250th Anniversary marker dedicated at the courthouse square ( Updated)
It has been a trying two years to hold a 250th Anniversary celebration. However, a bright note is the official marker dedicated on Sat. Sept. 18 during Fincastle Festival day. Pictured here are the cornerstones of the 250th Anniversary committee. Pictured Anita Firebaugh, Former BoS chairman Billy Martin, and the committee Wendy Wingo, Lois Switzer, Donna Vaughn and Angela Coon.
From Anita Firebaugh additional information
Botetourt County unveiled its monument for its 250th anniversary on Saturday, September 18, during the Historic Fincastle, Inc. festival in the county seat.
The monument dedication was held on the Botetourt County Circuit Courthouse steps. Fincastle Mayor Mary Bess Smith, local historian Weldon Martin with the Botetourt County Historical Society & Museum, Inc., and Blue Ridge District Supervisor Bill Martin made remarks to the crowd. They noted the county’s founding and longevity.
Jayne Vest sang a song written by Steve Vest, former director of the Botetourt County Libraries, to celebrate the occasion.
Curtis Brown, President of the Botetourt County-Wide League, offered a special prayer of dedication and unity to close out the event.
The monument is presently located at the front of the Botetourt County Museum and sits next to a similar marker for the county’s Bicentennial.
Wendy Wingo, Lois Switzer, Donna Vaughn, and Angela Coon made up the members of the Sestercenntenial Committee. They organized this event and the opening ceremony held in January 2020. Other events to commemorate the county’s birthday were called off due to the pandemic emergency.
The county’s 250th anniversary was actually 2020.
L to R Wingo, Switzer, Vaughn and Coon happily pose with the monument.
This is the last hurrah as the Family event at Blue Ridge Vineyard has been cancelled on October 10 due to the rise of Covid-19 cases in the county.
Botetourt County moves forward and in 49 more years a 300th anniversary awaits and a new generation will help celebrate!
–Cathy Benson, photo courtesy of Tiffany Bradbury, Botetourt County Government , Anita Firebaugh update and photo
