Historic Sites

Roanoke Public Libraries, Virginia Room

The Virginia Room holds the library’s special collection of historical and genealogical research resources. We comprehensively collect materials for the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia.The Virginia Room has the most extensive holdings for family history research in western Virginia, including thousands of family history books and files, county records and a growing collection of materials for African American Read more...

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Mabry Mill

Beautiful location that has been photographed and painted many times. Restored gristmill/sawmill/woodworking shop and blacksmith shop. Old time skills (basket weaving, seat caneing, spinning, and weaving) demonstrated. Read more...

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Jeff Matthews Memorial Museum

A visit to the Jeff Matthews Memorial Museum is a rewarding experience for adults, families and children of all ages. Among the treasures are the historic cabins dating back to 1834, Victorian fashions, over 10,000 Native American artifacts, a fascinating collection of African items, one of the largest Kodiak bears on display anywhere in the world, an extensive collection of Read more...

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Yates Tavern

Called the only building of its kind in Virginia by the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission, Yates Tavern is unique for its jetties, second-floor protrusions of some 10″ giving a bit more space in the upper floor. This little building, constructed in the mid-1700’s, was home to several generations of the Yates family, who also took out licenses to operate an Read more...

Prison Number 6

Six tobacco warehouses and factories were converted into prisons beginning in late 1863. Only one of these buildings remains: Prison No. 6. William T. Sutherlin owned the warehouse and arranged for the Confederacy to use the building to house Federal prisoners of war. The six facilities held just over 7,000 Union soldiers including black troops captured at the battle of Read more...

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John Fox, Jr. Museum

The museum was the home of John Fox, Jr., a famous mountain author of many novels and short stories. Most well known are “Trail of the Lonesome Pine” and “The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come”. “Trail of the Lonesome Pine” became the nation’s first million copy selling novel and was later made into a movie. An outdoor drama based on Read more...

Merrimac Coal Heritage Park

This park is a walking trail through a part of the old Merrimac Coal Mines. This mine was one of the oldest anthracite mine in Montgomery County. It was a government colliery for the Confederacy and takes it name for the famed ironclad the Merrimac, which was retooled and renamed the C.S.Virginia. Coal from this mine was used to power Read more...

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Martinsville Speedway Historic Marker

Are you a die-hard racing fan who wants to see it all? The Martinsville Speedway is a rich part of the heritage that is NASCAR. In 2007 the Martinsville Speedway celebrated its 60th anniversary having first opened in 1947. The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) first raced here in 1948. The speedway was a one of eight Read more...

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Boyd Tavern Foundation

The original Boyd Tavern was constructed in 1790.It consisted of a small one-story dwelling & tavern. Around 1816 the building was altered and expanded reflecting the nucleus of the present structure. By the 1820s, the building had evolved into a federal style.Following the civil war, the owners sought to give the tavern a different appearance. These changes are attributed to Read more...

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June Tolliver House & Folkart Center

Located adjacent to amphitheatre that stages the musical adaptation of John Fox Jr.’s novel, “Trail of the Lonesome Pine”, at the turn of the century, the house was owned by the Duff family who also owned a hotel across the street. Legend has it that Fox’s novel was based on actual people living in the town. Free tours of June Read more...

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Historic Town of Buchanan

Discover a place where Main Street meets the mountains, downtown Buchanan. Nestled within the steep slopes of the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains the Town’s Main Street straddles the James River. An important stopping point for travelers since the 1700’s, Buchanan offers scenic beauty and an historic setting. Explore more than 200 years of history as you walk our Main Street, paddle the James River, peddle the Read more...

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Carter Hydraulic Water Rams

The Carter Hydraulic Rams are remnant water system in Town of Hillsville. The rams date to around 1924 and represent an early water transport approach. They were listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 and are one of only two such resources listed in the United States. They are preserved in the Carter Pines Community Park owned Read more...

