Here at the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park we use the months of January and February, when our museum is closed, to catch up on some needed work.

For the curatorial staff, that includes updating our collections inventory. 

We're excited for you to see our unique displays beginning in March

Our Collection

Did you know that the museum has a collection of more than 9,000 objects, 5,000 photos, and 2,000 documents? Only a small fraction of our holdings are on display at any time.

Of course one of the most important aspects of caring for a museum collection is knowing what you have and where it is, so conducting the inventory is an ongoing process. It’s also a great way to get to know more about the fascinating items the museum has, everything from fossils to early farm implements to Victorian clothing.

Every year we receive donations that add to our mission of preserving and interpreting the history of Southwest Virginia. Our acquisitions this year have ranged from a set of photos from a local man stationed in a MASH unit during the Korean War, to a collection of intricate miniature carvings created by a resident of Wise County, to an array of quilts dating from the early 20th century. Each new artifact has some connection to southwest Virginia.

Aunt Berilla Crazy Quilt

For example, a “crazy quilt” donated to us in August tells the story of Sarah Berilla Cocke Mann, born in 1844 in Scott County, Virginia. Known to many as “Aunt Berilla” because of her generous spirit, she made this quilt when she was 70 years old and it has been passed down in her family since then, until being donated to the museum by her great-niece Bernice Mann Junod, originally of Fort Blackmore, Virginia.

A crazy quilt consists of patches of differing sizes, materials, and colors, in no discernable pattern but with intricate embroidery throughout. As many quilters did, she “signed” her work with her initials (monogram style) and date (1914).  

The recent crazy quilt donation from the Mann family

Quilt Show

This and other 2017 quilts will be on display during our annual A Stitch in Time Quilt Show in April and May. 

Quilts are exhibited throughout the museum during the annual quilt show

John Fox Jr's Dessert Forks

Another 2017 donation was a set of 12 sterling silver dessert forks. These once belonged to John Fox Jr., author of “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine” and “The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come.” Fox lived in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, on and off from 1887 until his death in 1919. The forks were donated by the grandchildren of a good friend of John Fox Jr.’s sister, Minnie Fox, who gave them to her friend as a wedding gift.

One of a set of 12 beautiful dessert forks that belonged to author John Fox Jr.

We here at Southwest Virginia Museum are honored by the trust shown by people when they donate items and we take that responsibility very seriously. All artifacts are stored in a temperature and humidity-controlled building and housed in appropriate containers. Although we can’t put all donations on exhibit, we do feature a rotating exhibit each year on the second floor of the museum, and we place exhibits in area libraries. The park is also planning to begin sharing its collections on-line.

Plan a visit

Learn more about our very active Friends of the Museum group and their mission here. 

Southwest Virginia Museum State Park opens again to visitors beginning in March. For general information like directions, hours of operation and more to plan a visit to one of Virginia's most unique state parks, click here.

For upcoming events at this park, click here.