The Vinton Historical Society and Vinton History Museum have announced their schedule through the Fourth of July.
At their meeting on April 17, Wendi Allen, the Virginia Room librarian at the Roanoke Library, will present a program on DNA at the Vinton War Memorial at 2 p.m., open to the public.
The museum will hold an open house on Saturday, April 28, during the Dogwood Festival from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the museum located at 210 East Jackson Avenue in downtown Vinton.
Their annual yard sale fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, May 12, from 8 a.m. until noon. Donations of good saleable items (no clothing) are needed and can be brought to the museum on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during regular museum hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Volunteers are needed for the yard sale. All proceeds go to museum operations and upgrading electrical and plumbing systems.
The annual Vinton Historical Society potluck luncheon is scheduled for May 15 at the Vinton Baptist Disciple Center at noon. The program will include updates on the Town of Vinton from Mayor Brad Grose and Town Manager Barry Thompson and on Roanoke County from Jason Peters, who serves as Vinton’s representative on the Board of Supervisors.
The museum is closed on Memorial Day, May 28, and on July 4.
Volunteers are needed at the Vinton History Museum to serve as hosts and hostesses during the open house on April 28 and at the yard sale. Hosts are also needed during regular museum hours from 10 a.m. until noon or from noon until 2 p.m. Assistants are needed for clerical work and to help with genealogy and collection research. The museum also has need of volunteers for general facility maintenance, landscaping, and lawn maintenance. There are even ways to work from home.
The Vinton Historical Society is a non-profit organization so fundraising is imperative in “Preserving the Past for the Future.”
The public is encouraged to support the Vinton Historical Society through membership.
Other fundraising activities include the sale of the Town of Vinton Tapestry Throws for $55. The woven, 100 percent cotton blankets measure 54 inches by 70 inches with a two-inch fringe. They feature landmarks of Vinton such as the Vinton War Memorial, the High Ground Veterans Monument, the Vinton Library, Roland E. Cook School, Gish’s Mill, William Byrd High School, the Vinton History Museum, the Town Clock, and the Town Seal.
The Vinton Historical Society also participates in the Kroger Community Rewards Program.
The members sell commemorative bricks for the Memory Pergola on the front lawn for $50. There are also “My Story Begins Here in Vinton” T-shirts for $15.
Current Vinton Historical Society officers include President Randy Layman, Vice President Jan Dickens, Secretary Debbie Pitts, Treasurer Doug Forbes, Programs Mary Beth Layman, Directors Beth Abbott and Denny Dickens, and Director Emeritus Mattie Forbes.
For more information call the history museum at 342-8634.
