Prince George County Regional Heritage Center

01/24/2021

We Remember Kathy…
It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Kathleen Montei, our dear friend and tireless worker for the Heritage Center. Kathy and her husband Terry were members and supporters from the opening of the Center in 2008. Our sincerest sympathy is extended to Terry, daughter Amy, and son Mike. Kathy’s smile will be greatly missed in our midst. A memorial fund has been established by the Board of Directors to permanently remember her service.

12/15/2020

The Heritage Center Presents

“Coloring for Christmas”
The Heritage Center Presents

“Coloring for Christmas”

December 14, 2020

Celebrate your heritage and history each week by coloring the picture. Send us a picture of your artwork and we will publish it on Facebook and the Center’s website. Please include your name so our web visitors will know who the artist is.
[email protected]

This week we feature the Christmas Tree, a centerpiece for most family Christmas observances for many generations. In the early days, trees were nearly always freshly cut on the farms in the area. One of the early family traditions was going to cut the tree around Christmas Eve. Sometimes families walked, sometimes the farm wagon and horses did the job or in later times, the farm truck would be used to bring home the tree.

12/09/2020

“Coloring for Christmas”

December 2020

Celebrate your heritage and history each week by coloring the picture. Send us a picture of your artwork and we will publish it on Facebook and the Center’s website. Please include your name so our web visitors will know who the artist is.

This week we feature the Advent Wreath which is seen around the world as an important part of the countdown to Christmas. On the four Sundays prior to Christmas Day a candle is lit. It may also have a center candle which is lit on Christmas Day. A wreath such as this was fashioned from greens found on the farms around Prince George and was always a part of the Czech and Slovak preparation for the Christmas Season as well as in other homes and Churches.

06/30/2020

The Center remains closed through July 15, 2020. Meanwhile, we are working on new projects that will enhance the visitors experience and celebrate our wonderful County's heritage. We'll be back soon . 👍

05/26/2020

Garden tour: Tonight on PBS at 8:00 be sure to watch "Virginia Home Grown" for a tour of the garden at the home of Gil and Dave Young. Featuring native plants, this spectacular garden had been slated to be on the April Garden Week Tour that was canceled as Covid-19 struck.

05/22/2020

05/19/2020

Petersburg Region

We invite you to "visit" through this virtual tour of the exhibits at our Center without leaving your home! Community is everything at a time like this. If you are able, please support your local small businesses, local food banks, nonprofits, and cultural institutions during this time of uncertainty by shopping or donating online.

Look Back at the Prince George County Regional Heritage Center and Then Plan a Visit When the Center Reopens on June 15! The Center’s exhibits tell the fascinating story of the County’s history from prehistoric, through first inhabitants to 20th century immigration, and all of the wars that have touched its soils. African-American history, Czech and Slovak heritage, religions, education, many generations, all represented and presented in the Heritage Center state-of-the art exhibits and programs. Located in the 1883 courthouse, the old courtroom is also open to visitors. Visit www.BestPartVA.org or call 804-861-1666.

05/15/2020

Announcing: he Virginia Czech and Slovak Folklife Festival has been officially canceled for 2020 in light of the Covid-19 outbreak and its expected long-lasting effects. We look forward to a new year in 2021 and a renewed celebration of the wonderful heritage that the Festival has brought to us in past years. We are not sure what changes will be forthcoming as we deal with the "new normal" but we do know we look forward to the 2021 event on October 16. Thank you for your continued support as we work through all of this.

05/08/2020

Curbside pick-up is available for Mother’s Day gifts from our gift shop! Shell Rings are $5 and the Garden Tool Set is $21! Email [email protected] if interested! ✨💐
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#shoplocal #supportlocal #princegeorge #virginia #mothersdaygiftideas @ Prince George County Regional Heritage Center

05/06/2020

Beautiful Mother’s Day gifts that are available for curbside pick-up! Just email [email protected] 💐
Czech glass: $5-7
Floral Pottery Vases: $10
Quilted Purses: $21 @ Prince George County Regional Heritage Center

05/04/2020

Mother’s Day is right around the corner 🌷🌼💐 treat your mom to something nice from our gift shop! We are offering curbside pick up ✨ just email [email protected] ✨ @ Prince George County Regional Heritage Center

