About the Historical Society of Washington County
A Regional Center for Genealogical Research
Founded in 1936, the Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of Washington County and Southwest Virginia. The society is based at 341 West Main Street in downtown Abingdon, the historic county seat, where it has become one of the region's leading centers for genealogical and historical research.
The society's collections are impressive for a county organization of any size: more than 7,000 books, some 200,000 digital images, and over one million indexed records covering families and communities throughout Southwest Virginia. The volunteer-staffed research library is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and the society encourages researchers to call ahead to confirm availability. It also maintains dedicated resources for family reunions, making it a natural first stop for descendants tracing roots in the Abingdon area.
Beyond the library, the society keeps local history in front of the public through an active slate of programs, including cemetery tours, historical conversations featuring period interpreters, and Liberty Fest, a heritage festival commemorating American history. An ongoing Veteran Video Interview Project records the first-hand accounts of area veterans for future generations. Members receive a quarterly newsletter covering society activities and newly acquired collections, along with a biannual bulletin featuring well-researched articles on the history of Washington County and the surrounding region.
Plan Your Visit
The Historical Society of Washington County is located at 341 West Main Street in downtown Abingdon, Virginia. The research library is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; calling ahead is recommended since the library is staffed by volunteers. For current programs and research services, visit hswcv.org.
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