Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library

08/28/2026

Samuel Hirsh – Clothier and Gent’s Furnisher on Bridge Street in Bedford
Mr. Samuel Hirsh operated Hirsh – Clothier and Gent’s Furnisher for twenty-four years on Bridge Street in Bedford.
1880 Census – Liberty, Bedford, Virginia
• Samuel Hirsch, 35, Head, Born in Germany, Occupation: Clothier
• Annie Hirsch, 27, Wife
• Israel Hirsch, 5, Son
• Hellen Hirsch, 3, Daughter
• Rachael Hirsch, 2, Daughter
According to records at the Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, Adolphine Hirsh (wife of Samuel Hirsh) purchased property in 1881 on Bridge Street. According to the deed it was the old parsonage property owned by the Presbyterian Church.
You can see advertisements from his store in the pictures attached to this post. The ads ran in the paper from 1889 to 1894. Mr. Hirsh lost his wife Adolphine in February of 1896. He had to put up a bond to qualify to be administrator of his wife’s personal estate.
From the Bedford Democrat Newspaper – April 29, 1897 – Page 3:
“Hirsh, the old reliable clothier, will leave in a few days for Norfolk. In his advertisement this week he extends an affectionate farewell to all his old customers. Mr. Hirsh is the pioneer merchant of Bedford, having been in business here continuously during the past twenty-four years. He built the first business house on Bridge Street, now the principal business street of the city. His son, I. S. Hirsh, will remain here a short time to close up their business, when he will join his father in Norfolk. Mr. Hirsh has many friends in Bedford, who regret his departure and wish for him continued success in his new home. Read his ad.”
By the 1900 census Samuel Hirsh is living on Duke Street in Norfolk, Virginia. His household appeared as follows:
• Samuel Hirsh, Head, Born July 1847, 52 years old, Widowed, Born in Germany, Naturalized Citizen, Immigrated in 1860, Occupation: Gents Furnisher.
• Israel S. Hirsh, 22, Son
• Helen A. Hirsh, 20, Daughter
• Ray A. Hirsh, 19, Daughter
• Terry Walker, 22, Servant
The Hirsh family returned to Bedford in September of 1908. The following article was published in the Bedford Democrat Newspaper on September 10, 1908:
Will Return to Bedford.
“S Hirsh, of Norfolk, was in the city yesterday. Mr. Hirsh has rented the E G Abbott store on Bridge street, and as soon as the necessary repairs can be made will open a full line of clothing and gents furnishings. He formerly conducted a clothing store in Bedford, and is well known to many of our people. He moved to Norfolk about ten years ago. He expects to open here about the middle of October.”
Mr. Samuel Hirsh reopened his place of business on October 15th, 1908.
1910 census – Liberty, Bedford, Virginia
Bedford Ave
• Samuel Hirsh, 63, Head
• Israel Hirsh, 31, Son
• PW Capehart, 27, Daughter
• Adolphine Capehart, 7, Granddaughter
• Daisie Berger, 20, Servant
Mr. Samuel Hirsh passed away suddenly on June 18, 1914, in his store of heart trouble. Below is his obituary which was published in the Richmond Times Dispatch Newspaper on June 19, 1914 – Page 2:
Samuel Hirsh.
“Bedford City, Va., June 18. – Samuel Hirsh, a prominent and highly-esteemed merchant, died very suddenly today about 1 o’clock at his place of business. His health had been delicate for some time from an affection of the heart. His son, Israel Hirsh, who was associated with him in business, had just gone out and Mr. Hirsh was serving a customer, when, without warning, he sank to the floor. The customer ran to the door and called for aid. Mr. Raflo, whose door is opposite, responded, and a physician was summoned, but death had been instantaneous.
He is survived by his son and two daughters – Mrs. Capeheart, who resided with him, and Mrs. Busky, of Norfolk.”
He was laid to rest in the Hebrew Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia.

08/21/2026

Banner Fundraiser

Would you like to help the Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library offset the cost of the historic banners hanging throughout town?
There are several ways you can donate:
-Scan the QR code.
-Stop by the museum and place your donation in the jar.
-Donate through our website.

We truly appreciate anything you can give to help support this project and preserve the history of our community.

Thank you for your generosity and support!