04/30/2020

We miss you and we hope you all are staying safe and healthy. We hope we can all be together again soon ✨ if you can, support your local small businesses, local food banks, nonprofits, and cultural institutions by shopping or donating online ❤️
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#princegeorge #princegeorgeregionalheritagecenter #supportlocal #supportsmallbusiness #va #virginia #onlineshop #donate

04/29/2020

💡Local History Trivia💡
Q: In the most recent fifty years of Prince George County history, can you name at least two major environmental efforts to make the County a better place in which to live?
A: James River clean-up after Kepone contamination Program establishing the eagle preserve along the James River.
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#princegeorge #princegeorgeregionalheritagecenter #vahistory #virginia #va #historymuseum #historytrivia #local #nonprofit

04/28/2020

💡Local History Trivia💡
Q: In the most recent fifty years of Prince George County history, can you name at least two major environmental efforts to make the County a better place in which to live?
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#princegeorge #localhistory #vahistory #va #virginia #historytrivia #princegeorgeregionalheritagecenter

04/23/2020

💡History Trivia💡
Q:Can you name this object and what animal it belongs to?
A: Pig Tooth
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#princegeorge #history #naturalhistory #historymuseum #distancelearning #princegeorgeregionalheritagecenter #va #virginia #vahistory

04/21/2020

💡History Trivia💡
Q: Can you name this object and what animal it belongs to?
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#princegeorge #princegeorgeregionalheritagecenter #history #vahistory #naturalhistory #distancelearning #virginia #va

04/20/2020

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04/19/2020

💡History Trivia💡
A Czech-Slovak trunk that came to Virginia by Franz Skalsky and his extended family, who left the port of Bremmen in Baltimore on April 30, 1896. The Skalsky’s came from Baltimore to Southside Virginia, where they farmed one year in Dinwiddie County and then purchased 264 acres in Prince George County. Today, descendants of Franz Skalsky still live on and maintain portions of this original farm.
Q: If you had a single trunk or suitcase, what would you take to your new home?
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#historytrivia #vahistory #va #virginia #distancelearning #princegeorgeregionalheritagecenter #history

04/18/2020

💡History Trivia💡
Q: Why in Prince George County are early deed books so valuable?

A: Many books and records were destroyed or lost in the Civil War. Deed books such as this contain invaluable genealogical as well as property records. The Heritage Center is fortunate that, in working with the County Clerk of Court, the first deed book is on display for the public to view and the information within it is available at the Clerk's Office.
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#princegeorge #vahistory #distancelearning #princegeorgeregionalheritagecenter #virginia #historytrivia

04/17/2020

The oldest deed book in the County of Prince George, 1710-1714. A resident of Ohio found it in an attic and returned it to Prince George. It is believed to have been taken by a soldier from the Union Army.
💡History Trivia💡
Q: Why in Prince George County are early deed books so valuable?
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#princegeorge #vahistory #virginia #historymuseum #distancelearning #princegeorgeregionalheritagecenter @ Prince George County Regional Heritage Center

04/16/2020

💡History Trivia💡
Q: When do you think the earliest forms of banking took place?

A: The earliest record of banking goes back to 4,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia. Similar to how banks work today, some of the first bankers kept gold and silver for people and would conduct loans.
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#princegeorgeregionalheritagecenter #virginia #va #historytrivia #distancelearning #history

04/15/2020

The cashier’s or teller’s cage was part of the original Bank furniture. It was through this window that the citizens of the Prince George area conducted their day to day bank business. There was no drive-thru window or electronic banking.
💡History Trivia💡
Q: Q: When do you think the earliest forms of banking took place?
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#princegeorge #distancelearning #historytrivia #virginia #princegeorgeregionalheritagecenter

04/14/2020

💡History Trivia💡
Q: What do you think Native Americans used pottery for?
A: Native Americans used pottery for various purposes including cooking, to hold water, preserve food, to store grains, for art, and to sell.
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#princegeorge #history #va #historytrivia #distancelearning #princegeorgeregionalheritagecenter

