Civil War Era Leaving the Mud Behind: A Brother’s Long Journey Home M Gwinn, December 27, 2025 I have had a notion of going home Since Richmond has bin taken but whether I go or not I will Say Amen to the fall of that Rebel Hole. Pull up a chair, friends, because I’ve got a real treasure to share with you today. It’s a letter written… Continue Reading
Civil War Era A Journey Back Home: A Brother’s Letter from 1865 M Gwinn, December 27, 2025 “Labem the war is over and We are looking with Strait forward Eyes Toward Va we are thinking of Getting Back On our own dung hill once more.” Come on in and sit a spell, neighbors. I’ve got something special to show you from the archives today. It’s a letter… Continue Reading
History A New Year’s Greeting from 1866: News, Crops, and a Lost Pocketbook M Gwinn, December 27, 2025 “I found oald Stevn Harmons pocket Book laying in the Road a few dayes a go containing 1.76 cts he felt beter when he got it.” Gather ’round, friends, because I’ve got something special to show you from the back of the filing cabinet. It’s a letter from December 31,… Continue Reading
History A Christmas Eve Tussle in Fayette County M Gwinn, December 27, 2025 “He has imployed Caperton & Patton and we must be ready to give him the best we have gat in the Shop.” Well now, come on in and sit a spell. I’ve found something special for us to look at today—a little slice of life from just two days before… Continue Reading
History A Muddy Mix-Up in the Timber Yard M Gwinn, December 27, 2025December 27, 2025 “And we are the more disappointed because the large timber which we needed so badly was not loaded first, as we instructed all parties to do.” Pull up a chair, neighbors, because I have found a real treasure in the archives today. This letter, dated March 4th, 1878, comes from… Continue Reading
History A Summer Note from Prince: Taxes and Trust in 1897 M Gwinn, December 27, 2025December 27, 2025 “Kindly send me receipts & oblige” Pull up a chair and let me show you something special I found tucked away in the archives. It is a single sheet of cream-colored paper, worn soft at the edges with fold lines that suggest it was once a prized piece of correspondence… Continue Reading
History A Little Yellow Receipt from the Hills of Prince M Gwinn, December 27, 2025December 27, 2025 “A penalty of $300 is fixed by law for using this card for other than official business.” Now, step back in time with me for a moment to the tail end of the nineteenth century. We’ve come across a sturdy little orange-yellow card that tells a simple but important story… Continue Reading
History A Little Mistake and a Lot of Heart: A 1895 Sheriff’s Note M Gwinn, December 27, 2025February 12, 2026 “The Clerk will put it back on the books for 1895 & then you can pay for both years – There will be no cost or interest on it” Step back in time with me for a moment to a quiet morning in June of 1895. I was just looking… Continue Reading
History Neighbors, Notes, and the Power of a Promise M Gwinn, December 27, 2025December 27, 2025 “Pay me the balance as soon as you can Your friend J W Davis” There is a certain kind of magic in holding a piece of paper that has survived over a hundred and thirty winters. I was looking through our archives today and came across this lovely little note… Continue Reading
History A Father’s Firm Words and a Sack of Coffee: A Glimpse into 1858 M Gwinn, December 27, 2025December 27, 2025 “I Dont like hugens to have any thing To Do with any Thing of One As he is out of my Books for Ever” Pull up a chair, friends, because I’ve got something special to show you today. Imagine reaching into a dusty drawer and pulling out a single sheet… Continue Reading