BOYKINS
As a way to collect, preserve and present the history of Boykins, a mini-museum has been established in town. Photos, plaques, copies of the town’s own newspaper in the early years of the 20th century, and other artifacts are set up in the Pope Building on Virginia Avenue.

As the self-described unofficial curator, Audra Anderson was at the premiere last Sunday afternoon to explain what was on the walls and inside the display cases.

Linda Beatty, vice mayor, had this to say about its project origins: “The Pope Building formerly served as “Memory Lane” for the town’s 125th celebration and was filled with newspaper clippings and memorabilia organized by Kitty Lassiter for that event.

“The Boykins Main Street Initiative had been discussing how it could be revived and came up with the idea of the mini-museum after deciding to fund the project by refurbishing the display case donated by D.P. Paul Jewelers in Norfolk.”

She added that with Town council’s approval for the use of the building, local craftsman and BMSI member Tommy Barnes of Cumberland Millworks redid the woodwork on the case. A local company was hired to replace the special glass.

“Anderson, who recently joined the group volunteered and spent many hours revitalizing the displays, and Tommy Barnes provided the display boards for her to decoupage,” said Beatty. “The cost of the update was funded by BMSI. In addition to the boards, Audra cleaned, painted and rearranged the displays and a few other BMSI members helped put on the finishing touches before the opening on Sunday.”