04/13/2020

From Jordan’s Journey (Jordan Point): Westerwald stoneware sherd, a salt-glazed cobalt blue and gray, and a spoon bowl with fleur-de-lis pattern. Stoneware and bowl are on loan from the VA Department of Historic Resources and the Indian pottery sherd is from near Tay Bay on the James River. All are currently on display at Prince George County Regional Heritage Center.
💡History Trivia💡
Q: What do you think Native Americans used pottery for?
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#princegeorge #virginia #history #historytrivia #distancelearning #princegeorgeregionalheritagecenter

04/12/2020

It is believed that the Easter bunny first arrived to America by German immigrants in the 1700’s. They settled in Pennsylvania bringing over the tradition of “an egg-laying hare” called “Osterhase,” where children would make nests so the hare could lay it’s colored eggs. The tradition spread and evolved to include chocolate and other gifts. We hope you all have a safe and happy Easter!
*All items can be purchased from our gift shop online! Cute spring trinkets, beautiful Czech glass, and these fun paper mache eggs ✨🌷
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#princegeorge #princegeorgecounty #princegeorgeregionalheritagecenter #history #distancelearning #historymuseum @ Prince George County Regional Heritage Center

04/11/2020

💡History Trivia Q&A💡

04/10/2020

💡History Trivia💡
Q: Can you name this object?
Hint: Clay fragments of an object that has been in use for over 300 years and is thought to have originated in England in the 1500’s.
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#princegeorgeva #princegeorgeregionalheritagecenter #vahistory #virginia #distancelearning #historylessonoftheday

04/09/2020

💡 History Trivia Q&A! 💡
Q: What organization was founded in 1909 that had as a mission the educational equality of all people?
A: NAACP—The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

04/08/2020

The Disputanta Training School was an early African American school founded in 1919 on Webb Street, which presently stands at Route 460 in Prince George County. Built originally from rustic materials, African Americans were educated and provided valuable life skills here until J.E.J. Moore School was built. After 1956, the school became Bessie Mason Elementary School. School memorabilia and an original desk can be found at the Prince George Regional Heritage Center.
❓💡 History Trivia ❓💡
What organization was founded in 1909 that had as a
mission the educational equality of all people?
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#princegeorgeva #princegeorgeregionalheritagecenter #historytrivia #virginia #va #historymuseum

04/07/2020

💡 History Trivia Q&A 💡

04/06/2020

Over 600 Czech and Slovak families immigrated to Prince George in the late 1800’s, which created cultural and political elements that remain in the County today. They, along with many immigrants from across the world have become an integral part of this area’s history and heritage. Kroje, or traditional Czech and Slovak folk costumes are typically handmade and diverse. Each region and village have a distinct Kroje that vary in color, fabric, and style.
💡❓History Trivia 💡❓
What is the process called when a person or family moves to a new country permanently?

04/05/2020

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04/04/2020

The F.L. Buren Store that was built in circa 1870 along the old stagecoach route, now Courthouse Road, supplied the community as well as courthouse visitors for over one hundred years. It closed in 1983. The site of the store was near a Federal troop encampment during the Civil War, directly across from what is now the Prince George County Regional Heritage Center. Today the store site is a component of the Prince George Courthouse Historic District, certified by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

💡History Questions of the day💡
1) Which of the following items could you buy at Buren’s General Store?
(a) Shoes/clothing
(b) Medicine
(c) Milk
(d) Lottery ticket
(e) Hay and animal feed
(f) Take-out meals

2) Which credit cards did the store accept?

04/03/2020

The modern style violin, or fiddle was introduced in the 16th century, circa 1550. However, similar stringed, bowed instruments were produced as early as the Middle Ages.💡🎻
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#princegeorgeva #princegeorgeregionalheritagecenter #historyquestionoftheday #historyforkids #distancelearning

04/02/2020

We will be developing history questions of the day for kids or friends of all ages to engage in distance learning! Feel free to share your answers and we will reveal our answers the following day!
❓💡Question of the day: What is the instrument in the photo? How long do you think this instrument has been in use? 💡❓
This photo was taken at our Czech and Slovak Folklife Festival that is hosted annually on the 3rd Saturday of October! Traditional food & beer, live music, entertainment, games, and agricultural exhibits. This year the festival will be on October 17th—mark your calendars!
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#princegeorgeva #czechandslovak #princegeorgeregionalheritagecenter #historyforkids #historyquestionoftheday #distancelearning