exposition Address on September 18, 1895. The National Park Service preserves its transcript at the website for his Franklin County birthplace.
Before Gretna, Elba
Virginia's charter history records Elba's incorporation in 1901. Elba was an earlier name for today's Town of Gretna.
The wreck of Old 97
The Old 97 mail train wreck occurred in Danville on September 27, 1903. The disaster later became the subject of a widely known ballad.
Hill Grove School's state recognition
Hill Grove School near Hurt entered the Virginia Landmarks Register on December 3, 2003. Alec and Emma Cook donated its one-acre school site in 1912; the schoolhouse was completed in 1915.
Downtown joins the National Register
Gretna Commercial Historic District entered the National Register of Historic Places on May 28, 2013. Virginia's listing identifies 26 contributing buildings.
A larger library opens
Pittsylvania County celebrated the renovated Gretna Branch Library with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting on September 26, 2023. The project expanded into former Danville Community College classroom space.
Sources checked September 7, 2026. Entries with only a year are not assigned an invented anniversary date.
From the community album.
Be part of the first reviewed community contributions.