The Botetourt Historical Museum filled up with guests Saturday during a reception for the month-long exhibit “Finding What Has Been Lost.” The exhibit features a collection of artifacts, documents and pictures that focus on the history of the Botetourt County African American community. Much of the information is about the schools and churches, since community life revolved around those important institutions.

Several prominent African American community leaders and citizens who have made important contributions, either locally or on the national level, are featured as well.

Detailed and comprehensive research on the Botetourt County African American history was begun in 2004 by Edward Wayne (Eddie) Barnett and Judith (Judy) Carolyn Barnett They applied for and received a Discretionary Fund Grant from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities through the Botetourt County-Wide League to help fund this research project. The collection has also been digitalized and that digital display will be available permanently in a slide show at the museum.

The museum is located directly behind the main courthouse building in Fincastle (use the sidewalk that goes around the left side of the building). It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. Admission is free.