The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is home to one of the region’s largest collections of artifacts detailing early life in the far southwestern corner of the Commonwealth. Exhibits explore the boom and bust of the coal industry, the turn of the century in Big Stone Gap, and local folk artists and their works. The park is also home to the annual Gathering in the Gap music festival held each year on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The park also features regular music events including their open mic Coffeehouse and popular Lunch on the Lawn series each summer.

The park is closed each year from January to March.