Several projects to expand Historic Buckingham’s programming and offerings are underway, with one expected to wrap up next month.

An annex directly behind the Housewright House Museum, the Pole Building Museum and a restroom facility in The Historic Village are among the projects under construction, Historic Buckingham Inc. President Martha Louis said.

She said the projects will continue to bring tourists to the area, which in turn will benefit Buckingham County.

“We feel like the Adams Annex will put Buckingham on the map as a destination, along with The Historic Village at Lee Wayside,” Louis said.

The Adams Annex will be located directly behind the Housewright House Museum at 13012 W. James Anderson Highway in Buckingham Court House.

The facility is being constructed by Tripp Maxey Construction. The annex will house antique and collectable items owned by Buckingham residents along with those of Spencer and the late Winnie Bryant Adams — two integral members of the organization.

The annex will be completely handicap accessible, Louis said, noting the building is being designed to match the styles of the surrounding historic area.

“Great care has been taken to make the building fit in with other structures in the Court House,” Louis said.

Among the items that will be in the annex include antique dolls and carriages, Indian relics and a vintage Santa collection, in addition to antiques that will change periodically.

The second half of the building, Louis said, will house a research room.

The paper files for the research room are currently being stored in the upper floor of the Housewright House Museum, but the narrow staircase makes accessibility difficult to nearly impossible, Louis said. 

“We are actually working on a brochure of all the historic destinations in Buckingham County. As everyone knows, tourism for a county like Buckingham can be very profitable, as the visitors come, they eat, they buy gas and then they leave.”

Louis said there were approximately 1,500 visitors at The Historic Village in 2016.

The restroom facility at The Historic Village at Lee Wayside, Louis said, is a 20-foot by 20-foot building and will have three stalls on either side with double sinks and diaper changing stations.

The restroom is handicap accessible and should be finished by Aug. 1.

Louis said the restroom facilities will benefit the public, particularly those who attend concerts at the Village Stage or the annual Vino at the Village event.

The Pole Building Museum, which will house vintage and mechanical items, will have a saw mill display, a garage containing a donated 1929 Chevrolet and additional storage for tables and chairs, Louis said.

She said the garage will have a vintage theme and contain vintage signs.

Louis said construction on the Pole Building Museum began last year.

“It’s a work in progress,” Louis said.

Louis said the museum has taken longer to complete as the work is being performed by volunteers. Some of the volunteers who have worked on the project, Louis said, are students at Buckingham County High School.

Historic Buckingham member Spencer Adams spearheaded the idea for the Pole Building Museum.

The museum’s siding and poles were donated by members of the community.

Historic Buckingham Inc. was established in 1976 and welcomes volunteers. To learn more, visit leewaysidevillage.com or historicbuckingham.org or call Martha Louis at (434) 547-2296.