Aiming for a Rockingham County museum, the Rockingham County Historical Society and the Rockingham County Museum & Archives will merge on January 1, 2011 with a new name, Rockingham County Historical Society Museum & Archives. The two groups see a common goal in preserving, exhibiting and promoting the history, culture, human and natural resources of Rockingham County for the benefit of present and future generations. In April Rockingham County Historical Society members approved the merger unanimously at a General Members Meeting.

Rev. John Burton, President of the Rockingham County Historical Society, says, ”Members of both groups see this as a merger of equals with a common vision of the future. This reorganization will smooth the way as we work to create a countywide historical museum. Each group brings tangible assets and we project our current membership of 300 will grow to 1000 within five years. Preserving and sharing the rich history of Rockingham County can provide a valued economic engine in our county. This new impetus for historic preservation will encourage Tourism, improve quality of life, and stimulate our tax base."

Operating since 1954, the Rockingham County Historical Society owns one of the earliest surviving commercial properties in North Carolina, Wright Tavern, as well as the High Rock Ford and Troublesome Creek Ironworks sites, important during the Revolutionary War. However, the Society’s collection of artifacts is now too extensive for the relatively small Tavern. Members have seen potential donations of local importance leave the county for want of a place to display them.

The two-year-old Rockingham County Museum & Archives, a non-profit organization formed to advocate for a county historical museum, contributes leadership and organizational skills and grant-writing ability along with museum display cases already donated by the Greensboro Historical Museum.

The two Boards of Directors will meet jointly until they become a single Board after the close of 2010. The Rockingham County Historical Society Museum and Archives will be fully committed to establishment of a museum and from inception will possess an established membership, an experienced board representing the entire county, programs and publications, valuable collections of artifacts, museum display cases, rental income, an endowment, and significant historic property.

A joint meeting was held with the Sons of the American Revolution and the Rockingham County Historical Society on April 19, 2008. Bob Carter led a tour of several historical sites within the county. Photos below are from the tour.

We held our annual Rockingham County Historical Society Christmas Social on Saturday evening December 2, 2006 at Wright Tavern. Over 20 members came out and a great time of fellowship was enjoyed by all. The tavern looked especially beautiful as it was decorated for the Christmas holiday season. If you didn't make it, we hope to see you next year and in the following months for special events planned for 2007. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Rockingham County Historical Society held the July 2006 general meeting at Summit Oaks the home of Dan and Beth Mosca in the Guilford County community of Browns Summit. Beth Mosca is the youngest daughter of the late Lillian and Paul Coleman of Reidsville. Her mother served as president of the Rockingham County Historical Society. The program began with an introduction by Steve Troxler, North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture, and neighbor about his family’s early connection to the property. Among the many historical records on display were post Revolutionary era maps of Rockingham and Guilford counties documenting 100 acres of property belonging to Jesse Parker for his service as a private in the Revolutionary War. Parker’s descendant, Jonathan Parker, probably built the first house. Eventually Isaac R. Troxler acquired the property. It became known as the Parker-Troxler Home. The original first construction dates back to 1850. Renovations /additions were made in circa 1880, 1910, 1940 and again in 1996 with the current owners, Dan and Beth.

Everyone enjoyed walking the property from the granary/ guest house quarters to the summer kitchen/ slave cabin and tobacco barns and sheds. Family and friends of the Mosca family conducted tours and served delicious refreshments on the spacious patio. Guests toured the old house and adjoining additions quick to observe that bathrooms were part of the new living space. Most memories are happy ones. Both Dan and Beth’s son and daughter were married at the house. Other weddings have been hosted there as well. Indeed even the walls of the old home contain a record of important milestones: the ages and heights of children on the inside of a closet door and the date 1881.

Shawn Bakos a 4th grade student at Draper Elementary School in Eden received 1st place from the Rockingham County Historical Society for her poster dedicated to her father, Steven Yowell, in the Veterans of Rockingham County poster contest judged at the Historical Village at Rockingham County Folk Festival May 6 at RCC. Her teacher is Michell Robinson. Shawn Bakos is the daughter of Christy and Steven Yowell of Eden. She received a check in the amount of $40 from the RCHistorical Society. (standing left to right) Ira Tilley, vice-president of the RCHistorical Society, Shawn Bakos (center) and Dennis Walters, president of the RCHistorical Society. ) Shawn states that her dad served in the Navy for 20 years and received the prestigious Parachute Award. The poster was judged according to title, text and graphics with captions and other criteria.

The Rockingham County Historical Society held a program "Restoration of the Hermitage" at the home of Jim and Honesta Dobyns at 1230 Boyd Road in Reidsville on Sunday, January 22. Approximately 30 members enjoyed a tour of the antebellum home built by George D. Boyd and Boyd's Store. Both historic structures were restored by their son, Bo Dobyns. The artifacts found on the property were on display as well. A great time was enjoyed by all. Keep checking our website often so you won't miss the next event.

Open House and the Encampment at the Tavern was held October 15th in Wentworth. Approximately 200 people showed up for the event. We even had International visitors from Japan this year. The event let everyone experience the Civil War Living History Encampment. Alexander's Battalion Field is a War Between the States Reenactment Group which is composed of folks having an interest in 19th Century medicine, especially pertaining to the Civil War Period. Most of the members have an extensive knowledge about 19th Century medicine and History pertaining to the 1861-1865 war period. Below are some pictures from the day.