Greene Historical Society prepares for annual meeting

Contributed article
Published: April 3, 2008

Did you know the historical society of the county originated from a Bridge Club meeting of some of the county’s retired teachers? The year was 1978, and we owe our thanks to these ladies who were interested in preserving the history of our county. From that first idea, a society was born that has gone on to research, record, and preserve much of our local history. Among the works accomplished are several publications about the county’s history that are available for research or purchase. They are located at the museum on Court Square.
The annual membership meeting of the society will be Saturday, April 19, at 4 p.m. in the Greene County Court House in Stanardsville. The program will be “Memories of Main Street.“ Residents of Stanardsville during the 1930s through 1950s will reminisce about life along Main Street and in town. Come early and visit the newly renovated museum before the meeting.
Miss Violette Moyer, now deceased, was one of Stanardsville’s residents for many years. In her book, “The Golden Years,“ she reminisces about life in the town as early as the 1920s. Following are some of her memories:
“The Main Street running East and West in the town was a dirt road, dusty in summer, and muddy in winter. In spite of all this, it was lined with beautiful maple trees on each side of the street. At the corner of Ford Avenue there stood a stately oak tree. Many a game of marbles was played under that stately oak. The men of the town would congregate every morning and have a big game.“
“Each morning, friends who lived on Main Street, would come out and sweep in front of their residences. The street was kept nice and clean.“
“The town was lighted by two lamp posts. Each evening, at dark they were lighted. Then came Route 33 through town, down came the Maple Trees and the Grand Old Oak.““On Main Street, there were six general merchandise stores, a drug store and an antique shop. On Court Square, there was a furniture store and a hardware store. The general merchandise stores sold groceries, yard goods, and notions. The following are samples of goods and their prices fifty years ago: you could buy two cans of Double Q Salmon for 25 cents; canned herring and canned shad were 10 cents each; apple butter in quart jars was 25 cents; lamp chimneys were 10 cents each; 3¾ pounds of coffee was 50 cents; ½ gallon of molasses in a nice tin bucket was 50 cents; a loaf of bread was 5 cents; candy bars were 5 cents; a long stick of white chewing gum was 1 penny; a 10 pound sack of meal was 25 cents; and a 10 pound sack of flour was 50 cents. An assortment of ladies lovely dresses was $1.50. They would sometimes go on sale for $1.00. One store in town sold lime for 3 cents a pound. The lime was mixed with water and then it was ready to use. This mixture was used to white wash people’s houses and outbuildings.“
To hear others tell of their memories of Stanardsville, be sure to come to the meeting on April 19 at 4 p.m.