The Floyd County Historical Society has big plans for 2020: the Floyd County Historical Society 2020 Exhibit, and the ambitious Courthouse Document Conservation Project
In 2019, while the Historical Society Museum featured an exhibit on the history of Floyd County churches, volunteers worked to prepare for the conservation of thousands of documents once stored in the basement of the Floyd County Courthouse.
This year, the 2020 Featured Exhibit, “Wars Hot and Cold, Floyd County 1945-1960,” will look at Floyd County during the fifteen-year period from the end of the Second World War through to the end of the Eisenhower Administration (1945-1960). Among the topics displayed at the museum will be the return of the troops from World War II, as well as service and the county in the immediate aftermath of the war. There will also be displays focusing on the beginnings of the Cold War. These will include a look at the Korean Conflict and the soldiers who served in Korea. There will also be a look at the dynamics of Floyd County in the Fifties.
Floyd County had a vibrant economy in the post-war years. Returning soldiers pushed for school improvements, increased economic opportunities, and recreational and cultural enhancements. The County also faced the challenge of serving all its citizens in the age of the Civil Rights movement. Early momentum for change led to several educational, cultural, and economic improvements. Growth, however, slowed during the period. The county’s population began to decrease and many of the early successes could not be sustained.
While visiting the Historical Society Museum, the curious might also learn about the Courthouse Document Conservation Project which is currently in the works. These documents accumulated in the old Floyd County Courthouse for almost a hundred years; from the formation of Floyd County in 1831 until 1906. In the years since, they have been collecting dust in the basement of the current Floyd County Courthouse.
Among these two-hundred-year-old documents are judiciary records, criminal records, deeds, land tax filings, and so much more. Most of these are folded like brochures and then bundled and tied together. Many with multiple pages were also paper clipped, stapled, or sewn together like small booklets then stored tightly in boxes. As a result, the papers they were made from have become brittle and difficult to handle. The process of opening these fragile documents and digitizing their contents has become a focal project for the Historical Society.
Each one will be undergoing a humidification, digitization, and preservation process that has been painstakingly researched and tested at the Historical Society since July of 2019. The process includes the use of large storage bins with distilled water in the bottom and shelving to support the documents above the water. Four-inch long sections of PVC pipe support sections of light-diffusing panels to create the shelving. When bundles of documents are placed on the shelving within the bins and the lids secured, they gently absorb the moisture necessary for the sharp folds in the papers to relax. Each set of documents needs four to twelve hours of humidification before they can be partially unfolded. They need additional time, usually overnight, to finish relaxing the paper. Once the paper is supple enough to unfold completely, it can then be laid between sheets of absorbent blotting paper to dry and be pressed completely flat under a weight.
Once they are completely dried and pressed, they still must be scanned so that a digital record can be created. And finally, each document will be placed within its own protective sleeve and re-catalogued for long term preservation.
It is estimated that this trove contains over 40,000 documents. In order to complete the conservation of this massive collection within the current century, the Historical Society has rented a temporary annex and put together twenty-two humidification boxes to help speed up the process. Even with this added capacity, volunteers estimate that it will take over six years to complete the project, provided there is a constant flow of volunteers to keep the documents moving through the que.
Please feel free to contact the Floyd County Historical Society to find out more about this and other projects adopted by the organization. Also, stop by to visit the Museum and see the 2020 Featured Exhibit. The new exhibit opens Saturday April 18th, 2020.
Museum hours are Thursday and Friday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm and Saturdays from 11:00am to 3:00pm. There is wheelchair access to the first floor and admission is free to all.

Floyd County Historical Society
(540) 745-3247
info@floydhistoricalsociety.org
www.floydhistoricalsociety.org

Today, the Bread Basket is a landmark for locals and tourists alike in the rolling hills of Southwestern Virginia, and it’s all thanks to the hard work, sweat, and tears of founder Alice “Missy” Yoder.
In 1998, Missy started out by herself in a fixed-up shed, but in just three short weeks, she was successful enough to hire her first employee.
In 2000, she married Clyde Bender from northern Virginia. Clyde moved to Floyd where he helped Missy with her burgeoning business, but it wasn’t long till he began a battle with cancer. Missy had cut back her hours at the Bread Basket to care for him, but he lost the battle and passed away in 2001.
If such a dark cloud could possibly claim a silver lining, Missy was able to expand her quickly-growing business with the money Clyde had left her.

