You can start out today with a step inside that doorway curiously labeled “Records Room” in which shelves tightly packed with colorful binders and ledgers line the wall from floor to ceiling; but if you keep walking until you finally reach the ones covered with weathered leather, you’ll end up at least a hundred years ago, and maybe 176.
You’ll have traversed the entire life of a living community from now back to its birth. But those are just “business” records of towns and places that made up a once-much-larger Carroll County. The personal stories of the people who came and went, or who stayed and built, fill the rest of the rooms in the Carroll County Heritage Center Museum in Berryville.
And there’s a lot of history to cover, as Carroll County once included several other towns such as Huntsville and possibly Hindsville. Berryville was founded in 1850, and the Carroll County seat was moved from Carrollton to Berryville 1876, bringing the whole county in.
In fact, many people are discovering their part in living history, because what makes the Heritage Center Museum unique among others in our county is that the Carroll County Historical and Genealogical Society has made it a well-recognized center for genealogical research.
Museum Director and Curator Jim Fletcher says the museum indeed does have a national reputation for being a genealogy center.
“People from all over the states visit the museum because of that,” he said. “Usually, we see some every week. Just recently there were folks from Utah, California and Texas doing research. We have tremendous genealogy resources, and they often find history they didn’t know about before. We consistently get that.
“Anyone can come in and do research, including copying information,” Fletcher said. “The museum is in a good place thanks to the people who came before. They did a lot to organize all those records. Going forward, we are refurbishing exhibits and bringing in young people. Having a tremendous board makes things easier.”
Use the new space!
Fletcher, who marks his first full year as director this month, has seen the completion of the Museum Community Room refurbishment and is excited to have it ready to rent.
Carroll countians and others are encouraged to sign up to use the new space for public and private events, talks, meetings, wedding receptions and more. Between the new roof and new floor exists a full kitchen, TV and its accoutrements, tables, chairs, and restrooms. The space has handicapped access, an updated electrical system and Internet service.
Writers wanted
At a time when many museums are cutting back on publications, the Heritage Museum is forging ahead with their Quarterly, a slim and glossy compendium of historic Carroll County written by local writers familiar with area people and events.
“We even welcome the resurrection and rewriting of some previous stories,” Fletcher said. “We’re looking for things geared toward Carroll County and any person, thing or place within that parameter. Writers are welcome to come in and research and copy any information they may need.”
Interested writers can email cchistorical@gmail.com for or with ideas. “We also need people who can interview someone and write the story for them or who can help put it together for publication,” Fletcher added.
Not that Fletcher couldn’t do it all himself, having started his career 46 years ago at Carroll County News and spending the last 20 of that as a freelance writer.
Membership perks
This is an exciting time to become a member! The future is looking bright for the Heritage Museum and the Historical and Genealogical Society, and Society Board President Starlene Lee likes to tell folks they are part of living history. “I remind them they are history,” she says.
New member fees are $35 per year and include the Quarterly four times a year and free admission to the museum as well as a free 9½ x12 in. book of nearly 700 pages, The Families of Carroll County, (originally $129) with historic maps and photos. Join online at ccheritagemuseum.com.
The museum is located at 403 Public Square in the old courthouse. Hours are Thursday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. through November. Museum: (870) 423-6312, Genealogy Society: (870) 654-9615. Facebook: Carroll County Historical and Genealogical Society.