Friends of the Southwest Virginia Museum

05/31/2026

🎶 Lunch on the Lawn is Back! 🌿

Join us at the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park on Friday, June 19, from 12–1 p.m. as we kick off our summer music series with local singer‑songwriter Evan O’Quinn!

Evan, a Big Stone Gap native and Berklee School of Music graduate, brings an amazing blend of original songs and covers ranging from contemporary jazz to Appalachian favorites. You may have seen him on stage as Johnny Cash in Million Dollar Quartet or portraying Jack Hale in the outdoor drama Trail of the Lonesome Pine. He currently teaches guitar at Junior Appalachian Music School and performs with the local group Das Novas.

Bring the whole family—park staff and volunteers will have crafts and activities for kids during the show.

Pack your lunch, relax in the beautiful Victorian Garden, and enjoy an afternoon of home‑grown music on the museum lawn.

🎟️ Free and open to the public

📞 For more information, call 276‑523‑9640

Come spend your Friday lunch hour with us! 🌞🎵

05/31/2026

🌳 National Get Outdoors Day Hike

📍 Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park • Big Stone Gap, VA

📅 Saturday, June 13 • 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Join us as we celebrate National Get Outdoors Day with a relaxed, scenic hike along the Powell River Greenbelt! Hosted by our friendly park rangers and volunteers, this is the perfect chance to step outside, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature.

As part of our Birding in the Gap series, we’ll take time to slow down and appreciate the vibrant birdlife that calls Big Stone Gap home. This easy, accessible walk is great for all ages and experience levels.

✔️ No registration required

✔️ Rain or shine

✔️ Dress for the weather and wear sturdy walking shoes

Meet us at the museum’s front gate and get ready to explore the beauty of the outdoors!

For more information, call the park at 276‑523‑9640.

We look forward to seeing you! 🌿🐦

05/30/2026

🌲✨ Junior Ranger Camp Returns to Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park! ✨🌲

Get ready for adventure, learning, and tons of fun! The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is excited to host its 5th annual Junior Ranger Camp from Monday, June 22 to Friday, June 26, with sessions each day from 9 a.m. to noon.

Open to children ages 6–12, this week-long camp invites young explorers to dive into the history, wildlife, and natural wonders of our region.

🎒 Camp Highlights Include:
• Journeying back to the 18th century frontier to learn how early settlers lived
• Creating traditional crafts and playing colonial-era games
• A special snake education session featuring Popcorn, our friendly nonvenomous snake 🐍
• A hands-on pollinator program with each camper making their own watering station
• Exploring local wildlife, geology, and aquatic life from the Powell River
• A fun-filled scavenger hunt, games, and trivia to wrap up the week!

For outdoor safety, we recommend campers wear hats and use sunblock and bug spray.

💵 Cost: $35 per child (includes a Junior Ranger hat, badge, and nature journal). Snacks provided daily.

📅 Registration deadline: Friday, June 19. Space is limited!

🎓 Families are invited to join us at noon on the final day for a graduation and awards ceremony with light refreshments.

📞 To register or learn more, call the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park at 276-523-9640.

We can’t wait to explore, learn, and adventure with your Junior Rangers! 🌟

05/29/2026

05/28/2026

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park invites you to join its Birding in the Gap series, held on the second Saturday of February, April, June, and November in 2026.

The next program will be on Saturday, June 13, from 9–11 a.m., hosted by our knowledgeable park rangers and dedicated volunteers.

Participants will meet at the museum’s front gate before exploring the scenic grounds and the beautiful Greenbelt Walking Trail along the Powell River. Each session highlights a unique birding topic, making this easy, accessible walk a perfect way to enjoy nature and learn more about the fascinating world of birds.

The program will be held rain or shine, so please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Binoculars are encouraged but not required.

No registration needed!

For more information, call the park at (276) 523-9640.

Come join us and experience the beauty of birding in Big Stone Gap! 🐦🌿

05/28/2026

🌿✨ New Exhibit Opening June 1! ✨🌿

For generations, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and Virginia State Parks have worked to protect the Commonwealth’s natural, cultural, and historic treasures. Starting Monday, June 1, visitors to Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park can explore that legacy through a special exhibit:
“A Century of Care: A Legacy of Conservation and Recreation.”

This exhibit celebrates 100 years of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and 90 years of Virginia State Parks, highlighting the growth and impact of conservation efforts across Virginia. From its beginnings in 1926 as the Virginia Conservation and Development Commission, the agency has built a century-long foundation of stewardship dedicated to preserving Virginia’s landscapes, waterways, and historic sites.

History and Culture Day – Saturday, June 13 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Park staff will offer special interpretive programs, and a ranger will be available throughout the day to share stories and answer questions about the origins of conservation in Virginia and the development of our award-winning state park system.

Exhibit Dates:
On display throughout the month of June

🎟 Admission: Adults $5 Children (6–12) $3 Children under 6: Free

No registration required.

For more information, please contact the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park at 276-523-9640.

Come celebrate a century of conservation and discover the people, places, and stories that shaped the Commonwealth! 🌄📜🌳

05/24/2026

🌿 Fungal Identification Program at the Southwest Virginia Museum! 🍄

Join us on Tuesday, June 9, from 6–8 p.m. in the museum’s beautiful Victorian Parlor for a fascinating evening all about fungi!

We’re excited to welcome Adam Boring, local Master Naturalist and amateur mycologist, who will guide us through the mysterious “Wood Wide Web.”

Learn about the incredible diversity of mushrooms in Southwest Virginia—from dangerous look-alikes to delicious edibles, rare species, and hidden gems of the forest floor.

Adam will share tips for identifying mushrooms, explain how fungi interact with our local ecosystems, clear up common myths, and highlight what you can expect to find in our region. The program includes a PowerPoint presentation, hands‑on examples, visual aids, and great resources for continued learning.

✨ No registration required—just come and enjoy!

📞 For more information, call the park at (276) 523‑9640.

05/24/2026

🌿 National Trails Day: Floral & Fauna Hike

Join the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. for a guided 3‑mile scenic hike along the Powell River. Meet at the museum’s front gate and enjoy wildflowers, wildlife, and riverside views on this easy, paved loop.

Free • No registration required • Rain or shine.

For more information, please call the park at 276-523-9640.