History comes to life once again on First Fridays as the Greenbrier Historical Society invites the community to gather for Our Stories: First Friday Lecture Series, a monthly lecture series celebrating the people, places, traditions, and tales that have shaped the Greenbrier and Meadow River Valley regions and Appalachia.
Held on the first Friday of each month from June to December, the series offers an inviting evening of storytelling, conversation, and discovery from 5 to 7 p.m. at the North House Museum, unless otherwise noted.
Guests can expect engaging speakers, fascinating local history, and the chance to connect with neighbors over shared stories and engaging conversation. Admission is free, light refreshments will be available, and guests are welcome to bring their own snacks or beverages.
From African American quilting traditions and Civil War history to school days gone by, Appalachian folklore, and changing perspectives on the American lawn, the 2026 lineup explores the many threads that weave together our rich cultural heritage.
2026 First Fridays Lecture Schedule:
June 5: Mary Mitchell – Underground Quilts: A History of African American Quilting Traditions. Our First Friday Lecture Series kicks off on June 5 with Alderson quilter Mary Mitchell presenting Underground Quilts: A History of African American Quilting Traditions. A lifelong sewist and passionate quilt historian, Mitchell blends artistry, storytelling, and preservation in her work. Her presentation will explore quilting traditions connected to the Underground Railroad, the cultural significance of handmade quilts, and the ways fabric and stitchwork preserve stories of faith, resilience, and survival across generations.
July 3: Michelle Myers – An Examination of Irregular Warfare During the Civil War. A closer look at unconventional warfare tactics, the West Virginia bushwhacker, and how the geography and terrain of the Greenbrier Valley and beyond proved to be “the perfect storm for the huge volume of irregular or guerilla operations conducted throughout the war.”
August 7: Jess Levine – The Lawn: A History and a Look Forward. An engaging discussion on the history and progression of the American Lawn, its cultural impact, and changing perspectives on landscape and sustainability.
September 4: Vicky Neal and Kim McBride – School Days of the Past. Step back in time to explore what education and everyday school life once looked like in Greenbrier County, with a spotlight on one-room schoolhouses.
October 2: Dave Briggs – Head Museum Associate Friday Night Frights: Ghost Stories at the North House Museum. Get spooked to kick off Halloween month with some West Virginia Ghost tales. Handed down in the hills and hollers these stories read by Head museum associate Dave Briggs were collected by folklorist Ruth Ann Musick and have unnerved Mountain State people for generations.
November 6: Vicky Neal – Hidden History of Western Greenbrier County. Discover the stories, people, and industries that helped shape Western Greenbrier County, while learning about what’s ahead for the Hidden History of Western Greenbrier County project.
December 3: Al Emch – A discussion of the 1834 Supreme Court of Appeals Law Library and Study Building by Judge Henry St. Forge Tucker, Sr. A living history presentation featuring Al Emch portraying Judge Henry St. Forge Tucker, Sr., President of the Court from 1830 to 1840, exploring the historic law library and study building and its place in Virginia and West Virginia history.
Greenbrier Historical Society and North House Museum is located at 814 Washington Street W. in Lewisburg. For more information and updates on each event, please visit greenbrierhistorical.org, follow us on Facebook (@greenbrierhistorical), Instagram (@greenbrierhistoricalsociety), or call 304-645-3398.
