The Grayson County Historical Society was founded in 1973. Since that time its activities have included leading preservation efforts for the 1908 Courthouse and obtaining a grant for a feasibility study on the condition of the building which was done by an internationally known architectural historian; stabilizing and restoring fourteen early county record books; maintaining an archive of donated and purchased materials for research; reprinted the 1897 map of Grayson; published Grayson County: A History in Words and Pictures (book), Grayson County Line (record), Glimpses of Grayson (calendars), and Glimpses of Grayson (newsletters).

The Grayson County Historical Society is committed to preserving the history of Grayson County and assisting all who are  searching for their Grayson county "roots." The Society has a vast amount  of historical information about Grayson County, the state of Virginia,  and surrounding areas.

Genealogies, photographs, maps, newspaper articles,  civil War history, marriage certificates, original letters and journals  are among the many reference materials that the Society has available to  the public.

A highlight of the Society's collection is a dress  worn by Eleanor Roosevelt. The dress  is currently on display at the Historic 1908 Courthouse in Independence, Virginia. The dress is displayed in a cabinet constructed by Roger P. Marshall, Sr. The display case was made to museum-quality standards that allow the dress to be loaned to other organizations for display.

The  Society also publishes a quarterly newsletter that provides its members  articles on local historical events and family history, as well as  providing updates on the Society's current activities.