If you like history and stringed music, you will not want to miss the quarterly meeting of the Lunenburg County Historical Society on Sunday, June 23, 2 p.m. at the Victoria Public Library. There will be a program devoted to period music, both discussed and demonstrated by Barrow Wheary from Richmond.

If you were fortunate enough to attend Brickland’s 200th anniversary celebration in June 2018, you no doubt remember this talented musician. Dressed in period attire, Wheary played stringed music that provided a backdrop for the lovely grounds at this historic Lunenburg home. Now you have the opportunity to spend the afternoon with him.

Wheary says, “Over the past few months, I have been working on a presentation based around a book of fiddle music entitled Virginia Reels which was collected in Southside in the 1830s-40s. It is in fact an item of seminal importance in the history of American, and especially Southern, vernacular music and contains many of the first recorded instances of fiddle tunes which now form the core of Southern fiddling tradition.”

Weary continues. “Based on this collection, which I have been studying for some 15 years now, and a variety of other sources, it is my hypothesis that Southside Virginia was, beginning in late colonial times, a creative hotbed and cultural spawning ground for what we now recognize as distinctive elements of the Southern musical tradition as well as other folkways.”

Mark your calendar for this event. Tell your friends about this opportunity to learn more about “our” music traditions here in Southside Virginia.

Victoria Public Library is located in Victoria at 1417 Seventh St., just off Main Street on the side street behind The Sweet Magnolia.