Shared by Sharon Ewing, as Guest Blogger.

There is always something exciting going on every season at the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park, and this is what is happening right now: 

The site had the recent honor of hosting the cast and crew of Big Stone Gap, the movie, based from the bestselling novel of the same name, by Adriana Trigiani! 

Crews work filming the movie Big Stone Gap

Behind the scenes

If you remember from the novel, Ave Maria Mulligan, visits the museum for the annual garden club show AND…...well, you will just have to (re) read the book and see the movie...to find out how it turns out.  The entire film is filled with riotously funny and moving scenes. Adri's dream of filming the movie in Big Stone Gap finally came true!

As locals know, Adriana Trigiani-New York Times Best Selling  Author-is no stranger to this town.  Trigiani grew up in Big Stone Gap, near the museum, and attended the local high school, before attending St. Mary's College of Notre Dame. 

She began her career as a playwright and a television writer, before becoming a novelist. Trigiani's writing is highly influenced by her roots; most of her novels deal with her experiences growing up in a small town, family life, and her fabulous Italian heritage.  Trigiani values her family, community, friends, and treats each of her readers as individuals.

Park Manager Sharon Ewing and Ashley Judd

The staff and volunteers had fun meeting Ashley Judd, Patrick Wilson, Jenna Elfman, and others from the cast. We have also learned about movie making from the various crew members that we have worked with logistics for making a movie, remind us of our work in the park system!

You can follow the progression of the Movie BIG STONE GAP on Facebook. If you wish to visit Big Stone Gap Virginia, and Southwest Virginia Museum State Park, click here.