By Debbie Adams
Members of the Vinton Historical Society/Vinton History Museum board and museum
volunteers received a huge surprise on September 30 with the presentation of a very substantial
check for $42,380 from the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia. The check was
delivered by Michelle Eberly, Director of Grants and Donor Engagement.
presented a check to the Vinton Historical Society to assist with its “Rising to New Heights
Cargo/Accessibility Lift” campaign, making the second floor of Vinton’s History Museum more
accessible to patrons. Pictured in the front row (from left) are Museum Executive Director Judy
Cunningham, and Michelle Oberly and Vinton Historical Society Program Chair Mary Beth
Layman (holding check). ) (photo by Debbie Adams)
The money is designated for the purchase and installation of a cargo/accessibility lift which will
enable greater access to the second floor of the Vinton History Museum for those with mobility
issues.
Currently the second floor of the museum is only accessible via a steep set of stairs original to
the Upson home on Jackson Avenue in downtown Vinton, built in 1906. The stately two-story
home was donated to the Town of Vinton by the Upson family and now houses over 4,000
artifacts and resources related to Vinton’s history.
The lack of accessibility creates a significant barrier for senior and physically challenged
individuals, hindering their ability to view and use historic items on the second floor. Restricted
access also makes it difficult to store and retrieve artifacts and to set up displays.
With approximately $60,000 already on hand from past projects, (along with scrimping and
saving throughout the years), the historical society took on the task of raising money for the
“Rising to New Heights Cargo/Accessibility Lift” campaign. This fundraising campaign is the
largest project the museum has undertaken since its opening in 1989.
The cost of the project was originally estimated at approximately $170,000; however, with
increased construction costs, the cost is now closer to $180,000.
The historical society plan was to raise an additional $60,000 from individuals, businesses, and
organizations to add to the money on hand. They kicked off the fundraising campaign on April
22, 2024, the 35 th anniversary of the museum. In the months since, the fundraising efforts have
brought in about $29,000 with donations of $1 and up. Now, with the generous donation from
the Community Foundation, they are close to reaching their goal and to getting the project
underway. Vinton Capital Projects Manager Jamie Hurt will supervise the project.
Members of the Fundraising Committee include Judy Cunningham, Julie Ferguson Huckaby,
Dale Ellis, Doug Sowers, Deanna Gordon, Anthony Amos, and Mary Beth Layman. Volunteer
Debbie Cooper is assisting with fundraising clerical needs. Youth volunteer Annabelle Teague is
helping with preparation of information as well. Others present for the check presentation
included Darlene Richardson, Town Manager Pete Peters, Vinton Mayor Brad Grose, Deputy
Town Manager Cody Sexton, and Judy Kelley.
Vinton Town Manager Pete Peters said, “We appreciate all who have supported this project by
assisting with fundraising and contributions, in addition to the substantial donation from the
Community Foundation.”
Eberly commented at the ceremony that the Vinton History Museum is a very important part of
the community, that the cargo lift is a much-needed addition, and that the Community
Foundation is “in full support of making it happen.”
The history museum applied for the grant over a year ago. Museum Executive Director Judy
Cunningham and intern Alyssa Moorman attended a Community Foundation workshop
concerning the goals of the foundation and their application process. They shared the needs of
the museum with Eberly.
She came to the museum for a site visit and took the “grand tour.” Once she became acquainted
with the museum, she felt the cargo lift was a project the foundation would like to pursue. The
foundation was also impressed by the fundraising efforts the museum had already undertaken.
Meanwhile, the fundraising committee continued to explore other funding options and potential
grants.
Vinton Associate Planner Fayula Gordon and Debbie Pitts, treasurer of the historical society,
completed the application. The rest is history.
Community foundations are non-profit organizations that hold, administer, invest, and make
grants from both endowed and non-endowed funds, established by individuals, families, and
others. They are, in effect, public charities.
The Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia was established in 1988. It administers
many hundreds of funds ranging in size from thousands to millions of dollars. The local
foundation serves the cities of Martinsville, Roanoke, and Salem and the counties of Botetourt,
Craig, Franklin, Henry, Patrick, and Roanoke. It is well-known in Vinton for contributions to
schools (including funding art programs and supplies), events (like the Dogwood Festival), and
organizations.
The Vinton Historical Society is still welcoming donations of any size to help put them over the
top in fundraising for this project. Call 540-342-8634 or stop by the museum located at 210 East
Jackson Avenue on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and first Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 2
p.m.
