Photographs like this one of students at Academy Hill School in 1936 will be among the items on display at a new special exhibit that opens at the Botetourt County Historical Museum on February 1.

Entitled “Finding What Has Been Lost,” the exhibit will feature a collection of artifacts, documents and pictures that focus on the history of the Botetourt County African American community.  An opening reception and open house will be held at the museum on Saturday, Feb. 4, from noon until 2 pm. (Snow date is Saturday, Feb. 11, at the same time.) The public is invited and admission is free. The special exhibit will focus on the African American communities of Botetourt, their citizens and their stories. The museum is located directly behind the main courthouse building in Fincastle (use the sidewalk that goes around the left side of the building). It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. Admission is free.  For more information, contact the museum at 473-8394 or at wmartin@botetourtva.gov.