BASSETT, Va. — Historian Thomas D. “Tom” Perry will make a special announcement on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Bassett Historical Center. This announcement will involve three separate book projects to raise money for the regional history library for Patrick and Henry counties.

Those interested in the work of the library are invited to attend to learn about the important work underway to preserve the history of the region.

The Bassett Historical Center is not a society, but a research library that is part of the Blue Ridge Regional Library. A fundraising campaign is underway to raise $800,000 to double the size of the library. It is not just a Henry County library, but includes enormous amounts of information about Perry’s native county of Patrick including the collections of O.E. Pilson, primary author of the “History of Patrick County,” Eunice Kirkman, and Perry himself. Visit www.bassetthistoricalcenter.com for more information about the library.

Twenty years ago, Perry started the J.E.B. Stuart Birthplace and preserved 75 acres at the site of the birthplace and boyhood home of Civil War General James Ewell Brown “Jeb” Stuart in their home of Ararat, just outside Mount Airy. Perry is the author of 10 books on regional history including the “Images of America: Henry County Virginia.” He is donating all the royalties of this book to the effort to expand the Bassett Historical Center. Visit www.freestateofpatrick.com to learn more about Perry’s work.

Perry is chairman of the Henry County Heritage Book Committee that is accepting stories for publication in 2010. Deadline to submit stories and purchase the book is Nov. 5. All profits from this book also go to the Building Fund of the Bassett Historical Center.

The all-volunteer 15-member committee invites all residents of Martinsville and Henry County to participate in this important project to preserve the history of Henry County and expand the regional history library.

The final workshop conducted by Perry will be Tuesday at King’s Grant Retirement Community in Martinsville at 7 p.m. Anyone can watch the workshop online at the Web site or on VHS and DVD at the Bassett Historical Center. Visit www.freestateofpatrick.com/hchb for more information about the Henry County Heritage Book.

For more information, contact Tom Perry at freestateofpatrick@yahoo.com or (276) 692-5300.

The Bassett Historical Center is at 3964 Fairystone Park Highway, Bassett. More information is available at baslib@yahoo.com or by calling (276) 629-9191.