“Time in nature is not leisure time; it’s an essential investment in our children’s health (and also, by the way, in our own.)” –Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder.
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A Tour of Thomas Day’s Works (Free Black Cabinet Maker Before Civil War)
A local African-American entrepreneur from the early 1800s is gaining widespread recognition for his unique furniture and indoor woodworking.
Several of his works are on display at Oak Grove Bed and Breakfast.
From 1820 to 1860, this businessman, Thomas Day, had dozens of workers, both white and black (including his own slaves), handcraft and later machine-craft architectural elements and furniture. He became the largest furniture manufacturer in North Carolina with his uniquely designed beds, wardrobes, chairs, cabinets and mantels.
More than 150 years later, the talented free black man is finally gaining recognition from the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum of History in Raleigh, N.C., his hometown of Milton, N.C., and the region’s tourist industry. All have displayed and promoted this craftsman’s handiwork.
More can be found in Mike’s article in the Danville Register & Bee.
To make an appointment to visit the museum, use this form.
You may enjoy the walking and driving tours of the area. They include the South Boston Historic District Walking Tour, the Halifax Mountain Road Walking tour, and the South of Dan Driving Tour. Go here for a 9-minute PBS Video of Thomas Day and his works.
Follow the links below for more information about our area!
- Molasses Grill, Halifax (unquestionably the best)
- Paco’s Restaurant and Lounge
- Southern Plenty (breakfast and lunch). Excellent.
- Main Street Bar & Grill
- See more restaurant links here
- Staunton River Battlefield, location of a skirmish where Southern reserves fought off Yankee soldiers near the end of the Civil War.
- Thomas Day Tour
- Tobacco Heritage Trail – Halifax County Facebook page
- South of Dan Historical Tour
- Halifax Walking Tour
- South Boston Walking Tour
- Bob Cage’s Sculpture Garden is a must-see on any trip. A local artist created huge sculptures on his land, which is also grazed by goats.
- Virginia International Raceway, also in Halifax County, features major auto, motorcycle and chump car races every year.
- South Boston Speedway, home of NASCAR-style auto racing.
- Try some star gazing at Nearby Staunton River State Park has won a Virginia Green award as one of only international 25 dark sky parks in the world! You’ll see constellations and bright stars you would never see from the city.
- Halifax County Bike Routes. The county is perfect for wide-open rides on lightly traveled roads, with gentle, rolling terrain.
- Buggs Island/Kerr Lake, a half hour east of Oak Grove, it has boating, swimming, fishing in a man-made lake behind Kerr Dam.
Full list of events fronm GoHalifax.