08/20/2026

Get ready to relive the magic of the holiday season by sharing your most cherished and treasured Bedford memories & photos with us! We want to see the moments that make your heart sparkle, the laughter, the love, and the joy that fills your holiday season. We'll take those special moments and transform them into ornaments that will adorn our Festival of Trees tree at the Bedford Area Welcome Center 🎄❤️. Imagine seeing your favorite holiday memories shining bright on our tree, surrounded by the festive atmosphere of the Welcome Center. It's a unique opportunity to make your holiday season even more unforgettable! So, dig through your photo albums, scroll through your camera roll, and share your most precious Bedford holiday moments with us. We can't wait to see them! 🎅️
Come in the Bedford Museum and write down your favorite Christmas memory in Bedford. We would love to have your unique handwriting on each ornament. 🙂🎅
*Pictured is the Bedford Christmas Parade, Circa 1945.

08/19/2026

Patricia Brown King - Wrote a Weekly Column for the Bedford Bulletin Newspaper, Graduated from the Bedford Training School
Today the Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library would like to highlight Patricia Brown King (full maiden name Patricia Victoria Lee Brown). The following article was done on her on November 2, 1950 in the Bedford Bulletin Newspaper. She was featured in the Who's Who in Bedford County.
"Miss Patricia Victoria Lee Brown's muse is music but she finds time to do a weekly column for the Bulletin. She hasn't taken up typewriting but in long hand turns in the neatest and most legible copy of any of the Bulletin's reporters. She also has a paper route for the Bulletin and sells them like hot cakes.
Patricia is a senior at Bedford Training School, is president of the Music Club and a member of the Senior Home Club. She is a member of the Washington Street Baptist Church but sings in the junior choir at the Ebenezer Baptist Church at Glasgow, where her father, the Rev. C. L. Brown, preaches. She is also pianist for the Bedford County Youth Conference and is a member of the finance committee, youth department of the Virginia Baptist State Convention.
Next year Patricia plans to go to Virginia State College at Petersburg and major in music. There she has two brothers, both upperclassmen, whom she is sure will give her a time during her freshman year. She says ratting is rough at that college and with two brothers to rat her at the same time, she doesn't know if she will get through in one piece or not. Another brother, Willie, is in the seventh grade, made the honor roll the first six weeks and has a job after school hours at the Virginia Barber Shop.
The Browns live at 678 Orange Street, and the Rev. Brown teaches school at Montvale, and Mrs. Brown is a substitute teacher at the Bedford Training School.
Besides writing for the Bulletin, Patricia does a short column for the Roanoke Tribune, Negro edited weekly of Roanoke."

08/12/2026

Dr. William E. Hatcher – Noted Baptist Pastor and Bedford Native
Today, the Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library would like to highlight Dr. William E. Hatcher.
Yesterday, I came across Dr. Hatcher’s biography, written by his son, Eldridge Hatcher, approximately three years after his father’s death, around 1915. I read a portion of the biography and found it very informative. It provides a wonderful glimpse into Dr. Hatcher’s early life and his love of learning.
From an early age, Dr. Hatcher developed a strong love for books and knowledge. He enjoyed attending school and looked forward to discovering something new each day. After losing his mother at a young age, he was raised by his father. Unlike some of his siblings, William showed little interest in working on the farm. Instead, he preferred spending his time reading and pursuing his education.
Fortunately, his love of learning was recognized by his cousin, Dr. Jeremiah B. Jeter. Dr. Jeter encouraged William’s father to send him to a classical school in the neighborhood so that he could further his education. This opportunity would prove to be an important step in Dr. Hatcher’s life and future career.
There was also a close family connection between the two men. Dr. Jeremiah B. Jeter’s mother was the sister of William E. Hatcher’s father, making Jeremiah and William first cousins.
Attached to this post are some pages from Dr. William E. Hatcher’s biography from 1915. It gives an insight into Dr. Hatcher’s early life and how it shaped him as an adult and what he chose as his profession.
Dr. Hatcher’s Obituary from The Bedford Bulletin Newspaper – dated Thursday, August 29, 1912 – Page 1:
Dr. W. E. Hatcher Dead – Noted Baptist Divine Expires Saturday Morning. Was a Native of Bedford.
“Dr. William Eldridge Hatcher, president of Fork Union Academy and formerly pastor of the Grace street Baptist Church in Richmond died after a sudden stroke of paralysis Saturday morning at his home in Fork Union. He was in the seventy-eight year of his age. Up to within a short time of his death, Dr. Hatcher was in apparently good health and Friday evening made a short address from the porch of his home, “Careby Hall,” to a social gathering of his neighbors.
His death comes as a pronounced shock to friends all over the State. Dr. Hatcher was in Richmond one month ago, when he went there to conduct the funeral of Judge Samuel B. Witt, and was then strong and vigorous, despite his advanced years.
E. B. Hatcher and family, of Baltimore; Miss Elizabeth Hatcher and Miss Virginia DeMott, daughters and granddaughter of Dr. Hatcher, were at his bedside when death came. Mrs. C. L. DeMott, a second daughter, resides in Lynchburg, while Miss Orie L. Hatcher and Miss Edith Hatcher, teachers in Bryn Mawr College, are studying in Canada and Europe.
Dr. Hatcher was born in Bedford County, Va., July 25, 1834. His parents then lived in the house which had been the birthplace of Rev. J. B. Jeter, near the Peaks.
During his early life he was too frail to engage in heavy work on the farm and his youth was spent largely in reading such books as he could get hold of. At the age of eighteen he was able to reach school, and in 1854 he entered Richmond College, to remain there until the spring of 1858, when he received his bachelor’s degree. The graduating essay which he read on the occasion of commencement foreshadowed the entertaining style which was to make the future preacher a favorite with his congregations and with his readers as a literary man…”
*due to the length of this obituary you can read the rest of the article in newspaper clippings attached to this post.
*Note: Dr. William E. Hatcher named his home "Careby Hall" after Careby, England where the tombs of the Hatcher family from the 16th century are located (in the cemetery of the Church of St. Stephen).

