Located in historic downtown Bedford and within walking distance of museums, restaurants, shopping, and other Centertown establishments, the Chamber office has been a permanent fixture in the Bedford community for almost 50 years. However, the Bedford Chamber’s history of influencing economic and community prosperity in the Bedford area stretches far before the construction of its main office.
In 1925, the Bedford Board of Trade voted to change its name to the Bedford Chamber of Commerce and received its incorporation on October 7, 1939, with the latter date being celebrated as the Bedford Chamber’s official anniversary.
Before the construction of its main office, the Bedford Chamber met at various locations around Bedford, including the basements of its various member businesses. Even without a permanent location, the Bedford Chamber served as an economic developer, tourism and information center, and membership organization for the Bedford area. The Bedford Chamber played a major part in attracting and developing Rubatex, Sam Moore Furniture, SML State Park, The Peaks of Otter Restaurant & Lodge, Bedford Memorial Hospital, and more.
Eventually, local leaders determined a need for a Bedford Chamber “headquarters.” The ground at the Chamber’s permanent office was broken on August 28, 1973, during a ceremony featuring representatives from the Bedford Chamber, Bedford County Board of Supervisors, and the Mayor of what was then the City of Bedford.
At the 1978 Annual Dinner, Otis Lindamood, J.J. Morgan, Jr., and Onyx Bolling burnt the note to pay off the final building loan of the beloved office at 305 E. Main Street, where the Chamber has based its operations ever since.