Established in 1853, Drakes Branch rose to prominence as a large dark-fired tobacco market. For over 100 years, eight warehouses and numerous prizeries served the farmers of Southside Virginia...until the Great Depression of the 1930s. Wall Street recovered. The tobacco warehouses did not.
 
 Drakes Branch Museum (former bank)

The Drakes Branch Museum is housed in the old State Bank of Charlotte County on Main Street. The bank was built in 1906. (Pictured at left.)

  Main Street Drakes Branch - historic photo
 Lantern and drawing of old train station The train station (pictured at the left) replaced the one burned during the Wilson-Kautz Raid in 1864. Wilson-Kautz Raid Sign 
 old wall mount telephone  The museum honors the railroad, the industries, the churches, the schools, and the farms that have been a part of the proud history of the community. Tobacco Planter 
Hours of Operation:
The Drakes Branch Museum is open on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month
from 10 AM to Noon and for special exhibits as posted.
The Drakes Branch Museum is handicapped-accessible.
E-mail drakesbr@hovac.com
or call 434-568-3091(The Town Clerk) for more information.
Return to Museum of
Charlotte County		 The Drakes Branch Museum welcomes your gifts of time, funding, and artifacts. Return to Charlotte County Home Page

group in front of old hotel