The Anson County Historical Society gave guests a step back into the past on one of the most historical days in the country on July 4.

Steve Bailey, an employee with the historical society, led a group to four museums in Wadesboro: the Boggan-Hammond House, Alexander Little Wing, Ashe-Covington Medical Museum and Museum of Early America: The Leavitt House.

According to the historical society, the Boggan-Hammond House was built in 1796 by Patrick Boggan and is the oldest house in Wadesboro. The Alexander Little Wing was added to the original structure in 1839. The houses show original furniture and artifacts during that time period.

The Ashe-Covington Medical Museum was the first medical office of Dr. Edmund Ashe and was built around 1890. Many of the medical artifacts were donated to the museum. This building also provides information about the first black doctor, Dr. Edward Lorenzo Thomas, and the first black nurse.

The Leavitt House was built in 1832 and is the only antebellum-framed commercial building left in Anson County.

The medical museum brought back memories of one lady’s days as a nurse.

“When I was in nurses’ training, this is what I used,” she said, speaking of an old blood pressure cuff.

During the tour of the Museum of Early America: The Leavitt House, words of excitement and admiration were heard throughout the group while it looked at the farming implements, carpentry tools and home furnishings: “Wow, we have come a long way,” “I used to use that,” and “I remember when my grandparents used to use that stuff.”

“It’s great that they have been able to get the collections that they have gotten from the community,” said Melanie Countee, owner of The Dream Inn in Wadesboro and a member of the Anson County Tourism Development Authority. “As a member of the tourism development association, I hope they’ll be able to keep them open as something for people to come to town for.”

Tracey Brewer is a freelance correspondent for The Anson Record.

Tracey Brewer | For the Record Visitors look at artifacts in the Ashe-Covington Medical Museum July 4.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_Anson-museums-tour-7-4-16-fz.jpgTracey Brewer | For the Record Visitors look at artifacts in the Ashe-Covington Medical Museum July 4.

Tracey Brewer | For the Record Steve Bailey, an employee with the Anson County Historical Society, leads groups on tours through museums in uptown Wadesboro on July 4.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_Anson-museums-tour-7-4-16-2-fz.jpgTracey Brewer | For the Record Steve Bailey, an employee with the Anson County Historical Society, leads groups on tours through museums in uptown Wadesboro on July 4.
Historical society leads museum tours

By Tracey Brewer

For the Record