During 2005 and 2006, the house and store, now located at 2167 Webbs Mill Road, N in Floyd, were built. In the years that followed, times were lean, and times were prosperous. The one thing that remained constant was that folks could rely on seeing Missy’s smiling face whenever they visited.
Time passed, and in 2015, Missy found happiness once again. Alvin Hochstetler was from Goshen Indiana, but after marrying Missy, he moved to Floyd where his new bride was still very involved in the day to day operations of the bakery. Alvin was happy to join in, helping with the maintenance and other odd jobs.

In October of 2015, Kathleen Dougherty joined the staff of the bakery. She caught on fast and quickly grew to enjoy her job. Originally from Hanover, Pennsylvania, Kathleen was the second oldest in a family nine children. She had worked in retail from the time she was sixteen, putting in hours at a bulk food store, a greenhouse, a butcher shop, and a produce market. In May of 2017, she began dating local boy, Ben Yoder, who had gone to New River Community College to be a machinist. After marrying Ben in February of 2018, Kathy dropped to part-time at the Bread Basket. After store-front manager, Nanette West, moved on to pursue health care full time, however, Missy asked Kathy if she would return to full time as Store Manager. After much deliberation, she consented.
Much time had passed. With the Bread Basket in capable hands, Alvin an Missy could think about the possibility of moving permanently to Indiana where they could be close to Alvin’s four married children and their families. The couple wanted to retire where they could be part of their lives, as well as the lives of the grandchildren.
For six months during the spring and summer of 2018, Al and Missy advertised the business for sale in “Plain News”. Unfortunately, there was no response.
On December 23, 2018, Al and Missy said goodbye to Floyd and to the Bread Basket; moving to Indiana to retire among those they loved. On Christmas Day, Ben and Kathy moved into the house above the bakery, having agreed to manage the business on a trial basis throughout 2019. It was new ground for the young couple. They wanted to see if they could handle it all, along with starting a family.
From the beginning, they prayed for guidance, hoping that God would send a sign if they should pursue it further. The blessings started pouring forth. When one staff left to pursue other dreams, God sent another seeking a job, and that person fit right in. Then God sent Nicholas Avery Yoder, born on August 15.
The entire staff did an amazing job keeping things running smoothly while Kathy became a new mother. The year was successful for the bakery, and there didn’t seem to be any roadblocks telling them to reconsider. In October, the Yoders consented to buy the business.

And it’s a commitment they don’t take lightly. Ben and Kathy are committed to continuing the quality and the atmosphere made famous by Missy over the years; being a ray of light and hope to all who enter the doors.
Family to family, neighbor to neighbor, everyone is important. Ben is the handy man, Kathy is the Store Manager, and Nick’s job is to show his smile to everyone who walks in. They truly enjoy every interaction with each and every customer.
But it’s not just atmosphere and joy you’ll find at the Bread Basket! They have some of the best sandwiches in town, along with soft-serve ice cream, homemade breads, pies, and cookies!!! Follow the Bread Basket on Facebook for more information, and to keep up to date on the arrival of all the newest yummies! Drop by and say “Hi”! There is a favorite for all! God willing, the doors will be open for many years to come!

The Bread Basket
2167 Webbs Mill Rd N, Floyd, VA
Kathy and Ben Yoder
breadbasketva.com
540-745-5382
breadbasket.floydva@gmail.com

The Floyd Country Store

The Floyd Country Store is internationally renowned for its authentic Appalachian music and dance. People come from all over the world to experience the unique and time-honored culture celebrated by one of Southwest Virginia’s top tourist locations. However, the Floyd Country Store also prides itself on being dedicated to the local community through food, locally made goods, and music.

The Floyd Country Store

The Store is primarily known for its thirty-five-year-old tradition, the Friday Night Jamboree. During this weekly event, three bands play on the stage; typically offering a gospel set and two dance sets, while dancers of all ages fill the dance floor. While the scheduled fun is happening inside, the summer months will also have musicians filling the streets outside for spontaneous jam sessions.

When poor or cold weather comes, they play upstairs at The Floyd Country Store, in the Soda Fountain next door, across the street at County Sales, and even in the Floyd Barbershop.
On Friday nights, the town comes alive with music, dancers, and folks enjoying the evening revelry. In addition to dances on Fridays, as well as occasional Saturdays, the Floyd Country Store is also known to host some of the biggest names in Bluegrass and Americana. For intimate concerts in a room that seats around two hundred people, acts such as Gillian Welch, Bela Fleck, Abigail Washburn, and Dan Tyminski have performed just in the past few years.
The Floyd Radio Show also occurs each month, from September through May. This popular show features three musical acts, skits, interviews, jokes, and more. It harkens back the days before television became popular, when radio was king. On Saturdays and Sundays, the Store hosts free music! And new this year, they have extended the free music fun to Tuesday and Wednesday evenings! But this isn’t just a place for music to be heard, it’s also a place for music to be learned. The Floyd Country Store is home to the Handmade Music School; offering lessons and workshops in traditional music and dance throughout the year.
The Cafe at The Floyd Country Store is well-known to the local community for providing excellent, homemade food for lunch or dinner. The menu offers made-from-scratch soups and stews, quiches, salads, and sandwiches. Other offerings include hearty favorites like the Pinto Bean Platter, which comes with homemade pinto beans, collard greens, skillet-baked cornbread, and chow-chow. Daily specials are also available, such as savory hand-pies, Brunswick stew, grown-up grilled cheese sandwiches, and black bean burgers with homemade pesto mayo.
In early 2019, the Floyd Country Store made substantial upgrades to its kitchen and subsequently extended business hours to include dinner:
Tues – Thurs: 10 am – 8 pm
Friday: 10 am – 10 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 9 pm
Sunday: 11 am -7 pm
The new dinner hours come with hearty new specials, as well as live music most evenings. This includes the new, free live music on Tuesday and Wednesday nights; featuring local bluegrass, old-time, and Americana artists. With the installation of the new kitchen, the Store now offers a pickup catering menu! It includes everything on the regular menu, plus party platters and desserts. These catering packages are great for parties and family gatherings, and can be made to suit any occasion.
Also new as of Fall 2019, is the Soda Fountain at The Floyd Country Store. Located right next door, this new space is a trip through time; offering classic sundaes, malts, milkshakes, soda floats, banana splits, and homemade ice cream sandwiches.
The decadent ice cream comes from local Homestead Creamery, and the waffle cones are made fresh, in-house. The Soda Fountain also makes two kinds of dessert waffles, which can be ordered with fresh bananas and real maple syrup. They can also be ordered as the base for a sundae, piled high with ice cream and toppings.

The new ice cream shop itself is beautifully decorated with bright turquoise walls, local art, and furnishings by Floyd artisans.
If you’re shopping for a unique gift, The Floyd Country Store offers something for everyone. The kids’ section is stocked full of different toys, games, music makers, and art supplies. Outdoor lovers will be pleased to find a good selection of Carhartt boots and apparel, Darn Tough socks, Buck knives, and insulated drink ware.

The Floyd Country Store

Looking for something made locally? Check out the selection of local honey, jams, sauces, and candies, as well as an abundance of soaps. There are lavender candles and bath salts from local farms. There are hand-carved walking sticks, wooden spoons, rag rugs, corn husk wreaths, and more! The Store also stocks musical instruments and supplies, as well as instructional books, songbooks, and CDs.
And if you’re interested in bluegrass, country, or Americana music, check out the newly-reopened County Sales music store across the street for recorded music, books, and vintage vinyl. The Floyd Country Store is a one-of-a-kind stop for food, shopping, music, and of course, ice cream!

Visit today to experience everything new and to see all the Store has to offer.
The Floyd Country Store 206 S Locust St, Floyd, VA floydcountrystore.com info@floydcountrystore.com 540-745-4563

