Museum reopening celebrates Chesterfield's history
By Marcy Horwitz CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Page Dowdy/Chesterfield Observer The county museum's exhibit has been revamped in time for Jamestown 2007 tourists.

When the Chesterfield County Museum reopened earlier this month after extensive renovations, few people were happier than Holly Rush.

Rush has been working on the renovation project since September when she was named the county's acting director for museum services. She's also a liaison between the county and the Chesterfield Historical Society, which jointly oversee the museum.

"It's been an interesting project," she says, with obvious understatement.

The museum was originally built as a replica of the county's 1750 courthouse. The renovation included a thorough updating of the museum's exhibit and took two years to complete.

Rush, a 15-year veteran of the museum world, thinks the renovation is worth the wait. The new exhibit traces the county's earliest history, describing the Native Americans in central Virginia, the colonial period, life in Chesterfield during the Revolutionary and Civil wars, the effect of the railroads on the region, how coal mining changed the area, and Chesterfield's newest role as an attractive suburban community within a thriving metropolitan region.

"People don't realize we have such a rich history in Chesterfield," Rushnotes. "We're tucked away as a footnote."

But, that may change now.

Rush sees a visit to the Chesterfield County Museum as the perfect way to begin to observe Jamestown 2007 - America's 400th Anniversary.

Chesterfield 2007, the local coordinating group, is planning additional events to celebrate the 400th anniversary in Chesterfield. Special activities are planned at the Falling Creek Ironworks, Pocahontas State Park, the Mid-Lothian Mines and other historical sites around the county. From May 19-22, Henricus Historical Park will host "Rock the Boat," a celebration of the Godspeed as she sails upriver to Jamestown.

Until then, the Chesterfield County Museum is welcoming visitors to its newly renovated home on Krause Road, adjacent to the Old 1892 Jail. Visiting hours are limited through April when the museum expects to gear up for the season. For additional information, call 796-1479.