08/08/2026

The Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library would like to thank Karen Rowlett for coming to the museum today and giving a presentation on records housed in the Bedford County Circuit Court Clerks Office.

08/05/2026

Don't miss your chance to participate in Snoopin' Around Bedford! 🐾
The Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library is proud to be a participating stop in the Snoopin' Around Bedford program, designed to encourage everyone to explore local businesses throughout the Town of Bedford.
The program ends August 7, so there's still time to complete your passport!
Stop by the Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library to:
- Pick up or turn in your Snoopin' Around Bedford Passport
- Find our hidden Snoopy and mark off another stop on your passport
- Receive Snoopy-themed prizes if the museum is your 8th stop
- Be entered into the raffle at the Bedford Welcome Center after completing your passport.

Museum Hours:
Monday–Friday
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

We look forward to welcoming you for this fun community adventure. Come visit us, find Snoopy, and join in the excitement before the program ends on August 7!

08/04/2026

Come this Saturday, August 8th from 1:00 to 3:00pm to hear Karen Rowlett's presentation on records housed in the Bedford Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Karen has 27 years of experience in her role as Deputy Clerk and Archivist for the Bedford County Courthouse. Her presentation should be very informative for those doing genealogical research, etc. Admission is $10 for adults and kids attend free.
For those living out of state or those that cannot make it in due to age or disability will be able to view the presentation on our YouTube channel. For those of you who want to see the presentation it will be accessible to you via a link sent to your google account email by 4pm Saturday. The charge for this version of the presentation is $5. If you are interested in this method of viewing the presentation you can send me (Noelle) your google account email to [email protected]. You can pay for this via the QR code or link below.
Hope you all will be able to attend this event and support the Bedford Museum!
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/DZLT4UZEJG6XG

07/30/2026

Mark Your Calendars for next Saturday and come hear Karen Rowlett's presentation on records housed in the Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk's office. The event will be from 1:00pm to 3:00pm on August 8th.

📆Mark Your Calendars!

Summer Speaking Series: Presentation by Karen Rowlett
Join the Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library on Saturday, August 8, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. for an informative presentation by Karen Rowlett, Archivist and Deputy Clerk of the Bedford Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
Karen will discuss the various records housed at the Bedford Circuit Court Clerk's Office and explain how these valuable documents can be used for genealogical and family history research.

Location: Third Floor, Bedford Museum
Admission: $10

Register and pay in advance by scanning the QR code attached to this post or by using the registration link below.

Whether you're an experienced genealogist or just beginning to explore your family history, this is a great opportunity to learn from a local expert. We hope to see you there!

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/DZLT4UZEJG6XG

07/28/2026

The Bedford Museum is currently without internet due to the below fiber optic lines being damaged. However we can still answer incoming calls via an app on our cell phone. Hopefully this will be resolved soon.

A section of Orange Street near the Public Works building remains closed after a truck struck utility cables Monday evening, damaging fiber optic lines that serve the Town's Electric Department, Public Works, and Building offices.

As a result of the damage, the Electric Department, Public Works, and Building offices are currently without phone and data service. Until connectivity is restored, staff's ability to conduct normal business operations is limited, and some services may be delayed.

Town Electric Department crews have been on site since the incident working to repair the damage. Fiber technicians are expected to arrive around 1:00 p.m. today to work alongside Electric crews to restore the damaged fiber optic cables.

At this time, there is no estimated completion time, but repairs are expected to continue into tomorrow afternoon.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as crews work to safely restore service. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.