The Botetourt County Historical Society will hold its 14th annual Founders Day Dinner on Friday, Oct. 21, at Fincastle United Methodist Church Family Life Center beginning at 6:30 p.m.
This year’s speaker is Elizabeth Kostelny, the CEO of Preservation Virginia. Her topic will encompass Historic Preservation Opportunities and the Communities They Impact. Kostelny has been a member of the staff at Preservation Virginia, the nation’s first statewide preservation organization founded in 1889 since 1990. She began as its curator of collections, and since 2001, has served as the organization’s chief executive officer. Under Kostelny’s leadership, Preservation Virginia is expanding its programs and advocacy efforts to ensure historic places across the Commonwealth are preserved and utilized.
Kostelny’s work with Preservation Virginia is a timely topic after Botetourt County celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2020. The county boasts many historic properties, and the society is excited to have Kostelny’s expert reflection of the county’s longstanding heritage.
A buffet dinner will be served, and the Historical Society’s annual awards will be presented, in addition to the keynote address. The dinner is a fundraiser for Botetourt County Historical Society Inc. and funds raised from the event are used to help fund the operation of the Historical Society and Museum and its other programs.
The Society would also like to thank the generous sponsors for this year’s dinner: Bank of Botetourt, Alderson Insurance, First Bank, Digital Image Printing, Roanoke Cement/Titan America, and the Virginia Room at Roanoke City Public Libraries, as well as the board members and volunteers that have worked tirelessly to put this hallmark event on after several years of dormancy due to Covid.
Everyone is invited to purchase a ticket and attend the dinner in support of the Historical Society. Tickets are $35/person and can be purchased through BCHS board members, at the museum at 26 E. Main Street (Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.), or by mail, P.O. Box 468, Fincastle, 24090. For further information, contact the Historical Society at 540-473-0148 or botetourtcomuseum@gmail.com.
~ Botetourt County Historical Society