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Fayette Street Historic District

The Fayette Street Historic District awaits your discovery for local history. The district continues to represent the commercial and institutional center of the African-American community in Martinsville as one of its oldest neighborhoods. The 42-acre district includes 116 historically contributing buildings with architecture reflective of a number of styles: Late Victorian, Queen Anne; Late 19th & 20th century Revivals, Colonial Read more...

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Franklin County Courthouse

One of the most important buildings in Franklin County is the white-painted Beaux-arts Roman Revival Courthouse dominating “Uptown” Rocky Mount facing the southern end of Main Street (U.S. 220 South Business). The massive two-story Franklin County Courthouse with its wide three-bay portico was constructed in 1909 from plans of the well-known Roanoke architect H.H. Huggins. The current courthouse replaced the Read more...

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Abingdon Muster Grounds

In the summer of 1780, the Southern American colonies – and hopes of independence – seemed at the mercy of an invading British army. A militia was formed on the western frontier, known as the Overmountain Men. This brave group of some 400 volunteers came to the Abingdon Muster Grounds to begin their journey. Joined by other militia, 1,000 Overmountain Read more...

Historic Downtown State Street – An Official Main Street Community

History and tradition abound in Bristol, VA/TN, a truly unique twin-city. In 1881, both sides of Bristol designated the center of the city’s main thoroughfare, State Street, as the Tennessee/Virginia state line. Today, Bristol’s Historic Downtown District, also known as State Street, features specialty gift shops, art galleries, cafes, restaurants and antique shops, and a variety of theatre, street festivals, and live Read more...

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The Colonial Center for the Performing Arts

The Colonial Theatre has special place in the history of our community and in the lives of many of our residents. It has weathered many difficulties, including economic crises, as well as years of neglect at various times. The Colonial is one of the few remaining vaudeville theatres of its era in Virginia. Orginally built in 1925, it housed names Read more...

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King-Stuart House

The cabin was occupied from its beginning (circa 1795) through the 1960s. See the many visible indicators of the numerous transitional modernization periods the cabin has experienced. The original builders of the cabin probably never envisioned the cabins life expectancy nor the influence its occupants would have on the cultural developments. Enjoy the stories relating to the various families occupying Read more...

St. Michael’s Lutheran Church

This modern day church sits on the site of the original St. Michael which was established in the 1750’s and one of the earliest churches in the area. The old church burying ground is located in the church yard and contains several Confederate soldiers, one of which is David Scantlon who was possibly the oldest drummer boy in the Army Read more...

Tunstall-Hargrave

Just cattycorner from Town Hall is a lovely clapboard dwelling whose builder triggered the Courthouse Wars of 1807, described in the account of the present courthouse. He was Richard Johnson who gave the land where the Baptist Church now stands for a courthouse. This replaced the courthouse accommodations in Cherrystone Bottom. He was paid fifty cents for the transaction. At Read more...

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Halifax County Courthouse

The Halifax County Courthouse is listed in the Virginia Landmarks Register and occupies a site that has been used for court purposes since the Revolution. The Courthouse was built in 1838, houses records that go back to 1752, and is one of the Classical Revival court buildings erected by master designer and builder, Dabney Cosby and son, Dabney Minor Cosby. Read more...

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Historic Smithfield

Nestled along the Pagan River, Smithfield, Virginia is a quaint river-port town rich in Hams, History and Hospitality. Stepping on to Main Street in their Historic District is like stepping into a time long ago and sorely missed. A time when people acknowledged each other by name, when the ice cream parlor or country store was the center of every Read more...

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Ellenbrook Mansion

Ellenbrook, otherwise known as Number 4, is the historic home of William Alexander Stuart, founder of the Stuart Land & Cattle Company. Construction of the home was completed in 1858. Ellenbrook offers a mini museum, which displays artifacts, memorabilia, photos, and articles associated with the Stuart family. Special event hosting is also provided. Hours: Monday & Tuesday 10:00 AM – Read more...