Located just five miles south of Floyd on Route 221, Wildwood Farms is not only a General Store, but also a two-acre daylily garden, entering their twentieth selling season! Wildwood’s daylily gardens have become a landmark in Floyd County, and they are very excited to have reached such a significant anniversary.
“It has been such a rewarding endeavor”, they tell us, “and we’ve made so many wonderful friends and that makes all the hard work worth it.”
Wildwood grows around one-thousand varieties of daylilies, with around six-hundred varieties listed for sale each year. They are one of the largest commercial daylily gardens in the state, and visitors are welcome to wander through the beautiful gardens.
For the most enchanting visit, however, Wildwood tells us the peak bloom usually falls within the first few weeks of July. For those wanting to purchase daylilies, the folks at Wildwood will dig them on the spot for customers to take along. They are also happy to ship the plants, if customers prefer.
Daylilies are summer-blooming, perennial flowers that are a great addition to any landscape. They are extremely hardy and carefree. Drought tolerant, they are also not bothered by most insects or diseases.
Wildwood has single flowers, miniatures, doubles, unusual forms, and flowers that bloom at different times of the season. The biggest challenge for most people is selecting their favorite plants from the huge variety! But don’t worry. Wildwood’s knowledgeable staff are happy to assist with that. Just tell them your favorite color or colors, where you will be planting, and they will help with a plan.
In 2013, Wildwood added the General Store, offering a great selection of home and garden décor. There is also “Mama’s Pantry”, where visitors can find bulk candy, old fashioned candy, dried beans, country ham, hoop cheese, and Virginia grown peanuts. Wildwood offers a good variety of jams, jellies, pickles, and other canned goods, canned right here in Virginia!
More recently, Wildwood opened “George’s Kitchen”, serving a variety of delicious grilled and toasted sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, and BBQ, as well as hand-dipped Hershey’s ice cream. The store and the kitchen are open seven days a week. Visit online at www.wildwoodfarmsfloyd.com for the full menu and daily hours. They can also be found on Facebook at Wildwood Farms General Store.
Wildwood Farms is a family business, owned and operated by Bob and Judy Bowman. The Bowmans strive to create a warm and friendly atmosphere, wanting customers to feel like the store is a home away from home.
Because Judy’s mother lived in Floyd, the Bowmans began their garden nearby. It was the perfect way to share her love of daylilies and gardening. She was a significant influence on their lives and taught them the true meaning of love and family. Before the passing of Judy’s mother and stepfather in 2012, plans were already being discussed for the addition of the general store. They knew they wanted music to be part of it, having grown up with traditional music all their lives. They also knew it would have been important to Judy’s mother. The Bowmans feel she would have loved store and the music, as well as visiting withal the people!
When the store was being built, a stage was added so musical performances could be offered. The Bowmans also wanted a venue that could host meetings and classes. To book the stage for a musical performance, or to book the space for your meeting or class, contact 540-745-5155, or email info@wildwoodfarmsdaylilies.com.

Wildwood Farms General Store has ample parking that can accommodate buses or visiting groups. Beside the store is a grassy area that’s used annually for Cruise-ins and the “Old Timey Fest”. The Cruise-ins feature a great showing of classic cars, along with a regular music jam. This year the “Old Timey Fest” will be on Saturday, October 17, featuring antique tractors, antique cars, craft and yard sale setups, woodworking, and other interesting demonstrations.
Wildwood Farms is proud to be the “neighborhood place to be,” and they are eager to assist with community events geared toward helping people locally. On Sunday, April 26th Wildwood will be hosting a fundraiser for the Roberson Mill Restoration. The event will include gospel singing and a silent auction. Visit online at www.wildwoodfarmsfloyd.com for details. There will also be several special events throughout the summer, including a series of Classic Rock Nights and Cruise-Ins. The Friday dates for this series are June 19th, July 3rd, July 31st, and August 28th.
The music will be outside on the patio, with the classic car Cruise-in happening in the parking lot. These events are so much fun, and all the folks at Wildwood want to urge everyone to come join in!
Looking for something to do on a Saturday night? Wildwood has live bluegrass music every Saturday from 7:00pm-9:00pm, with no admission charge. Judy’s sister, Sue, is the music coordinator, performing during the break on Saturday nights. Sue also leads the Music Jams on the first and third Sundays of every month. Visitors are guaranteed to be toe-tapping to the music of one of the great Bluegrass or Old Time Bluegrass bands that perform at Wildwood every week.
The adventurous can join Judy and her sisters on the dance floor. After working hard all week, these ladies love to kick up their heels and join their friends on the dance floor! Visit online at www.wildwoodfarmsfloyd.com for the full schedule of music and events at Wildwood Farms! Wildwood Farms General Store is a one stop shop for gardening, live music, great food, home décor, and some really unique gift items. Drop by today to shop, enjoy a delicious sandwich, and relax on the patio while enjoying the wonderful view of the garden and daylilies.

