Wednesday, the community celebrated 175 years of history. This historic day is as much about the past as where they are heading in the future.

On March 9th, 1836, Warren County made it's way on to Virginia's map. Wednesday, 175 years later, today's leaders brushed elbows with household names from the past who helped shape this community.

“I have a little advantage over these people, I was in the 100 year anniversary in 1936, I was about nine or ten years old and I remember that and now here I am at the 175th,” Bernard "Bernie" Stokes.

Stokes served on Town Council and the Board of Supervisors for 28 years. Stokes and George Baggarly are just two of many past county leaders who were honored at this celebration.

“I had the privilege to serve the South River District for 28 years and that's still my home, I was born and raised there,” Baggarly says.

The anniversary committee has been planning the event since last year. The ceremony included presentations, a county history lesson and Delegate Clay Athey presented a proclamation from the General Assembly. Former County Sheriff Lynn Armentrout says in the decades he's lived here, the county has grown.

“When I was the sheriff we had 18 for the whole operational Sheriff's Office and when I left we had 101 so yes it's grown and activity has grown, but this is one wonderful county to live in,” Armentrout says.

Now this is a traveling exhibit the Anniversary Committee put together to commemorate the 175th, showcasing historical events for Warren County from when it was created in 1836 all the way to today.

It'll make stops at festivals throughout the county during the year long celebration.

“We got a lot to be proud of and we should show it,” Baggarly adds.

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