The 2017 Nelson County Historical Society Homes and Properties Tour will be focused on Faber and Schuyler this Saturday, which brings to mind Nelson’s favorite son Earl Hamner Jr. JMRL has a collection of his novels and memoirs, as well as the dvd collection of the television hit based on his life, “The Waltons.” Here are some other nice collections of local stories which you might enjoy:
Backroads series by Lynn COFFEY
When Coffey moved to Love, VA in 1980, she settled right in and embraced the culture and the people of this tiny mountain town which calls itself the “Crest of the Blue Ridge.” Inspired by the way of life of the hard-working folks around her, she began to gather their stories and publish them in a monthly newspaper she called “Backroads.” For 25 years, her neighbors shared their tales, taught their skills, and even posed for pictures, and Coffey preserved it all. In 2009, she published a collection of these tales in Backroads: Plain Folk and Simple Livin’ which was followed in the next few years by two more volumes.
A Legacy of Rural Virginia by Donald W. PAYNE
In two volumes, Payne’s collection is subtitled “Simpler Times Laced with Hardships and Happiness” which just about says it all. Having grown up in Fluvanna County, Payne was always interested in the lives of the elders and happy to listen to them tell their stories. His work covers the 1800’s and 1900’s and includes many old photographs.
Best Little Stories from Virginia by C. Brian KELLY
Journalist Kelly takes the history of our Commonwealth even further back, to the 16th century. With extensive footnotes, bibliography, and timelines, Virginia’s history is again told through a series of stories. It also contains a section entitled “The Women Who Counted.” This volume is one is a series of “Best Little Stories” books that Kelly has written.
Greetings from Charlottesville, Virginia and Albemarle County by Samuel MENEFEE
Menefee has collected over 300 postcards from the area, dating back to the early 1900’s, with some expected sights and some which might surprise you. Menefee describes postcards as “Windows to the Past.” Be sure to note the cards of the “Post Office, Charlottesville” on page 47 – it’s now the Central Library!