Big Stone Gap combines a long theater tradition with insights into mining history and trails through Virginia’s mountain landscape. The Trail of the Lonesome Pine has been performed in Big Stone Gap since 1964 and is Virginia’s longest continuously running outdoor drama. The outdoor drama is based on the novel of the same name by John Fox, Jr.—a connection that also leads to the John Fox, Jr. House, where Fox wrote the novel. The house in Big Stone Gap is a Virginia Historic Landmark and serves as a museum and memorial to the Fox family.
Mining History and Regional Culture
At the Southwest Virginia Museum, the exhibits are housed in a mansion originally built in the 1880s by Rufus Ayers, a Virginia attorney general. The exhibits cover topics ranging from the arrival of the railroad and the development of mining to the lives of notable local residents. The Harry Meador Jr. Coal Museum focuses specifically on photographs, mining equipment, and tools. Its collection includes keepsakes from private homes and public buildings in Big Stone Gap and surrounding towns. Alongside the development of the railroad and industry, visitors can also explore objects and images from everyday life.
Big Stone Gap’s Historic District includes architecturally significant buildings and historic structures listed at the state or national level, all within easy walking distance of one another. The Barbara Polly Theatre in the Jerome Street Historic District offers another perspective on the area’s cultural scene: the auditorium has approximately 335 seats. The June Tolliver House & Folk Art Center is listed in the national and state registers of historic landmarks; the June Tolliver House also contains antiques dating back to around the turn of the century. The Lonesome Pine School and Heritage Center preserves the region’s history, with a focus on the schools of Wise County.
Views and Trails by the Water
Railroad history and scenery come together at the 101 Historic Traincar. It illustrates the typical construction of late-19th-century passenger cars and retains most of its original fittings, including restrooms, lighting fixtures, and the speedometer in the rear observation area. From there, the view extends over Bullitt Park and downtown to the surrounding mountain ranges. At the Powell Valley Scenic Overlook, the elevation changes by 2,000 feet (610 meters) over a distance of 0.8 miles. The overlook is accessible from the northbound lanes of U.S. Route 23.
For outdoor activity, the Greenbelt Trail offers nearly 3 miles for leisurely walking and cycling. It follows the Powell River and can be accessed at several points around Big Stone Gap, including from Bullitt Park. Nearby, the Roaring Branch Trail is an 8.8-mile out-and-back hike through old-growth forest to a viewpoint on High Butte overlooking the Powell River Valley. The routes differ in both length and terrain. Those interested in water activities can find kayaking opportunities on the Powell River and its tributaries, most of which are accessible on foot from downtown.
Fishing, kayaking, and hiking are listed as recreational activities at Big Cherry Lake. Check locally before your trip to confirm whether they are accessible.
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