The Giles County Historical Society is the home to a variety of resources available to the public. Headquartered on the property of the Andrew Johnston house in Pearisburg, Virginia, the society offers a museum, research center, gift shop, and the Andrew Johnston house itself, which, being built in 1829, is believed to be the oldest brick home in Giles County.

The Museum Complex consists of the Andrew Johnston House, Doctors Office, Historical Museum, and Research Office. In 1985, the heirs of the Andrew Johnston family deeded the family home, doctors office, and a two-car garage to the Society. An endowment fund was established to restore and preserve the property as a museum. Soon thereafter, present and former Giles County residents began offering items of historical interest to the society. In 1994, the members voted to raise funds for the construction of a permanent repository for artifacts and antiquities. The Museum building was completed in fall of 1997.

The photograph at right is of Wenonah Avenue during the Civil War era. The current Courthouse is in the photo along with the the former Sheriff's Office and jail, which is the smaller brick building beside the Courthouse. The Andrew Johnston house would be located off the right side of the photograph.

The identity of the woman is not known.

Click on the image for a full-size image (prints well on an inkjet printer).