Travel to Walton's Mountain Museum in Schuyler, Virginia
Revisit the Lives of the Walton Family
If this brings back good memories, you're probably a fan of "The Waltons," a television program that aired on CBS from 1972 to 1981. The TV series, created by Earl Hamner, Jr., was based on Hamner's book, Spencer's Mountain, which was made into a movie by the same name in 1963, and starred Henry Fonda and Maureen O'Hara.
If you're a really big fan of the TV series, you should think about visiting the Walton's Mountain Museum nestled in the Piedmont Region Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Schuyler, Virginia. The museum opened in 1992, and pays homage to the show and to Hamner, who grew up in Schuyler.
Visitors will see replicas of John-Boy's bedroom, complete with a "Big Chief" writing tablet and eyeglasses on a desk by the window, the kitchen, which shows off the stove, and the long table and benches where the Waltons ate their meals, and the living room, which features a fireplace and radio. Ike Godsey's store boasts antiquities, such as an old crank telephone, a weight scale and a coffee grinder.
It's ok to take photographs, although visitors must remain behind a roped-off area to view the exhibits. Also in the museum are photographs, memorabilia, and Recipe Machine and Scripts rooms. A souvenir shop sells gifts, DVDs, crafts made by locals, and books.
Schuyler is a small town, with a population of less than 2000, although it once was home to 7000 residents and its soapstone plant employed 1300. The plant has a smaller workforce today, but still manufactures kitchen and bathroom countertops.
The museum is a bit off the beaten path, but it's worth the time it takes to get there. Lodging includes Walton's Mountain B&B and Country Store and The White Pig B&B, a haven for vegans. The Village Inn Hotel is just across the street from the Waltons Mountain Museum, and there are other places to stay in neighboring towns and communities.
The museum opens for the 2011 season March 5 and runs through December 5. During the season, the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. Admission is $7 for ages six to adult and free for children five and under. Groups of 20 or more are $6 each.
Walton's Mountain Museum
6484 Rockfish Road
Schuyler, VA 2296
Sources:
www.waltonmusuem.org
Published by Karan Moses Robinson
Karan Robinson writes an op-ed column twice a month for the Enquirer-Herald, a community newspaper of York & Clover. She has written for The Charlotte Observer, American Profile magazine, Easy Street magazin... View profile
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1 Comments
Post a CommentI used to love watching re-runs of The Waltons as a child! I hadn't heard of Walton's Mountain Museum. Thanks for the information.
Sophie