Lonesome Pine School and Heritage Center
OPEN THURSDAY - SATURDAY / 1:00PM - 5:00PM / APRIL - OCTOBER
511 CLINTON AVE, BIG STONE GAP, VA 24219
276 - 523 - 1111
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This museum was conceived as a place to preserve the history of the Southwest Virginia area with focus on Wise County and other local schools. In 2002 the June Tolliver House provided Garnett Gilliam, a local teacher and historian, two rooms to display his collection of photographs, yearbooks and other artifacts. As others made donations to the collection it was soon evident that additional space was needed. A committee was formed and James Maurice Fraley, an ardent supporter, chaired a fund raising campaign to build a place to preserve our heritage. In September of 2006, the Lonesome Pine Arts and Crafts Association offered a house which was being used as storage for the Lonesome Pine Drama as a potential site for the expansion. Remodeling began and the center was opened in May of 2007. Over the ensuing years the collection has expanded significantly as a result of on going outreach, becoming a comprehensive collection of area historical resources. Local and former residents as well as tourists are among the recorded guests.