Every Christmas Season, we have an O Gauge Model Railroad Display on the third floor of the Museum. The train layout takes up the majority of the room and is a magical sight to see with the county of Bedford lit up on the layout. Several local businesses help us with the train layout each year, so their buildings are on the train layout and is featured on the train cars themselves. The trains run from Black Friday to the first Saturday in January. In December, the Museum stays open until 5pm on Saturdays.
The Museum offers a week-long summer camp for children entering the 2nd grade through the 8th grade. The camp offers a range of activities from early brickmaking to hands-on archeology. Campers play games from the past to include checkers, marbles, and Jacob's Ladder. They watch American Revolution and Civil War re-enactors demonstrate life on the battlefields and the use of their weapons. They learn about AM Radio and how President Franklin Roosevelt used radio to speak to the nation about his administration's historic programs enacted during the Great Depression. Native Americans teach campers about the environment and how it was used by their people before the European invasion. Children walk away from this summer camp with knowledge and experience that last a lifetime.
Each Spring the Museum hold a Women's History Month essay contest. Children in the 2nd to 8th grades enter by submitting a short essay (1-2 pages) about a woman who fits that year's theme. Examples of past themes include historical women who lived during the America's wars, were involved in politics, were African America, were from the County of Bedford, etc. Several judges score each submission. The student with the most points in the categories 2nd-5th grade and 6th-8th grade receives $50 each. In addition, prizes are awarded for 1st place and Runner up in three groups: 2nd-3rd grade, 4th-5th grade, and 6th-8th grade. Each 2nd place winner receives $25 and each Runners Up receives $15.
Submit to Enter Women's Essay Contest
Every year the Museum puts on our historical ghost walk tour where we highlight historic figures of Bedford's past. The figures highlighted over the past two years have been Carl Overstreet, Susie G. Gibson, Blanche Whiffen, Dr. Pogue, Martha Layne, The White Lady of Avenel, Moorman Musgrove, Bedford Boys (Jack Powers & Billy Parker), Mary Oney Fizer, Polly Smith, Peter Lee Huddleston, Henry V. Jordan, Jack Johnson, General Lewis, and Nicholas Meade.
The Museum has also been asked to join in events like Bedford Centerfest, National Night Out for the Bedford Police Department and New London Days in our original County seat of New London.
Handicapped access is available in the rear of the building.
