Jonesville resident Judy Wolfe was recognized by the North Carolina Society of Historians on Oct 20 by receiving the Barringer Award for Excellence.

Wolfe, chair of the Jonesville Historical Society, received the award and was cited for “valuable contributions toward preserving and perpetuating the history of Jonesville and the Yadkin Valley.”

“Coming home to Jonesville in 2007 and seeing what Jonesville was doing, and the fact that it was Jonesville’s bicentenial, I think that’s what really peaked my interest,” Wolfe said of what started her devotion to Jonesville’s history.

Wolfe was recognized Oct. 20 for her contributions to a year-long celebration of Jonesville’s 200th birthday. Her efforts included the opening of Jonesville’s History Center, developing historic Mineral Spring Park, organizing Jonesville Jubilee, coordinating a black heritage festival and writing a video-narrative of Jonesville’s history.

In promoting the history of the Yadkin Valley, Wolfe has been instrumental in designing a memorial, using rail sections from the Hugh Chatham Memorial Bridge, to honor over 3000 Tri-County veterans who have defended our nation since the mid-1700’s. Currently Wolfe is promoting “Hands Across the River,” a community project to re-construct the ferry that once connected Elkin and Jonesville.

“It’s a tremendous personal honor, but i think it’s one that needs to be shared by the Historical Society because they are the ones that provide the framework for everything we do for promoting the history of Jonesville and the Yadkin Valley,” Wolfe said.

Wolfe is now completing a book on Jonesville’s early history when it was known as Allen’s Settlement, one of the oldest towns in the Yadkin Valley.

Reach Darcie Dyer at 835-1513 or ddyer@heartlandpublications.com.