Town of Vinton, Virginia | Vinton Historical Society and Museum Information

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	VINTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM A Non-Profit Organization

The Vinton Museum | The Vinton Historical Society | The Museum Collection | Museum Location and Hours

THE VINTON MUSEUM

J. H. Upson, a native of Wellville, Virginia had resigned his Lynchburg bookkeeping job in 1889 to move to Vinton. Bringing with him his new wife, Amelia Callis Upson, he opened a general store on the corner of Maple and Lee Avenues. Several years later, the Upson shingle hung over the doors of a grocery store and finally over the hardware store that he operated until his death in 1939.

In 1899, Upson purchased two lots near his store where he built the 10 room house that is located at 210 E. Jackson Avenue. Mrs. Mary Upson Williams, daughter of J. H. and Amelia Upson, said “we had some mighty good times in the house. Vinton was, and still is, a very friendly place to live.”

It was at the request of Mrs. Williams that her family home be donated to the Town of Vinton to be used for public or municipal purposes. She said “I have lived here the bulk of my life. I want to give something back to the community, which has given to me.” Mrs. Williams died in 1993, and she did give back to her community, a priceless treasure which is the Vinton Museum.

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THE VINTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A group of Vinton citizens realized the need to establish an historical society to preserve items of local history. It was during Vinton’s centennial celebration in 1984, that the Vinton Historical Society was formed.

The society has been responsible for the operation of the Vinton Museum since the Town acquired the Upson home in 1988. Some of the responsibilities of the society include the preservation of items of historical relevance, maintaining the interior of the museum for the display of artifacts, and providing educational opportunities for the community. Annual membership dues for the historical society are: Individual - $ 10.00 or Lifetime - $100.00.

The society meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7 times a year. Locations vary between the Vinton War Memorial and the Museum. For more information, please call 540-342-8634, 540-890-0007, or
540-345-8018 .

Since the historical society is a non-profit organization, our primary sources of funding are through donations and profits earned from our fund raising events. Without these funds, the museum would cease to operate.

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THE MUSEUM COLLECTION

The museum is home to thousands of items that relate to the history of Vinton and the surrounding communities within the Roanoke Valley. Some of the items date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including Indian arrowheads, porcelain dolls, china, hand-made dough bowls, WWII memorabilia, a variety of period clothing, and a host of items from Vinton schools. We also have a vast collection of photographs taken in and around Vinton that capture the essence of the time period in which they were taken. The majority of the museum items were generously donated by individuals that realize the importance of historical preservation.

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MUSEUM LOCATION AND HOURS

The Vinton Historical Society and Museum
210 E. Jackson Avenue
P. O. Box 32
Vinton, Virginia 24179

Phone:    540-342-8634
                540-890-0007
                540-345-8018

For more information, please visit this web site:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~varoanok/vintonmuseum.htm

Museum Hours:
Saturdays
10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.
Mid-April through Early December
(and upon special request by individuals or groups)

Free Admission

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Last update: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:58 AM