Pittsylvania Historical Society

06/16/2026

We have three great events coming up soon. Make sure you have these on your calendar!

Commemoration of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Pittsylvania County. Monday, July 27, 5:30 at the historic 18th century courthouse site in Callands (597 Sago Road). Join us as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Pittsylvania County. The event will feature a reenactment of that historic event. Free and open to the public.

Annual Tomato Festival picnic. Monday, July 27, 6:30 p.m., at the historic 18th century clerk's office in Callands (597 Sago Road). Make plans to attend this popular event and enjoy a delicious meal featuring dishes made from locally grown tomatoes, enjoyed under the old oaks at one of the county's most beautiful historic sites. Tickets are $20 each and may be obtained from any Board member. Alternatively you may reserve tickets and pay at the door by emailing us at [email protected]. Tickets must be purchased or reserved by July 20.

Unveiling of the new Gilbert's Restaurant historical marker. Saturday, August 1 at 10 a.m. 401 Main Street Chatham. Make plans to join us at the unveiling of the new commemorative historical marker at the site of Gilbert's Restaurant in Chatham (401 Main Street). Refreshments will be served following the ceremony. Free and open to the public.

04/26/2026

For those who were unable to attend the program, here is Langhorne Jones with "The Rest of the Story."

04/24/2026

We had a full house for Langhorne Jones's presentation "The Rest of the Story." Thanks to all who came out. The video of the program will be posted here soon. If you don't already have a copy of Past Time (we sold out of them at the event) here is a link for purchasing it online. It can also be purchased at the History Center (old train depot/library) and at Shade Tree Books in Chatham.

A collection of articles, vignettes, and recollections on the history of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. The Table of Contents: 1. INDIANS GREW TO***CO BEFORE WHITE SETTLERS 2. PITTSYLVANIA’S FIRST COUNTY SEAT 3. THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF COMPETITION 4. DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN OF COMPETITIO...

04/20/2026

Join us tonight at 7 p.m. as Pittsylvania County history expert and long-time PHS board member Langhorne Jones will share "The Rest of the Story" behind some of the interesting episodes in county history featured in his acclaimed book Past Time. The event is free and open to the public. This promises to be a great event and you won't want to miss it. The program will be presented at the History Center and historic train depot at 340 Whitehead Street in Chatham.

04/12/2026

Thanks to all who came out and helped make Spring at the Tavern a success!

Mark your calendars now for our next great event. Join us on April 20 at 7 p.m. as Pittsylvania County history expert and long-time PHS board member Langhorne Jones will share "The Rest of the Story" behind some of the interesting episodes in county history featured in his acclaimed book Past Time. The event is free and open to the public. This promises to be a great event and you won't want to miss it. The program will be presented at the History Center and historic train depot at 340 Whitehead Street in Chatham.

04/10/2026

Join us at historic Yates Tavern tomorrow, Saturday April 11, as we continue our commemoration of Rev250 with Spring at the Tavern.

The Fincastle Group living historians will be portraying Pittsylvania County militiamen during the Revolutionary War and will be demonstrating all aspects of life in that era. Colonial tavern experts Kyle Griffith and Langhorne Jones will be giving guided tours of the tavern. The event is from 10 am to 3 pm and is free and open to the public.

For your GPS, the tavern address is 1270 S. Main St. Gretna VA.

03/31/2026

Mark your calendars now and make plans to attend Spring at the Tavern. Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Come out and enjoy this family friendly event at historic Yates Tavern in Gretna, featuring living history from the Revolutionary War era. The Fincastle Group living historians will be demonstrating all aspects of life in that era. Colonial tavern experts Kyle Griffith and Langhorne Jones will be giving guided tours of the tavern. All free and open to the public.

03/29/2026

As we continue our rotating display of historic flags at the History Center in Chatham, the Betsy Ross flag is now flying proudly.

Thanks to Langhorne Jones for his efforts on this project.

03/18/2026

We have some great events coming up in 2026. Mark your calendars now and make plans to attend!

Spring at the Tavern. April 11, 10 a.m.--3 p.m. Come out and enjoy this family friendly event at historic Yates Tavern in Gretna, featuring living history from the Revolutionary War era. The Fincastle Group living historians will be demonstrating all aspects of life in that era. Colonial tavern experts Kyle Griffith and Langhorne Jones will be giving guided tours of the tavern. All free and open to the public. For your GPS, the tavern address is 1270 S. Main St. Gretna VA.

Quarterly Membership Program. April 20, 5:30 p.m. Pittsylvania County history expert and long-time PHS board member Langhorne Jones will share "The Rest of the Story" behind some of the interesting episodes in county history featured in his acclaimed book Past Time. The event is free and open to the public. This promises to be a great event and you won't want to miss it. The program will be presented at the History Center and historic train depot at 340 Whitehead Street in Chatham.

Commemoration of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Pittsylvania County. July 27, 5:30 at the historic 18th century courthouse site in Callands (597 Sago Road). Join us as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Pittsylvania County. The event will feature a reenactment of that historic event. Free and open to the public.

Annual Tomato Festival picnic. July 27, 6:30 p.m., at the historic 18th century clerk's office in Callands (597 Sago Road). Make plans to attend this popular event and enjoy a delicious meal featuring dishes made from locally grown tomatoes, enjoyed under the old oaks at one of the county's most beautiful historic sites. Ticket details will be forthcoming.

02/10/2026

Here is the schedule of events for this weekend’s commemoration of the 245th anniversary of the Crossing of the Dan.

Thursday, Feb 12 | 6:00 PM
Halifax County–South Boston Museum of Fine Arts & History

“The Cradle of Revolution”
Kick off the weekend with a talk by Paul Smith, President of the Museum’s Board, exploring the vital role colonial taverns and colonial food played in the fight for independence.

Friday, Feb 13 | 1:00–4:00 PM
Banister Encampment

Step into 1781 with Revolutionary War reenactors, living history demonstrations, and stories of the soldiers who followed Greene through Halifax after the Crossing of the Dan.

5:30 PM
Beth Car Baptist Church, Halifax

William Guerrant, author of Let a Pillar Arise, presents:
“The Recrossing of the Dan—General Greene’s Bold Advance into North Carolina”

Following the program, the SAR Color Guard will march to the Halifax County War Memorial for a musket salute honoring General Greene and his army.

Saturday, Feb 14 | 10:00 AM
The Prizery, South Boston

Crossing of the Dan Commemoration
Mark the anniversary of February 14, 1781, when Greene’s army crossed the Dan River to safety, outmaneuvering Cornwallis in a turning point of the Southern Campaign.

Featured Speaker: Salina Baker, author of The Line of Splendor: A Novel of Nathanael Greene and the American Revolution, presents:
“The Life of Major General Nathanael Greene and the American Revolution”

Throughout the weekend, the VA250 Mobile Museum will be on-site and open for tours, offering an immersive look at Virginia’s Revolutionary history.