News and Events

Stay updated with the latest happenings at the Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia. Join us for educational programs, special events, and community activities that celebrate our rich local heritage.

Share Your Story: The Society is looking for historical accounts, tales, and reminiscences about local history to publish in the Bulletin. Contributions can be in any format—researched articles, short stories, family histories, or even interesting factoids. Email us to share your forgotten history with Society members.

Liberty Fest: Abingdon's History is America's History

Liberty Fest September 25–27, 2026

Abingdon's major three-day heritage festival commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The Historical Society's historical interpreters will help bring the colonial era to life throughout historic downtown Abingdon.

September 25, 2026

September 25, 26, and 27, 2026

Historic Downtown Abingdon, Virginia

Many events free — check website for specific program details

Liberty Fest: Abingdon's History is America's History is a major three-day heritage festival taking place September 25–27, 2026 in Abingdon, Virginia. Part of Virginia's VA250 celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, Liberty Fest highlights Abingdon's pivotal role in early American history.

HSWCV at Liberty Fest

The Town of Abingdon has asked the Historical Society's historical interpreters to help bring the colonial era to life throughout the festival. Our interpreters in period dress will be present in the historic downtown area, engaging visitors with stories, demonstrations, and living history encounters that connect Abingdon's founding to the broader story of American independence. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the rich heritage of Washington County firsthand.

About Liberty Fest & VA250

Liberty Fest serves as a cornerstone of Abingdon's participation in the VA250 commemoration — Virginia's statewide celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence. The festival focuses on preserving and promoting Abingdon's historic assets while recognizing the people and events that shaped the nation. Abingdon and Washington County have a particularly rich Revolutionary War legacy, as this region was home to the Over-Mountain Men who gathered before marching to the decisive Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780.

The Barter Theatre is expected to host related performances during this period, including Kings Mountain, a play commissioned by VA250 about that pivotal Revolutionary War battle.

Festival Highlights

Historical reenactments and living history encounters throughout downtown
HSWCV historical interpreters in colonial-era dress
Educational programming: lectures, tours, and interpretive programs
Focus on the Over-Mountain Men and the region's Revolutionary War impact
Cultural activities, arts, crafts, and Appalachian heritage exhibits
Southwest Virginia VA250 Mobile Museum (confirmation pending)
Theatrical performances at the Barter Theatre (including Kings Mountain)
Community engagement celebrating Southwest Virginia's role in American history

Event Details

Dates: Friday–Sunday, September 25–27, 2026

Location: Historic Downtown Abingdon, Virginia

Key Sites: Abingdon Muster Grounds (1780 Muster Place) | Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace (1 Heartwood Circle)

Admission: Many town-sponsored events are free; specific theatrical shows or premium workshops may require tickets

Part of: Virginia VA250 — 250th Anniversary of American Independence

Visit Abingdon Events Calendar

Virginia VA250 Official Website

For more information about the Historical Society's participation in Liberty Fest, please call 276-623-8337 during our regular business hours or email office@hswcv.org.

2026 Fall Evening with the Spirits of Sinking Spring Cemetery

Evening with the Spirits October 10, 2026

A unique seated presentation held after dark in the historic Sinking Spring Cemetery featuring both new spirits and some of the most popular spirits from previous cemetery tours.

October 10, 2026

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Sinking Spring Cemetery, intersection of Russell Rd. & Valley St., Abingdon, Virginia

$5 per person (cash only at the gate)

Join us on Saturday, October 10, 2026 for a one-hour seated evening presentation in the Sinking Spring Cemetery in Abingdon, Virginia for a visit with local historical spirits as they share their stories under the autumn sky.

About the Event

Established in the 1770s by the Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church on 11 acres purchased from Dr. Thomas Walker, an explorer and wealthy land speculator who promoted the development of the Town of Abingdon. The cemetery is one of the oldest in the region. A stroll among its graves takes you back to the earliest history of the Town and County.

This seated presentation features costumed historical interpreters portraying some of the "spirits" from our local history. There is nothing scary about the presentations or the location. The content is appropriate for families; however, young children may not fully follow the presentations and may become bored during the hour-long program.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026

Ticket Sales Begin: 6:30 PM at the cemetery gate

Presentation: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (one hour)

Seating: Grass lawn in front of the cemetery cabin

Admission: $5 per person (Cash only at the gate)

What to Bring

Bring your own chairs, blankets, and drinks for comfortable seating on the grass lawn. We may have a few chairs available, but seating is not guaranteed.

Location & Parking

Sinking Spring Cemetery is located at the intersection of Russell Rd. and Valley St., directly behind the Historical Society building at 341 West Main St., Abingdon, Virginia.

Free parking is available along the street or in the Society parking lot.

From I-81: Take Exit 17 (Abingdon). Turn north onto Cummings St. (0.8 miles), then turn left onto W. Main St. (0.2 miles).

See Location on Google Maps

For more information, please call 276-623-8337 during our regular business hours or email us at office@hswcv.org.

New! HSWCV Heritage Apple Cider — Now Available at Tumbling Creek Cider Company

Now Available

The Historical Society has partnered with Tumbling Creek Cider Company to bottle a special heritage apple cider inspired by the flavors our ancestors would have enjoyed. Available now at their taproom in Abingdon — $25 per bottle, with $8 of every sale benefiting the Society.

