African Amercan History Committee

Responsible for promoting the research and appreciation of all aspects of African American history in Chesterfield County. To collect, preserve, interpret and promote the rich history of African Americans for the education and enlightenment of present and future generations.

Cemetery Committee 

Locate and document family, church, and community cemeteries. Research and document existing and historic cemeteries. Participate in County Planning projects with data on cemeteries located in new developments.

Collections Committee 

Maintain preserve and enhance the display of historic artifacts collection. Develop annual exhibit calendar. Promote educational aspect of historic sites on collections. Accession appropriate artifacts.

Events, Fundraising and Programs Committee

Plans and coordinates annual events calendar, including quarterly meetings, lecture series, and fundraisers. Coordinates advertising, marketing, and publicity support. Recruits speakers.

Genealogy Committee

Foster interest in genealogy through workshops and projects.  Handle research requests. Proof and abstract census data.

Governance  Committee

Mission: To identify, evaluate and nominate potential candidates to serve on the Board of Directors, and to present the annual slate of Officers and Directors in July for a vote by Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia (CHSV) Membership; to review and update the CHSV bylaws, and to provide oversight to develop committee policy and procedures upon the request of the Board.

Library Committee

Assists patrons with research. Accession books, manuscripts, pictures, maps and periodicals into the library collection. Restore scrape books. Research and maintain family histories, vertical files and picture files. Update Veterans database.  Create indices. Library at Trinity Church is open Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm.  See The New Film on the Library Committee

Membership Committee

Maintain member database. Mail dues, invoices, and related communications.  Create membership drives.

Military History Committee

Research military history and sites. Develop educational and tourist literature on military history. Reserve and maintain the integrity of Civil War sites in the county.

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Visit Historic Trinity Church - Home of the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia

Discover your Chesterfield ancestors and their rich history.  Our volunteers are there to assist you if needed..  See our library page for more information.  See The New Film on the Library Committee     

Chesterfield County Historic Sites

Point of Rocks is a historic site on the Appomattox River  is designated "Pont of Rocks Park".  Abraham Lincoln walked with Union Generals discussing ways to win a war.   Clara Barton served as the head nurse to many wounded and sick Union soldiers in the largest hospital in the world. The house was used for the surgeons quarters and is still standing and currently, the house is being stabilized. Evidence of Indians who lived on the river is just below the house.  It is one of Chesterfield's most historic sites and not yet open to the public.

The "Magnolia Grange House Museum" is an elegant Federal period home built in 1822, named for the circle of magnolia trees that once graced its front lawns.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Magnolia Grange’s distinctive architectural features include elaborate ceiling motifs, a half-turn open carved stairway  and  hand-painted scenic wallpaper produced by Zuber, a French manufacturer.

Historic 1817 Castlewood was built ca. 1817-1819 by Parke Poindexter. Poindexter was the Clerk of the Court at Chesterfield County from 1812 until 1847, almost 35 years. The original landowner was Henry Winfree, who received the property as a land grant in 1754. County Clerk Mr. Poindexter purchased the 180-acre tract in 1816 and began his efforts to construct a new home. One of the three or four finest Federal period houses in the county, Castlewood features a formal five-part plan differing from any other recorded Virginia dwelling.

Help Save Chesterfield County's Rich History

"C. 1860 Summerseat"  - According to tradition, this 19^th century house was used by a county magistrate as the “seat” of his court during summer months due to the muddy and rutted roads which made travel to the courthouse in the center of the county almost impossible.  The lower brick portion of the house was the “jail” or “detention center, complete with bars that held prisoners or those persons awaiting trial.  It is not a large building at 18 by 16 feet.  The house is part of Virginia State University.

C. 1879 Trinity Church - The old church sits in a stand of a few trees not quite visible from Krause Road but adjacent to Ironbridge Road where it is plainly noticeable.  It offers an unobstructed view at that corner.  Not so vacant any longer and no longer a huge storage shed for odds and ends, it serves a new purpose in its longevity of survival.  It is alive with activity once again.  Presently, the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia is utilizing the building as its headquarters and library until historic Castlewood is renovated.  Historic Castlewood, ca. 1817-1819, sits nearby to the church just across Krause Road and was once the parsonage for the Methodist.

        Genealogy Research

Summer Camps for Children