Wildwood Farms General Store • 2380 Floyd Hwy S, Floyd, VA Judy and Bob Bowman • wildwoodfarmsdaylilies.com 540-745-5155 • info@wildwoodfarmsdaylilies.com

In the late Fall of 1987, Annie and Jeff Armistead were married and found themselves living in Check, occupying an old farmhouse that had definitely seen better days. Somehow, with the help of wonderful and generous neighbors, they survived a few winters in that old house.
During some home renovations, Bill Graefe was a particularly generous neighbor; not only having helped the Armisteads on many other occasions, but also with the renovation work. Graefe and the Armisteads continued to trade talents over the years, tackling everything from standing seam roofing to woodworking. Jeff has considered Bill a good friend ever since.
As time passed, the Armistead family grew while Jeff and Annie progressed in their careers. After two local moves, the Armisteads eventually bought a farm in Riner. In more recent years, Annie found herself drawn once again to the wonderful Floyd community. She began driving into Floyd to work part-time at Troika Gallery, reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones.  When Silvie Granatelli, Susan Icove, and Gibby Waitskin decided to sell Troika in 2018, Annie, along with potter Abby Reczek, decided to take a leap of faith and buy the gallery. Annie and Abby each brought individual talents to Troika. Annie excels in staging art, where Abby is wonderful with marketing and social media.
Barely one year had passed when Bill and Corinne Graefe, with six grown kids between them, decided to retire. For twenty years, they had built Phoenix Hardwoods into a thriving business that eventually became an integral part of Floyd. Without a buyer, however, the Graefes faced having to close up shop. They agonized over the fact that long-time staffers, Bradley, Eric, and Henry, would lose their jobs. As most of the community knows, these young men are extremely gifted woodworkers.
One afternoon, Corinne stopped by Troika to drop off some pieces and explained to Annie about the Graefes’ plan to retire. After the initial shock, it didn’t take long for both Annie and Jeff, along with their son Ben, to begin discussing how the Armistead family could be a part of preserving the local legacy of Phoenix Hardwoods. They felt as if they were presented with the opportunity to not only continue cultivating fine local woodworkers, but to also continue producing beautiful hardwood furniture and accessories.
Once again, the Armisteads found themselves back in the warm embrace of the Floyd community. This time, it was thanks to the very folks that had helped them more than thirty years earlier, when they’d first put their hands into Floyd County the soil.
When the decision was made, Annie and Abby didn’t sit still for long. While Jeff and Ben took over the Phoenix Hardwoods operation located just six miles from Floyd, Abby and Annie were busy planning a presence for Phoenix in town. They leased another space in The Station that will provide room to display larger pieces of furniture and accessories. The new store will be called “Troika Home”, and it will open its doors to the public in April of 2020. Meanwhile Jeff is discovering that many of his life experiences have led him to this new, special place. He will soon finish his tenure with the Department of Forestry, which will allow both him and Ben the time to focus solely on Phoenix Hardwoods.
Jeff’s career has been in conservation for decades. First, he was Director of the Selu Conservancy. He was then Board President of the New River Land Trust, managing a family tree farm and doing research for the Virginia Department of Forestry.
Ben was born in Floyd and feels he has landed where he has always belonged. For the past twelve years, he has worked with his hands as a talented carpenter; most recently under the tutelage of Al Anderson, restoring timber frame structures. He plans to continue keeping his hands dirty in the shop but will also be learning the business end of what Corinne and Bill have started.
Change is difficult, yet Bill and Corinne have excitedly welcomed the changes to the old showroom, including new gallery lighting, paint, flooring, and windows. It has created a new space for Phoenix’s talented wood workers to proudly display their art. Jeff and Ben are now working closely with Bill, Corrine, Bradley, Eric, and Henry to learn every aspect of the business. They have made a promise to Bill and Corinne that they will continue in their stead; ensuring that Phoenix Hardwoods keeps thriving for many years to come.

Phoenix Hardwoods • 2540 Floyd Hwy N, Floyd, VA Annie & Jeff Armistead • phoenix-hardwoods.com 540-745-7475 • hardwoods2020@gmail.com