Tumbling Creek Cider Company, 238 W. Main St., Abingdon, Virginia

$25 per bottle ($8 benefits HSWCV)

HSWCV Heritage Apple Cider — Tumbling Creek Cider Company

HSWCV Heritage Apple Cider at Tumbling Creek taproom

Tumbling Creek Cider Company taproom, Abingdon Virginia

The Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia is pleased to announce a special partnership with Tumbling Creek Cider Company to produce a custom heritage apple cider inspired by the flavors our ancestors in Southwest Virginia would have known and enjoyed. The cider is available now at the Tumbling Creek taproom in the Abingdon Commons on Main Street — and every bottle sold puts $8 directly toward the Society's mission of preserving Washington County history.

A Natural Partnership

As Tumbling Creek Cider Company puts it: "Partnering with the Society is such a natural fit. The Society preserves the stories of our region and Tumbling Creek celebrates those stories through heritage-inspired cider. Together, we're raising a glass to the people, places, and traditions that make Southwest Virginia home."

Heritage apple varieties have deep roots in the Appalachian region. Long before commercial orchards, families across Washington County cultivated their own apple trees, pressing cider as a staple of farm life. This collaboration brings that tradition back to life in a bottle you can enjoy today — while supporting the organization that keeps those stories alive.

How to Get Your Bottle

Price: $25 per bottle

Benefit to HSWCV: $8 from every bottle sold goes directly to the Historical Society

Where to Buy: Tumbling Creek Cider Company taproom, located above Delta Blues BBQ

Address: 238 West Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia 24210

Available while supplies last — stop in and raise a glass to Southwest Virginia history!

Contact Tumbling Creek Cider Company

Phone: (276) 451-5901

Email: tc3@tumblingcreekcider.com

Address: 238 W. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210

Tumbling Creek Cider Company Website

Find Tumbling Creek on Google Maps

For more information about the Society's partnership with Tumbling Creek, please call 276-623-8337 during regular business hours or email office@hswcv.org.

New! HSWCV T-Shirts Now Available in the Online Store

Now Available

Show your pride in Washington County's history and celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the Historical Society of Washington County! HSWCV t-shirts are now available in the online store (in the Merchandise & Accessories category) in White and Gray, sizes S through XXL — $16.00 each (tax included).

The Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia is pleased to offer 90th Anniversary HSWCV t-shirts for sale through our online store in the Merchandise & Accessories category. Whether you're a member, a history enthusiast, or simply proud of Washington County's heritage, this is a great way to show your support!

T-Shirt Details

Colors Available: White and Gray

Sizes Available: S, M, L, XL, XXL

Price: $16.00 each (tax included)

Shipping: $7.00 per order

Order Your T-Shirt in the Online Store

Prefer to order in person or by phone? Visit us at 341 West Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia, call 276-623-8337 during regular business hours, or email office@hswcv.org.

D2 Headstone Cleaning Kits Now Available

Now Available

Complete cleaning kit assembled by expert Charlie Barnette - $55 + tax

Our resident cemetery expert Charlie Barnette has assembled a complete headstone cleaning kit for purchase. Perfect for maintaining family monuments and cemetery headstones.

Kit Includes:

One quart spray bottle of D2 Biological Solution
Cleaning brush
Pair of protective gloves
Two toothbrushes for detail work
Two picking sticks
Complete instruction sheet

How to Purchase

In Person: Available at the Historical Society library

By Phone: Call 276-623-8337 to place an order

By Email: office@hswcv.org

Note: Shipping available - contact us for details. Online ordering not currently available.

Expert Guidance

Want to learn how to use the kit? Bring it to Charlie's seminar or contact him at brisbotls@hotmail.com

The kit is NOT required to attend the seminar.

New: Family Reunion Planning Resources

New Resource

Guide to venues, lodging, and services in Washington County

Planning a family reunion in Washington County? The Historical Society has created a central resource to help you find local venues, lodging, and food services for your gathering.

Using our website, you can locate local venues, lodging, and food services that offer a warm welcome to your family and an introduction to the historic sites and scenes in our region.

Visit Family Reunion Resource Page

For Local Businesses

Would you like to be listed on our Family Reunion Resource Page?

Download Application Form

Email completed application to office@hswcv.org

Ongoing: Veteran Video Interview Project

Ongoing Project

Watch interviews with Southwest Virginia veterans - new videos added regularly

The Veterans Advisory Board of Abingdon is partnering with the Historical Society to document and share the stories of Southwest Virginia veterans through video interviews.

Veteran Voices of Southwest Virginia

This ongoing program features video recordings collected by the advisory board and archived by the Historical Society. Ten-minute interviews capture military experiences from veterans living across Southwest Virginia.

Watch Veteran Interviews

Veteran Gatherings

Veterans meet regularly at the Food City Deli in Abingdon, Virginia:

First Tuesday of each month

Third Saturday of each month

To participate in the interview project, contact Kim Kingsley, Abingdon Town Clerk, at (276) 492-2149.

Stay Connected

Don't miss future events and updates from the Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia.

Become a Member Join Our Facebook Group