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Danville Places In Time Story Map

Get ready to look back in time with Danville Places In Time Story Map! View the landscape from the eyes of a visitor from decades ago with photos from as early as 1954. In our walkable River District, use your phone to transport you back in time with this story map. So what are you waiting for? Click the link Read more...

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Buchanan Swinging Bridge

The Buchanan Swinging Bridge is 366 feet long, 57.5 feet tall, the only one of its type to cross the James River. Owned by VDOT, the Swinging Bridge is a Historic Landmark. Portions of the large stone piers were constructed in 1851 for the Buchanan Turnpike Company’s Toll Bridge. Toll for every person was five cents with an additional five cents for each horse, mule Read more...

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Fries VA – Where the New River Trail Begins

There are many exciting places to visit and outdoor activities in the towns of Fries, Galax, Hillsville, and the Grayson and Carroll County area. With all of the hiking, biking, trail riding, canoeing, and fishing possibilities, and the historic sites, art and craft shops, restaurants, and old -time music venues, you won’t be bored. After the day’s activities, relax at Read more...

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Rock Churches in Floyd County

Constructed of native stones from the Blue Ridge Mountains, the beautiful rock churches in Floyd are three of the six rock churches built in the first half of the 20th century under the leadership of Rev. Bob Childress. Made famous by the book The Man Who Moved a Mountain by Richard C. Davids (1970), these historic-but-active churches stand as living Read more...

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William Byrd’s 1728 Camp Historic Marker

Along the narrow grassy stretch of median between the four lanes of U.S. Route 220 within sight of the North Carolina border, travelers might get a quick glance of a historic marker.This marker commemorates a moment in Colonial History when this area was indeed on the frontier and it was a moment when the Virginia-North Carolina border was officially established.Prior Read more...

Radford’s Historic Main St.

A state-designated historic preservation area with unique shopping opportunities for the whole family. Read more...

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Southwest Virginia Museum State Park

Dedicated in 1948, the Southwest Virginia Museum in Big Stone Gap chronicles the exploration and development of the region. The museum houses a collection of items from the region. The collection was started by C. B. Slemp, who served in Congress from 1907 to 1923 and was President Coolidge’s personal secretary. A lovely Victorian parlor in the four-story mansion is Read more...

Veteran’s War Memorial

During your visit please be sure to check out the Veteran’s War Memorial. A visually striking memorial that provides a stirring tribute to those who have given so much so that we Americans can live free. Read more...

Settlers Museum of Southwest Virginia

A visit to The Settlers Museum of Southwest Virginia is like stepping one hundred years into the past. Visit this 67 acre open air museum and learn the story of the people who settled the area. View the Migration Story and map at our visitor’s center, visit the restored 19th-century living history farm complete with farmhouse and 8 original outbuildings, Read more...

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Bluemont Presbyterian Church

Established in 1919, Bluemont Presbyterian Church is located on the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. It is considered one of the historical “rock churches” in the area, as it was encased in stone in the 1950’s. Read more...

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Brg. Gen. William E. Grumble Jones State Marker

Marker located adjacent to Old Glade Presbyterian Church. Read more...

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Alexander Black House & Cultural Center

1750, Samuel Black purchased 600 acres of land in Drapers Meadow, but never inhabited the land. When Samuel died, his land was split between his two sons, William and John Black. In 1798, William Black set aside 38 acres of his land to establish the Town of Blacksburg. William Black eventually left Blacksburg for Ohio, but his descendants continued to inhabit Read more...

Danville National Cemetery

Danville’s only National Cemetery was created just after the Civil War in 1867. During the War, wagons carried the corpses of those who died in Danville’s military prisons to a cemetery about half a mile south of downtown, where they were interred in mass graves. After the War, the bodies were exhumed and buried beneath individual markers or sent to Read more...

Historic Sites

Historic Sites

Travel Tips

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Where to Eat

The Crooked Road