Research and Genealogy

The Light Library / Public Collections

The Montgomery Museum is proud to host the most extensive collection of resources on Montgomery County and the surrounding area to be found. At our library, we hold collections on local history, the historic families of the region, cultural achievements from the area, and historical documents that offer information on the region. Our collections range from the colonial era to the present, and have something to offer for anyone interested in learning more about Montgomery or the Appalachian region.

Collections: 

Newspaper Collection: 1952 - 1998. The museum has most editions of the News Messenger and the Radford Messenger from 1952 to 1998. Collections from some years have degraded and been removed from our public collections, but can be made available through appointment. 

Family History Books and Files: We keep a collection of genealogy books, yearbooks, books of local family histories, and other methods of finding specific people and families in historic Montgomery. 

Historic Montgomery Census Data: We maintain a collection of historic government census data, obituaries, and other methods of finding the people and places of Montgomery county throughout our history. 

Local African American Historical Resources: Thanks to a generous donation by the NAACP, our library boasts an extensive collection of resources to learn about African American history and life in the Montgomery/Appalachia region. 

Appalachian Historical Resources: The museum has cultivated a thorough collection of books on Appalachian history, folklore, life, and art. Our collection includes hundreds of books covering Appalachian architecture, folkways, industry, photography, history, and more!

Historical Resources on Montgomery County: We maintain a collection of books on Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Virginia Tech, and other surrounding townships and communities. Through these resources, you can probably answer most questions you have about the history of our area

Genealogical Resources: 

Do you think you have family from Montgomery County and want to learn more about them? Would you like to learn if you’re related to any famous historical figures? The Montgomery Museum is available to help! We have extensive collections of census data, historical collections, and family papers from across and around the Montgomery area. In addition, the museum is associated with a group of local genealogists who are happy to assist visitors with their research at the library, and can answer questions via email.

Research Inquiry Form

  • We recommend calling ahead before visiting to ensure that someone familiar with the research materials is available to assist you.

  • While a group of local genealogists associated with the museum are happy to attempt to answer email inquiries for patrons who cannot visit the museum, our small size prevents us from undertaking extensive research.