History

Appraisers do their thing at annual event

By Ellie Browning on March 19, 2019 Community, History

Joel Birkitt from the Buckingham Antique Mall talks to a customer. The Chesterfield Historical Society held its 11th annual Antiques Evaluation Saturday, March 16 at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds. “I have been appraising for about 30 years,” local appraiser Joe Lipscombe said. “If you’re in this business, you do an appraising every day because we buy and sell. We [have got to] know how much to pay so we can make a profit when we sell,” he said. “There’s so much stuff out here, and it’s such a broad field, you can’t just go take a six-month course and become…

Live history

By Press release on February 26, 2019 Community, History

Storyteller and performer Charmaine Crowell-White entertained students during three lunch events at Carver Middle School Feb. 8. Students enjoyed a first-person performance by Crowell-White as Sukey, Dolley Madison’s personal maid. She described how Sukey and other house servants saved the portrait of George Washington and many other historical documents and items when the White House was set on fire by the British soldiers in 1812.

A sharecropper’s life: Matoaca resident talks about his grandfather’s legacy

By Danielle Ozbat on February 19, 2019 Community, History

Jim McKnight holds a copy of a book he wrote about his grandfather. For 30 years of William Holliday Sr.’s life, his family would recite his history and achievements at their family reunion. When Holliday died in 2004 at the age of 112, he was one of the oldest men in the country and his grandson, Jim McKnight, said he wanted his legacy to stay alive. “All I knew is that the documents and the history, once it’s written, it’s written, and if it’s just on a piece of paper, it’ll get lost and misplaced and that’s the end of…

‘Triple Nickels’ remembered

By Press release on November 27, 2018 Community, History

Members of the Jesse J. Mayes Tri-Cities Chapter of the 555th Parachute Infantry Assoc., attended a commemoration of Ettrick’s Triple Nickel Bridge on Nov. 16. The 555th Parachute Infantry was the nation’s first all-black parachute infantry platoon, and was affectionately known as the ‘Triple Nickels.’

The historic Yellow House holds tales from years gone by

By Caleb M Soptelean on November 27, 2018 Clubs, Community, History

The Chester Garden Club is offering a tour of an 1840s-era house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. The holiday home tour of the Yellow House, formerly known as the Winfree House, is a fundraiser for the club’s community beautification efforts. The L-shaped home has six rooms. Each is 18 feet x 18 feet. Sara Burgess Gibson is the home’s current owner, and enjoys sharing it with the community. Gibson was born in and grew up in the home, which is located at 3001 W. Hundred Road between Chester YMCA and Sunset Memorial Park cemetery. She has…

100th anniversary of Armistice adds to annual commemoration

By Eileen Abbott on November 13, 2018 Community, History, Military

Chesterfield County elementary school students made 450 clay poppies that were planted in the lawn of the old Chesterfield Courthouse for a special ceremony Sunday, Nov. 11, symbolizing the significance of this Veterans Day. One hundred years ago, on Nov. 11, 1918, the Armistice was signed to mark the end of World War I “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.” At the WWI Centennial and Veterans Day Commemoration, those who attended honored the 450 Chesterfield residents who served in WWI and also paid tribute to 19 of those residents who died in that war,…

Chesterfield’s heroes and villains: Lescault tells tales from long ago to local crowd

By Caleb M Soptelean on October 16, 2018 History

ABOVE: Russ Lescault speaks at the Chesterfield County Museum, 6831 Mimms Loop; A black-powder pistol made in Spain is similar to models that could have been used in a duel. Russ Lescault loves talking about history. Lescault, 61, is a retired hostage negotiator and search and rescue coordinator. He was also the resident historian for the Chesterfield police department and sheriff’s office and a part-time faculty member at Virginia State and Virginia Commonwealth universities. Last week, he gave a presentation titled, “Early Heroes and Villains of Chesterfield County.” Speaking at the county museum Oct. 11, Lescault regaled the small crowd with…

Never forget: Love for country, friends behind veterans memorial

By Linda Fausz on May 22, 2018 Community, History

William T. “Billy” Stubbs has an exceptional memory. His life story documenting nearly 95 years, encompasses childhood, school, friends, career and marriage. His wartime memories seem the most vivid as he shares his experiences as a Marine Corp veteran of the “War in the Pacific” and the loss of four friends. “Bensley was a very small community prior to World War II,” he said. “There were about 20 young men from the community that were drafted. All served overseas and four were killed in defense of our great country. We all went to Chester High School together. “Bruce Graham was…

Revisiting history: Commemoration of Chief Powhatan’s death attracts visitors from Canada

By Caleb M Soptelean on April 10, 2018 History

Michael Anderson brought his family from Canada to Henricus Historical Park on Saturday to view where his ancestors lived. Anderson, a Petersburg native who relocated to Toronto a number of years ago, said he found out in recent months that his ancestor 12 generations removed resided on what had been Fort Henricus on the peninsula 40 feet above sea level. Anderson brought his wife and daughters to the park, which was commemorating the 400th anniversary of Chief Powhatan’s death in 1618. Powhatan, or Wahunsenacah, died at age 72. While at Henricus, the Andersons talked to several Native Americans who were…

A free weekend of Chesterfield History featuring Magnolia Grange, Chesterfield County Museum and 1892 Historic Jail

By Caleb M Soptelean on March 20, 2018 History, Uncategorized

Chesterfield – Magnolia Grange, the Chesterfield County Museum and the 1892 Historic Jail will be among the Richmond Region’s most renowned historic sites that will be offering a “passport” to “time travel” during a special admission-free weekend on March 24 and 25. Tourists and locals alike are invited to discover the history of Chesterfield County. Each site will offer complimentary admission to visitors who show a Time Travelers Passport, available at www.chesterfieldhistory.com. All participating sites are offering a prize opportunity for Passport holders during the Time Travelers Weekend. The prizes will feature items from each of the participating sites’ gift…

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