Amherst County Museum and Historical Society

Exhibited in the Major Thomas Whitehead Gallery, 20 February through 20 May, 2004

Lurie Dupuy’s "Indian Rocks on the Blue Ridge," n.d., recalls to mind that Amherst County has a long history of Native Americans who lived here even long before European settlers. There is a rich heritage of Cherokees and Monacans in what is now Amherst County.

"From the Porch at Fairview," by Diana Rhode, November 1995, depicts the vista in the Clifford vicinity of Amherst County. Fairview itself (not shown) is a striking Italianate home built by N. Taliaferro in 1866. Note the gravestones in the foreground.

The Museum’s "Tyler Schoolhouse," n.d., is the focus of a watercolor by Terrie Linton, whose work can also be seen on the murals of the Museum’s permanent exhibit The schoolhouse, ca. 1885, originally was located on Duckbill farm in Madison Heights and was moved to the Museum property in the 1990s.

"Sandidges," n.d., an oil on canvas by Bonnie Davis. This mill community is about eight miles west of the town of Amherst off of Route 60. In 1942 Sandidges Mill closed and its machinery and equipment was moved to Brightwell’s Mill. In addition to a mill, the community used to have a store and post office.

"Peek-a-boo" September 1996, also by Bonnie Davis, depicts the old general store at Fancy Hill, a rural community not far from Sandidges. Fancy Hill, like Sandidges, is another community which has not withstood the changing landscape of Amherst County. The two cows by the fence show how rural the Sandidges community is.

"Batteau, Pushing Off from Shore," October 1992, is another oil on canvas by Bonnie Davis. The crew on this bateau navigates the passage down the James River. This view, from the the Amherst County side of the river, is a common one during the third week in June of each year when replica bateaux begin their annual trip towards Richmond, recreating some of the nostalgia for the time when the river was queen of transportation and planters sent their tobacco to Richmond on this craft designed by Anthony Rucker of Amherst County.

"The Mountain Road to Geddes" by Carl Gardner, 1996, depicts the full foliage countryside along the Geddes road. A barn adds to the picturesque rural quality for which Amherst County is known. This road is named for Geddes, the home of the Rev. Robert Rose, thought to be the oldest home in Amherst County.

Andy Puttagio’s "Woodson’s Mill," an oil on canvas, 2003, shows the mill as it stands today, after having been rebuilt in 1845. (The original mill was constructed in 1794 by Guilford Campbell.) It was purchased in 1900 by Julian B. Woodson who also maintained the office for his medical practice there. The mill was brought to life again when restored in 1983. Located on the Piney River near Lowesville, this mill is one of the more well-documented mills in Amherst County.

"Flint Rock Farm, Amherst," n.d., by William England, is located in Temperance not far from Gidsville Road, and has been associated with the Tomlin family.

Jane Norfleet’s "Lake Scene Mill Creek," n.d.,depicts one of the three Buffalo River tributaries that is a water supply for Amherst County. The reservoir was built primarily for flood control but also has recreational facilities. Located northwest of the town of Amherst, it lies in the foothills of the scenic Blue Ridge.

"Purple Plum on Parkway," n.d., also by Jane Norfleet, is an example of western Amherst County’s celebrated viewing spots. The Blue Ridge, long known for its beauty, became even more popular as an attraction when in the 1930s construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway began.

"Farm Ponds," 1978, another work by Diana Rhode, is another example of the rural landscape for which Amherst County is so well known.

"Courthouse As I Remember It As A Boy, 1890," by J. M. Harrison, painted in 1966. This painting shows the Amherst Court House before it was painted white. The striking red brick presents a far different image from the courthouse’s appearance today. The courthouse was built in 1872.

Jeannie Beverly’s "Snow on Big Piney," n.d., another oil on canvas, is a lovely illustration of the beauty of the changing seasons of Amherst County.

"Queena Stovall’s "Cabin on Triple Oaks Farm" is actually a print, rather than original, but an exhibit of Amherst County artwork by Amherst County artists would hardly be complete without some representation of the work of Amherst’s best loved artist who began her career of art at the late age of sixty-three years.

"St. Luke’s Church, Pedlar Mills" has a congregational history that goes back to a wood frame building in the 1780s or 1790s, but today’s structure was rebuilt in the early 1870s from the same brick used to build the earlier church of the 1820s. This church was associated with Lexington Parish, to which an earlier church, St. Matthews, also belonged. The church records have had gaps in them over the years, but the church still exists today, although with an irregular schedule of services. Located in the first floor back hall.

"Walnut Hill," by Sally Eubanks, 1974. The date of construction for this home is uncertain, but it existed when Captain William Pryor gave it to his daughter, Margaret Lafew Pryor, on the occasion of her marriage to Richard. B. Eubank in 1813. Mrs. Eubanks’ recollections describe the place having had slave cabins in the front yard when she was small, but they are there no longer. Many of the farm’s tobacco barns have also fallen into disrepair and been lost. Located in the first floor back hall.

Images are not available on the website due to copyright reasons. If interested in viewing a specific painting, please contact the Museum for arrangements to contact the appropriate artist. Thank you!