Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Virginia State Parks Website

Trail Quest

 

We had a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, blueberry waffle and apple. After breakfast, we left for Big Stone Gap Virginia and the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park.

 

What amazed the both of us at first glance was the ornate woodwork in the house. It is just unbelievable that this was all done by hand. 

 

This is the library and sitting room, with pictures of the owners of the home before it was turned over to the Commonwealth. I liked looking at the titles of the books in the book cases, says a lot about how our world has changed and how our "entertainment" has changed our values. 

 

This room was all about coal mining, and it was very interesting to read the plaques and look at the tools that were used in this profession. 

 

The wide entryway on the left actually has two solid oak pocket doors in the wall that can be used to close off the room. I could not resist testing one of the doors!! Replica of one of the train engines that hauled coal.

 

This is an actual block of coal. When we touched it, it felt like you were touching plastic and not rock. I was not expecting that and even asked the curator if it was a replica or actual coal. I did scratch the coal, and it came off under my nail. 

  

Currency at the coal mines. 

 

Lamps and lunch bucket.

  

Household appliances and transportation.

  

We really enjoyed looking through the Sear ad Roebuck catalog. We still remember doing this at Christmas time as kids.

  

School desk and clock.

 

Modern technology.

 

Sports in their day.

 

We read most of the letters on display and the family bible. This is a letter of resignation to President Calvin Coolidge from Mr. Slemp.

 

Some pottery and a very ornate sword that I would have loved to pick up and look at more closely.

 

More woodwork around the windows and a cedar chest.

 

Police weapons.

 

Some wood carvings that were on display.

 

More woodwork around the door and the stairs.

 

The outside of the museum.

 

There is an area outside that you can eat a lunch or snack if you want.

Notes

• The museum has heat and air, so you will be comfortable while you browse. 
• They have wooden benches on each floor for resting.
• There are 4 floors and each has something unique on them.
• There is a gift shop for the state park and a small consignment shop for local artisans.
• Plan to spend time in the town of Big Stone Gap before/after your visit to the museum, you will not regret it.
• There are plenty of local places to eat in town.
• County Kitchen
• Curklins (we ate here for our 37th anniversary meal)
• 404 Cafe and Creamery (we had ice cream here, wonderful place and everyone was suggesting we go there before we left town.)
• Be sure an hit the shops on Main Street.