You can't travel very far in Virginia without running into something relating to history.

European settlement of America began in Virginia, Civil War battlefields cover just about every part of the state and historical markers line every other roadway.

But the history of Virginia is about more than just battles, events and settlements. It's a narrative of the people who shaped the culture and story of the commonwealth. It's the social history of the state that truly tells the story of Virginia life.

In three exciting upcoming events, an exhibition, symposium and concert, the Virginia Historical Society is delving into some of these stories. From a country music star and bluegrass music to a century of moonshining in the mountains, these events offer a glimpse into an often overlooked aspect of life in Virginia.

"A lot of people think of the Virginia Historical Society as history up-until-the Civil War," said Jennifer Mason, media relations specialist for VHS. "But there were more changes in the 20th century than any other century in Virginia."

The Country Gentlemen

First up, The Country Gentlemen perform Thursday night at VHS. This is a special concert from the bluegrass band that started the progressive bluegrass movement. For 50 years this group, made up of Eddie Adcock, Tom Gray, Jimmy Gaudreau and Randy Waller, has been performing and influencing the genre of bluegrass music.

"We're trying to do more music-related programming. Music history is just another way of looking at Virginia history," Mason said.

During the concert, band historian Martha Adcock will explore the history and evolution of The Country Gentlemen and its influence of the genre.

"Pop culture is a great way of exploring Virginia's past. It's something that we haven't always focused on, but it's something that we know is a great resource to look at Virginia history," Mason said.

"Sweet Dreams: The Life and Times of Patsy Cline"

Virginia native Patsy Cline is often said to be one of the most influential singers of all time. This day-long symposium is devoted to studying the singer, her life, work and her legacy. Scholars, historians and authors will spend the day discussing Cline and the political and social era in which she lived. At the end of the symposium, Richmond radio personality Tim Timberlake will host a Patsy Cline review concert.

"It was just so fortunate for us that we had both of these opportunities come about the same time, within two weeks of each other," Mason said.

"Moonshining in the Blue Ridge"

Organized by the Blue Ridge Institute of Ferrum College, this exhibition dedicated to a century of Virginia moonshining is thought to be the largest exhibit on moonshining in the country. And it comes to the Virginia Historical Society in May. The exhibition includes video interviews with moonshiners and federal agents, stills, a full-size diorama of a still operation, still makers' tools and dozens of period photographs.

"We're extremely exciting about [this exhibition] coming because it's going to be another pop-culture subject," Mason said. "Some people might shy away from [it] because it's a little bit controversial, but we're looking forward to explaining how [moonshining] got started and the impact it had on Southwest Virginia."