Click on the map to visit a county.

Using the Southwest Virginia Heritage Guide
 
From the upper James River west to the Cumberland Gap, Southwest Virginia is steeped in history and folklife. This Guide is published by Ferrum College's Blue Ridge Institute & Museum, The State Center for Blue Ridge Folklore, to help visitors better explore the regional heritage of the Virginia highlands. Both the tourist and the researcher will find listings here to meet their interests.

Please note: Small sites are often run by volunteers. Hours of operation
may not be consistent, and some sites are open only by appointment.
It is a good idea to call a site to confirm its hours before making a visit.

This guide contains three types of listings. Tourists will likely be most interested in the heritage-related sites such as museums, historic districts, and walking/driving tours. For researchers the guide includes courthouses, archives, libraries, and historical societies having resource collections (most often of a genealogical nature). General information about particular counties or cities can be obtained from the listed Chambers of Commerce and tourism organizations.

The information in the guide has been provided by the sites themselves or by regional organizations promoting tourism and commerce. Site information is updated annually for posting on this site. Please send suggestions for changes to bri@ferrum.edu or Heritage Brochure, Blue Ridge Institute & Museum, Ferrum College, P.O. Box 1000, Ferrum Virginia 24088.