Photo by Matt de Simone
By Matt de Simone
The Botetourt Historical Society (BCHS) and Museum provide visitors a chance to revisit some of Botetourt County’s history through education, exhibits, and activities. The museum’s 57-year history saw a couple of massive changes last year. One of those changes stemmed off of the county courthouse renovation project, causing the museum to successfully find a new home.
Leading up to the move of the old Breckinridge Law Offices that formerly housed the history museum, The Fincastle Herald will feature interviews with some of the individuals who love Botetourt’s rich history and help make the Botetourt County Museum of History and Culture a must-see destination.
Khari Ryder is currently going into his third year as Executive Director of the Botetourt County Chamber of Commerce. In his time at the chamber, Ryder has also become a member of the Botetourt County Historical Society’s (BCHS) Board of Directors.
Historically, according to Ryder, the role of Chamber Director wasn’t a responsibility to be involved with BCHS. However, due to Ryder’s interest in history—particularly what he learned about the county when he first took over at the chamber—he wanted to learn more about the history of Botetourt and the legacy of the historical society.
“For me, history has always been a huge love of mine,” Ryder stated in a recent interview. “I really have a deep love for history. When I came into this position and started getting a feel for the community and the county, and coming to realization of the history that’s here, I was really stimulated and personally wanted to be involved.
Ryder has a history of working in marketing, tourism, and hospitality. When he first came to Botetourt, Ryder could see how Botetourt’s history can potentially play into the county’s growth and also potential growth in the chamber and thought that it could be advantageous for the chamber director to have a role of the BCHS Board of Directors.
One of the first aspects of BCHS that appealed to Ryder included the intimate connection that the families and individuals that make up BCHS are a living part of Botetourt’s history.
“It’s rare you find that,” Ryder said. “The families start being the repository for the history of the area. Their daughters belong to it; their sons belong to it. Having seen that here, it’s just so rare to find that. To find someone like an Ed Holt who can tell you about traditions that have gone on since the 1700s… I think we tend to trivialize and minimize the historical impact that we all as individuals have if we continue to carry it on.
“You know the mantra ‘don’t live in the past, be in the present.’ We can be all three things (past, present, and future) all at once. Anymore, we don’t equate the past with anything. It’s all about living in the now or looking to the future, but without knowing your past, experiencing the present, and preparing for the future, you’ve got nothing. It’s impressive the sheer fact that all of this that I mentioned ties together in this locality, in Botetourt and Fincastle, specifically.”
Some of the factoids Ryder finds interesting included that Churchill Downs ties with the Breckinridges of Fincastle. Ryder started out his professional career as a horse trainer. His knowledge of the equestrian world brought him closer to Louisville, Ky. and Churchhill Downs, the site of the annual Kentucky Derby horse race on the first Saturday each May.
“I’m a horse guy. I knew about the Breckinridges of Kentucky. When I came here (to Fincastle) and saw the historical law offices I’m thinking, (the Breckinridges) moved west to east, not starting here and going out there. That’s one of the pieces that really astounded me. Thinking, ‘Man, this is where it started.’ For me to be in Louisville three or four times a year for the last 30-something years of my life and now tying it all together, that’s been eye-opening and something I never suspected.”
Recently, the chamber and BCHS have worked together to produce the “Haunted History” walking tour of Fincastle in fall, and also working along with the Botetourt Preservation Partnership (BPP) in producing the historic banners now on display around the beginnings of the courthouse renovation project which begins with the physical move of the old Breckinridge Law Offices (the former location of the Botetourt Museum of History and Culture) several feet from its current location.
Ryder’s vision is to help BCHS spread the significance of Botetourt County and its history so that younger members of the community can hopefully take an interest as well.
“History’s tangible. Some people don’t see it that way, but I do. People come to this area, love the beauty of it, but they’re living here and have no concept of where they’re truly living. I ask, ‘have we fulfilled our vision?’ There in lies the foundation of my passion—to help promote and perpetuate the county’s historical significance. It ties into my job but also ties into the bigger picture: the history of Botetourt County.”
To learn more about the Botetourt County Historical Society & Museum, visit bothistsoc.wordpress.com. The museum is located at 26 East Main Street in Fincastle and is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sundays from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.