The Alleghany Highlands Genealogical Society is a grass roots, non-profit, non-stock corporation, chartered by the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1994. The Society is governed by a Board of Directors composed of the President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Historian and three Members At-Large. Membership is open to any applicant interested in furthering the objectives of this society without regard to race, creed, religion or social status.

The AHGS began in 1991 to bring together persons interested in history of families of the Alleghany Highlands. The first meeting was held in the Charles P. Jones Library. Later, meetings were held in the basement of the Alleghany County Courthouse. Subsequently, a room was made available in the former Rivermont School building and much later moved to the former Jeter-Watson School building where it is now located.

To date the work of the Society has utilized volunteer labor, without paid staff. Our outreach services include an on-going member recruitment program, publishing a quarterly newsletter, providing research assistance and information exchange with persons throughout the United States who have an interest in past and present inhabitants of our area.

Our clientele is located through the United States. The AHGS is their link to locating information about places, dates, and events which took place in Alleghany County and bordering areas. The AHGS Library is open to the public three days a week, and by appointment for those who must travel for some distance and cannot visit Covington on these days. Work groups meet on alternate days to carry out various tasks which cannot be completed during hours of public access or which would interfere with researchers working with the 150 square foot of available floor space.

Researchers who contact the area's public libraries, neighboring genealogical and historical societies, the Chamber of Commerce, as well as Courthouses, are referred to the Society. It has been said that "the Society is the best tourist attraction in the City of Covington: and we are proud to say we do our best to keep that status.

AHGS Library Business Hours
Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday
10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

Other times by appointment:
Call: Inna Henderson at 540-962-1501

or write

Alleghany Highlands Genealogical Society
515 East Pine Street
Jeter-Watson Center
Covington, Virginia 24426

or email

Inna Henderson  InnaMcAlli@aol.com

Linda Boggs  lsb081957@yahoo.com  or

Alleghany Highlands Genealogical Society ahgs.cov.va@gmail.com