There are several new exhibits and items on display. Photos and materials from a number of area industries are on display in our new Meeting Room. Some other items include: a safe from the Henry County Courthouse, a soda fountain table from Mountain Drug in Bassett, a display from Philpott Brothers Store & the Post Office which operated in the store, a display of hats, ana number of  items from Beaver Creek Plantation: 1850 Chickering Piano and chair, music stand, yarn winder, mirror and spinning wheel. Make plans to visit the Center soon to check out the displays and our new addition. We have on display two large framed photos of the Fieldale Train Station and the Dick and Willie Trestle at Fieldale done by Al Beard, Sr. (on loan from Teddy Compton in addition to a new collection of local memorabilia). Also, on display, is a painting of wagons crossing the Irvine River (now Smith River) painted by George Schlueter in the 1950s (on loan from Randy Schlueter). Jesse Frith has loaned us his collection of NASA memorabilia.

There are a number of items currently on display at the Bassett Historical Center which were loaned or given to us by friends and patrons. A chart of the research into the Henry and Pittsylvania County ancestors of Michelle Obama is on display. Rebecca Dyer has on display a collection of WWII memorabilia which includes rings, a glass, photos, ammunition, and silk hankies and pillow covers. Memorial knives featuring protraits of various Civil War generals was donated by David Kipfinger. Items from the Philpott Brothers store and Post Office are on loan from Glenda Barnes Stone. Recently, David Minter donated a collection of men's and women's hats to the Center. A number of Native American baskets, pottery, jewelry, and other items from the collection of Douglas Belcher can be seen in one of our new display cases in the Meeting Room. A fabulous array of political buttons is on loan from John E. Bowles. From the collection of William Cecil Trent, Jr. , we have on display memoribilia from Trent Furniture Store, war ration books, and some tobacciana. Many additional collections and items have been added.

J.T. Foley of Snow Creek Nursery will be the guest speaker at the Bassett Historical Center on 13 February at 11am. "Low Maintenance Annuals and Perennials" will be the topic. J.T. will use the Center's parking lot bed as an example of an area where these types of plants are needed and are best used. In addition to the coverage of this topic, examples and handouts will be provided for the audience.The Henry County Heritage Book is still for sale through the Bassett Public Library Association for $75 a copy or can be purchased at www.freestateofpatrick.com . There are a limited number of books left and there will be no reprints of this volume. Thanks to Tom Perry for all the work he did in getting the Heritage Book published and for the money he has raised for the Center.