The Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society will celebrate its 50th anniversary and dedicate new exhibit and research rooms during a Sunday event.

Creating exhibit and research rooms accessible to the public has been a goal of executive director Nikki Lorenzen since she arrived last year.

“The goal is to get it organized and archived and generally more accessible to the public,” Lorenzen said of the research room.

The exhibit room will be named after Susan Felton Woodward, a longtime historical society volunteer and board member and aficionado on Suffolk history. It will be located on the first floor of the society’s Phillips-Dawson House, in a room to the left of the entryway, where Mrs. Yvonne Dienne Dawson used to teach piano.

A variety of the society’s materials will be exhibited during Sunday’s event, ranging in time period from archaeological artifacts to Suffolk High School memorabilia.

“Later on, we’ll be able to do more focused exhibits,” Lorenzen said.

The research room will be dedicated to Marion Joyner Watson, the late historian of Suffolk and Nansemond County who spent many years recording and organizing records. It will be located on the second floor of the Phillips-Dawson House.

Lorenzen said the society’s many records include photographs, yearbooks from local schools, maps, letters, business ledgers, newspaper clippings, personal effects, genealogical information and more.

The society also will be able to show off renovations to other rooms in the home, including one that showcases some history of the Dawson family.

Even though the society’s official 50th anniversary isn’t until October, Lorenzen said it made sense to celebrate the anniversary at the same time as the room dedications.

“We have something in the works for October, as well, but this is our bigger spring celebration,” she said.

Sunday’s event will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Phillips-Dawson House, 137 Bank St. It will take place rain or shine and include refreshments and piano music.

RSVPs are requested, but not required, to 539-2781 or info@suffolkhistory.org.