The 2011 Patrick County Christmas Ornament is now on sale. Price is $10. See your local Chamber of Commerce to purchase one. Here is our Press Release.

Press Release – 2011 Christmas Ornament From: Patrick County Chamber of Commerce Date: October 20, 2011 The Patrick County of Chamber Commerce announces the release of the 2011 Collector Christmas Ornament which is a picture of Cooper’s Mill in Critz, VA. The ornament sells for $10 each. (Telephone number: 276-694-6012) Here is the story of Cooper’s Mill: In 1871, William Herbert Cooper started his small grist mill building, a wooden dam on Spoon Creek, with water to power the mill. Later a box factory was built to package plug tobacco for Spencer Penn Tobacco Company in Spencer, VA. About 1920, Benjamin Herbert Cooper (son of William Herbert Cooper) went to Nelson County and purchased a five by twelve foot steel water wheel. He worked in his blacksmith shop to make the wheels, cogs, and shafts himself. Later, he installed a hammer mill to grind feed also powered by the water wheel. During the 1937 flood, part of the dam was washed out. Benjamin Herbert Cooper hauled logs on horse-drawn wagons to a small sawmill where new timbers were sawed to repair the dam. After a few months Cooper’s Mill was in operation again. After Benjamin Herbert Cooper’s death, his daughter, Nannie Ruth Cooper Terry and her husband, Nat Terry, took over operation of Cooper’s Mill. Written by Phillip G. Cooper. Source: Patrick County Historical Book (Note: Nannie Ruth Cooper Terry was a well known teacher and authority on local history. She helped found the Patrick County Historical Society.) Locations to purchase the ornaments are: • Merritt Farm & Garden-Critz • The Reynolds Homestead-Critz • Surry Bank and Trust-Stuart • Sun Trust Bank- Stuart • Wanda’s Estate Jewelry-Stuart • Christmas In The Meadows-Meadows of Dan • River Community Bank-Stuart • BB&T Bank-Stuart and Meadows of Dan • Granny’s Attic-Stuart • Four Rivers Realty-Patrick Springs • Patrick County Chamber of Commerce-Stuart