“History comes from the same word inquiry comes from,” Virginia Bryant, a volunteer for the Lawrence County Museum for 20 years, said.

The museum is celebrating its 20th anniversary with refreshments at 1 p.m. on Oct. 5.

Bryant said it has been so successful because of all of the community volunteers.

“It is run entirely by volunteers,” she said. “Over the 20 years, it would be impossible to count the number of people and volunteer hours that were put into the museum.”

The museum contains items that reveal the history of Lawrence County including photos, furniture, a working furnace model and clothing, Bryant said.

“We have rich history in Lawrence County between the museum and the library genealogy department.” Bryant said. “People can come and find out a lot about their ancestors. We have a lot of visitors.”

The museum doors were opened in 1988 after volunteers collected $60,000 to purchase the house the museum is set up in and furnish it.

Bryant said one particular group of donors sticks in her mind.

“Occasionally, we would go down to Kingsbury Elementary to take historical things for the kids to see,” she said. “They set a goal to cover the gym floor with pennies. They did and they called us down because they wanted us to have them to buy the house. It just touched your heart.”

Bryant said the house was purchased and set up and the doors opened December 1, 1988.

At the time, the museum only consisted of a parlor, sitting room and hallway, she said.

“We didn’t have very much, but we had an exhibit,” she said.

Now, volunteers have found several pieces of furniture that are original to the house and

Bryant said all fourteen rooms of the house have been restored and furnished.

“The memorabilia actually tell and show you things that were used in Lawrence County for 100 years,” she said.

The museum is located at 506 S. 6th St. in Ironton. It is open from 1p.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.