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Hours are subject to change and it is always best to telephone before visiting. Presently, Summer regular hours are Mon, Wed, & Thurs 10 am to 6:00 pm. Tues is 12 to 8:00pm. Fri and Sat are 10 am to 2 pm. Telephone: [540] 629-9191. Fax [540] 629-9840. E-Mail: [email protected]. Postal Mail and Location: Bassett Branch Historical Center, 3964 Fairystone Park Highway, Bassett, Virginia 24055.

 The Bassett Branch Historical Center is the repository for all genealogical research and local history for its area. The collection is outstanding and especially helpful to any researcher whose ancestors lived in Southside Virginia or the north central part of North Carolina. In addition, the newly renovated building is very comfortable and a joy to work in, for genealogical researchers. Veteran genealogists who have braved the cold and damp to trudge through old cemeteries in late autumn, and spent hours working in the musty smell of old courthouse basements in winter/early spring most certainly will appreciate the newly renovated facility.

The Bassett Branch collection is known throughout the country and serves people from Virginia and more than half the other States. A CD-ROM-equipped PC enables patrons to take advantage of resources that are being published in that format. There is a microfilm reader and installation of updated computers and a new computer network was installed in fall of 1999.

Historical Background: The Great Wagon Road from Philadelphia through Roanoke and Franklin Counties and into Henry County carried settlers, Indian traders, and soldiers, who were of many ethnic backgrounds. Among them were English, Scotch-Irish, and German settlers. Those who kept records were Friends [Quakers] who settled in New Garden near Greensboro, and Moravians, who settled in Salem near Winston-Salem. Also, Gen. George Washington [who came to Ft. Trial and inspected it] kept a diary of his trip. Settlers from Tidewater Virginia often moved westward from the coast into Brunswick, Lunenburg, Halifax and Pittsylvania Counties. Henry County, named in honor of Patrick Henry, was formed in 1777.

Among the Historical Center's Collections: Henry County abounds in a rich and colorful history. It is possible for researchers to find records of their ancestors taking the Oath of Allegiance or fighting in the Revolutionary War. Along with Civil War records, there are over 2,000 local history files housed in the collection. Henry County is one of the five counties in Virginia which has a Cohabitation List, which helps establish the family structure of slave families.

The "Bicentennial Collection" has records and loose papers found in the Henry County Courthouse. They were copied before the originals were sent to Richmond to be archived. They have been indexed and organized into a 29-volume set and are accessible to the public.

The papers of local genealogist, the late Mrs. Lela C. Adams, are being copied and will be made available for researchers at the Center. Also, there are many unpublished materials on the Virginia Counties of: Henry, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Franklin, and Floyd. On North Carolina Counties, there are materials on Rockingham, Surry, and Stokes. There are over 4,500 family files and several microfilm collections, and items are always being added. Much of the unpublished information in manuscripts is only available at the Center.

Acknowledgements: All photos on this web page were taken by Mr. Desmond Kendrick and are being displayed courtesy of Bassett Branch Historical Center.