This year the Botetourt County Historical Society and Museum (BCHS) is participating for the second time. This is a critical juncture for BCHS with the uncertainty of the future plans for Courthouse Square and due to COVID-19 the inability to have many of the planned 2020 activities upon which BCHS relies to generate revenue.
On a chilly November day in 1966, over 600 Botetourt County residents and visitors stood in line to visit the newly opened Botetourt County Historical Society Museum, located in the former law office of Revolutionary General James Breckinridge and the prior Western Hotel in the Courthouse Square in Fincastle. Later this year the museum hopes to celebrate its 55th anniversary.
Botetourt County has provided generous support for the museum over the years. Since the museum has opened, the county has doubled in population and the courthouse is in need of expansion and renovation for which plans are currently in process.
Being located 20 feet or less from the existing courthouse walls, the museum will face significant challenges in remaining open during the courthouse expansion for safety and logistic reasons. This will probably take the form of the museum having to relocate during that period. It is a financial challenge that BCHS is asking for the public’s help in surmounting.
Those wishing to donate to BCHS through RV Gives may do so on-line at https://www.rvgives.org/organizations/botetourt-county-historical-society-inc on March 10. There will be volunteers at the museum, located at 3 West Main Street in Fincastle, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for those who would like to drop by or need assistance.
