The March meeting of the Historical Society will be on March 8, 1999 at the Surry Recreation Center at 7 p.m. Please join other members and friends for a very exciting program by Mr. Mark Wenger, Architectural Historian for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Mr. Wenger recently surveyed the buildings of the Rogers' Store in Carsley, Virginia and has prepared a preliminary report of his findings for the Society. All indications are that a country store was operating in the oldest buildings in the 1820's, over 170 years ago. Undoubtedly, we will learn more as the buildings are cleaned out, giving access to areas now hidden. Your president accompanied Mark in his survey and found it amazing the clues he can find and the things they tell him. He can literally peel away the generations of changes to arrive at its original beginning. To put the age of this historical site in perspective, it appears likely from the initial survey that it was built in the same decade as the Old Clerk's Office at the Court House in Surry. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about an important part of our county's history.

In addition, there will be interesting displays relating to life in Surry County. These displays have already become an exciting part of our meetings. If any of you have items relating to life and families in Surry County and are willing to display them at one of our meetings, please contact me or any other officer or Board member. Remember, most of these items will have never been displayed before. They are part of Surry County's "Hidden History."

Report on the December Meeting: The December meeting was a BIG success. Over fifty members and friends heard Mr. Nicholas Luccketti's program and saw slides on Smith's Fort. There was great interest in the display of artifacts from Smith's Fort and an extensive display of Chestnut Farm memorabilia brought by Margaret Sue Berryman. Fifteen new members joined the Society that night.

The Society's New Office: The move into our new office at 84 Main Street, Surry, VA, across from the Post Office is in progress. By our March meeting, it should be furnished. We have a copier, a gift of the Virginia Genealogical Society. Member Dennis Evans has given us two desks and three bookcases. Member Mike Stevens of the Surry House Restaurant has two filing cabinets for us. We have a film strip reader. A great beginning for the new office! We are deeply grateful to these and other members and friends for their generous support of this project.

SCVHS Feb. '99 Newsletter, page 2