Nine acres of the homestead are dedicated to a rural way of life spanning the late 18th century through the mid-20th century. The interpretive grounds explore this broad historical period. Living history demonstrations complement the presentation. A special focus is the Foodways program: cooking demonstrations over an open fire and in a clay oven highlight historical food culture.
Wytheville’s History from Multiple Perspectives
The Haller-Gibboney Rock House illustrates a specific part of architectural history: the house was built from local limestone in 1823. The history of the museum itself is a separate story: it opened in 1972 as Wytheville’s first history museum. The building and the museum therefore mark different points in time.
African American education also has a place in Wythe County’s history. The Wytheville Training School was originally built in 1883 for African American children and remained in operation until 1952. The African American Heritage Museum displays photographs, accounts and mementos documenting the history of African American education in the county. By contrast, the Thomas J. Boyd Museum focuses on exhibits about mining and military history.
A museum in Wytheville is dedicated to a historic road once traveled by people passing through town between the Great Lakes and Florida. A monument in Wythe County also commemorates the fact that Stephen F. Austin was born there in 1793. The meticulously restored Millwald Theatre is also part of Wytheville’s history.
Mountain Landscapes, Trails and Views
The Crystal Springs Recreation Area encompasses more than 1,800 acres of mountain terrain. Its trail network winds through forests and meadows and over mountain ridges; there are also miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. This brings together a variety of landscapes, without requiring you to commit to a single way of exploring.
If you prefer to take in the view, Big Walker Lookout has a 100-foot observation tower overlooking the surrounding mountains. For paddling, Wythe County has public access points along the Reed Creek Blueway. The observation tower and paddling access points thus offer two distinctly different perspectives on the landscape.
Farms, Animals and Waterside Recreation
Beagle Ridge Herb Farm in Wythe County features fields of lavender; visitors can also explore the butterfly house on foot. At Fort Chiswell Animal Park, the emphasis is on up-close encounters with animals from around the world. A safari bus ride through the park adds to the experience.
Rural Retreat Lake covers approximately 90 acres. Shore fishing is available, and the lake also has a seasonal swimming pool. If you plan to swim, the pool’s seasonal availability is an important detail to consider. The activities at the lake are therefore quite different from the mountain trails or the historic attractions in Wytheville.
For travel planning: Wytheville is located at the intersection of Interstates 77 and 81. Within the county, you can choose activities based on your interests: historic houses and museums offer a different focus than hiking and mountain biking trails, paddling or animal encounters.
Discover more destinations: Wytheville, Max Meadows, Mathews County, Alleghany County, Stafford, Alexandria, King William County, Nottoway County.
For the broader travel overview: Virginia.
