Southwest Virginia Museum

American Holly

The American holly may be either male or female. The female produces berries in mid to late fall but there must be a male nearby to pollinate the flowers which produce these berries. This particular holly tree is male. Most people associate holly with Christmas and decorations created using holly. While most decorations today are store-bought, turn of the century decorations were fashioned from naturally growing evergreens. Holly was one of the most popular of these natural decorations.

Usage:

Cardinals

Several different species of birds can be seen frequenting this bird feeder on the museum grounds. Some of the more common birds seen include robins, blue jays, wrens and cardinals. The cardinal is the state bird of Virginia. The male is brilliant red with a crest and a black face. The female is light brown and less showy in appearance. The song of the cardinal is a rich purty-purty-purty-purty. Cardinals got their name from the red robes worn by Roman Catholic Cardinals. Watch for various birds throughout your walk. The museum grounds lie within a National Audubon Society Sanctuary, and the birds are protected.

Usage:

Carriage House

The Carriage House originally stored carriages and horses for the family and was built at or about the same time as the mansion. Later the Carriage House served as a residence for the museum curator. In 1981, the structure was declared unstable and was no longer used as a residence. The building was slated to be torn down until funds were made available to restore it. The house is now used to store museum artifacts not on display. These artifacts, however, are used for special exhibits.

Usage:

Eastern Hemlock

The Eastern Hemlock is a member of the pine family. The hemlock's cone (less than an inch long) distinguishes it from other evergreens. The bark of the hemlock was once a commercial source of tannin, used to produce leather. Tannin, a derivative of tannic acid, is used to darken materials. Another use of the hemlock was the production of a tea from the leafy twigs. This was a readily available source of teas for pioneers of the area. Today hemlocks are used for landscaping. It is both a native and a cultivated tree.

Usage:

Exterior Framework

The Southwest Virginia Museum was originally the private residence of Rufus Ayers, an attorney general of Virginia from 1886-1890. Construction of the mansion was completed in 1895. Craftsmen labored on the exterior of the building for a wage of seventeen and a half cents an hour. The exterior of the building is limestone and sandstone. The limestone is the lighter grayish stone, while the sandstone is much darker and brownish in color. Several features stand out as you observe the exterior walls. The cornerstones are marked with a lattice pattern, unlike the rough stones used elsewhere. You may also see evidence of a two story, red oak porch that once covered the exterior.

Usage:

Flowering Dogwood

Several flowering dogwood trees can be found growing on the museum grounds. The white flowering dogwood is a wild species native to this area. The pink flowering dogwood is a cultivated species used for landscaping. Both species bloom in early spring. The flowering dogwood is both the state flower and the state tree of Virginia. Early settlers used the twigs as toothbrushes. Dye was extracted from the bark. Native Americans believed bark from the dogwood, when crushed into a powder, would cure malaria.

Usage:

Iron Kettle

This cast iron pot was used for boiling seawater to obtain salt. The seawater was boiled off until only pure salt remained in the bottom of the pot. Cast in Europe before 1776, the pot was brought from France to the United States by the Van de Vanter family. After several relocations, the pot became the property of a family in nearby Jonesville, Va., nearly a century ago.

Usage:

Norway Spruce

The Norway spruce is an evergreen introduced from Europe. It is a widely cultivated tree and is grown for ornamental landscaping, as it is here on the museum grounds. The showy cones of the Norway spruce are the largest of all the spruces. A distinguishing feature of the Norway spruce is its drooping branches.

Usage:

Rhododendron

The rhododendron is an evergreen that can be found growing in moist, acidic soil. Rhododendron is cultivated for landscaping purposes here on the museum grounds, as it is throughout the area. Although commonly called Laurel, the rhododendron and the mountain laurel are actually different evergreens.

Usage:

Stones from the Public School

These stones were part of the three-building complex that served as the public school for Big Stone Gap for many years. The dated blocks were part of the main building, and the words Public School were written over the main entrance. The complex, which stood approximately one-half mile east of the museum on Wood Avenue, was torn down in the 1970s.

Usage:

Yellow Poplar

This tree is commonly called the 'tulip poplar' or 'tulip tree.' It gets these names from the shape of its leaves and flowers, which resemble tulips. The yellow poplar is the largest broad leaf tree in North America and is prominent in the southeastern United States. Although called a poplar, it is not a member of the poplar family. It is actually in the magnolia family.

Usage:

Poplar Hill Cottage

Poplar Hill Cottage is the perfect mountain getaway. The quaint, garden-themed cottage, located in historic Poplar Hill, is furnished with reproduction furniture. It has three bedrooms, two full baths, a kitchen and an ample living area. The cottage sleeps up to six people.Youll find tasteful furnishings as well as a microwave, refrigerator, oven, dishes, cooking utensils, silverware, kitchen towels and glassware. Towels and linens, including mattress covers, pillows, blankets, sheets and pillow cases, are also included. Theres no phone or cable TV, but most cell phones work here. A TV and DVD player are included.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Check-in: 3 P.M. Check-out: 10 A.M.
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:

Gift Shop

A small gift shop is located on the first floor of the museum where visitors may purchase souvenirs. Be sure to check out the collection of books for sale by famous local authors John Fox Jr. and Adriana Trigiani.Hours: Memorial Day-Labor Day: Monday-Thursday, 10 A.M.-4 P.M., Fri, 9 A.M..-4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. After Labor Day-December 31: Same as above, except closed Mondays. Also closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days and the months of January and February.

• Season/Hours: All Year/See Summary
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:

Meeting Facilities

In the basement of the museum there is a meeting room that may be reserved. This room is also used for various programming that the museum hosts. Groups wishing to reserve the meeting space should contact the park for more information.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:

Picnic Area

Picnicking is available on the lawn around the museum. On nice afternoons this makes a beautiful place to have a picnic lunch. Picnic tables are situated in the area behind the house. In the summer months, the museum hosts a "Lunch on the Lawn" program every Friday from noon to 1:00 PM. This free mid-day concert series features local musicians playing a variety of musical styles. Guests are welcome to bring a bag lunch or to purchase a box lunch from the museum. Please contact the museum at 276-523-1322 for a performance schedule and menu options.Hours: Memorial Day-Labor Day: Monday-Thursday, 10 A.M.-4 P.M., Fri, 9 A.M..-4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. After Labor Day-December 31: Same as above, except closed Mondays. Also closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days and the months of January and February.

• Season/Hours: All Year/See Summary
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location: