Southampton County Historical Society
Preserving Local History
Lynda Updike’s voice fills with enthusiasm when she speaks of the Southampton County Historical Society’s work to preserve the county’s legacy, from its historical houses to its smokehouses and vintage farm equipment. The Society owns three properties – the Rochelle Prince House, the Rebecca Vaughan House, and the Southampton Agriculture and Forestry Museum. With Lynda as president, members stay busy as property owners, event planners, and educators who strive to teach residents and visitors about Southampton County’s history.
The new Southampton History Museum will feature many exhibits that pay tribute to the county’s past.
Perhaps its biggest undertaking to date, the Society is eagerly preparing for the opening of the Southampton History Museum, projected for late October. Volunteers have worked hard for nearly three years to raise the $2 million needed to construct the museum, with funding from grants, individual donations, and corporate gifts. “We are grateful to TowneBank as one of our largest contributors,” Lynda says.
Ashley Fisher, TowneBank Courtland branch manager, shares her excitement about the museum opening. “The Society is a staple here. The museum project helps bring awareness of our history to a growing audience. We are so pleased to partner with them.”
Agriculture is a key part of the past and present of Southampton County and the new museum will help visitors learn about the day-to-day life of their predecessors.
The museum will feature artifacts and complement the three existing historical sites by providing an overview of county history. Southampton County is probably best known as the site of the 1831 Nat Turner Rebellion, and the Rochelle Prince House and Rebecca Vaughan House are important sites connected to that chapter of history. Museum organizers, including Billy Wolfe, who runs the Southampton Agriculture and Forestry Museum, want residents and visitors to also learn about the county’s rural heritage and the day-to-day life of its residents in bygone years. One prominent item is a buggy, which has become the focal point of construction plans. Due to its size, the builders had to place the buggy inside and then build the walls and doors around it.
The Agriculture and Forestry Museum is a 10-acre site at the edge of Courtland, founded by community residents who wanted to preserve the history of agriculture. It features several outbuildings, including a peanut building and a smokehouse, as well as a historic barber shop and a schoolhouse. A model train display is a popular feature that emphasizes the railroad's importance to Southampton County’s legacy. There is also a miniature version of the old Ocean View Amusement Park, including a scaled-down replica of the roller coaster, which thrilled park visitors from 1927 until it was demolished in the late 1970s. The Agriculture and Forestry Museum is open to the public from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. On the first Saturday of each month, visitors can see the model trains run.
The Society sponsors two major annual events, including a Heritage Day held in May that features a petting zoo, live music, and a vendor market. For the holidays, the Nostalgic Christmas and Polar Express event will delight visitors on December 5, 2026, complete with a visit from Santa Claus and train rides for children.
The Southampton County Historical Society is focused on preserving the history of this interesting part of Virginia.
The historical society has about 600 members, and membership is open to anyone who is interested in local history. For more information, visit SouthamptonCounty.org/History.