Heathsville in Northumberland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Long Road to Today's Library
Our library owes its existence to three intrepid members of the Northumberland Junior Women's Club. In 1969, Chris Cogsdale, Kay Shirley and Patsy Basye decided our county needed a library. The trio sought out kindred spirits who donated books, volunteered their time and raised donations. They paved the way to secure local funding for what was then known as the Northumberland Memorial Library.
Big changes came in 1989 when the library was officially brought into the State Library System. We were then eligible to receive State and Federal Libary System. We were then eligible to receive State and Federal funds. By 1990, the big dream of a land grant in Heathsville came true. Our Lottsburg location had been outgrown and a new library would be located at the County Seat along with other major public buildings. In 1985, our name was changed to the Northumberland Public Library.
[Captions:]
The library was originally at the old School Board building in Lottsburg.
Our logo came to life as our mascot Ernestine on the library bookmobile.
Walk around the side of the building where Ernestine will guide you through our
this page online
Erected by Northumberland Public Library.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Education • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1969.
Location. 37° 54.939′ N, 76° 28.173′ W. Marker is in Heathsville, Virginia, in Northumberland County. It is on Northumberland Highway (U.S. 360) 0.2 miles east of Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 201), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7204 Northumberland Hwy, Heathsville VA 22473, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Northern Neck. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Tidewater, in the Chesapeake Bay Region, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chesapeake Bay Watermen (a few steps from this marker); Who Invented the Crab Pot (within shouting distance of this marker); The Stars Are Falling! The Stars Are Falling! (within shouting distance of this marker); Necessity and the Mothers of Invention (within shouting distance of this marker); Hooray for Steamboats! / Meet Daisy / The Amazon of Its Day (within shouting distance of this marker); The Small Fish that Made Reedville Rich (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Holley-Graded School (about 300 feet away); Northumberland County (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Heathsville.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 9, 2026
3. Wren's Walk Dedication Plaque
Thank you!
To everyone who made this park possible
Wren's Walk
Wren's Walk spotlights stories drawn from the rich culture and history of the Northern Neck. The installation was made possible through a generous donation from Linda and Greg Hanson in honor of their granddaughter, Wren.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 10, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
