Wilderness Road Regional Museum

06/18/2026

From the presentation Gabe shared on Sunday at our museum.

Gabriel Neville presents on Southwest Virginia’s heroes in the Revo...

06/18/2026

Enjoy the attached segment from WSLS10's Patchwork 250 posts and then join us tomorrow at 6pm to learn more as Walt Bailey offers more history on the Cherokee War of 1776.

In Virginia, the Cherokee wars of 1776 saw battles between the Cherokee Native Americans and settlers in the region.

06/17/2026

You may have seen this story about our new history project to share river transportation, but we wanted to let you know this is not the vessel we use for our Claytor Lake "Hidden History" tours. Also no blood was actually shed and one point of additional clarification is that batteau traffic ended closer to the early 1900s but the ferry boat was in operation into the 40s at Ingles Ferry.

06/16/2026

We had a nice "Hidden History" boat tour last evening. The weather was perfect and crisp. Our next scheduled tour is Wed June 24th at 5:30. Please email to register [email protected]

06/16/2026

This year's Juneteenth quilt still needs to go in the frames to have many hands help us stitch it together during the event on Sunday. Last year's quilt will be raffled off with $5 chances during the celebration and then this year's will be the raffle item in 2027. You know we like traditions in Newbern. We are also bringing back Sankofa Bird Bingo to share the meaning of the Sankofa Bird and shall award folks with homemade cakes. For $10 chances you can claim a square. If the bird peeks your square you get a cake. We still need some volunteer bakers, if are willing to bake and donate a cake this we be greatly appreciated. Please email [email protected] to let us know.

06/15/2026

We had a wonderful presentation this evening by author Gabe Neville about the 8th Virginia Regiment and men during the American Revolution and the local connections to Southwest Virginia. Names like Crockett, Wysor, Knox, Floyd, Wyatt, and Via all have a connected story to the 8th and our region. Gabe offered an engaging and very educational talk and we are so grateful he was able to travel down from the DC area to share his extensive knowledge on the men of the 8th Virginia Regiment. Following the talk, the rain lifted and a vibrant rainbow framed Historic Newbern showcasing the treasure at the end and beginning of the rainbow. Also special Thank you to a member of our Pulaski County 250th Committee for hosting Gabe to their B&B at the Lake.

06/14/2026

The storms on Friday evening caused us to postpone the sold out Hidden History Boat tour. We are now offering it Monday at 5:30 and with the schedule change not all original registrants are able to join. If you are interested in going please let us know, [email protected] The forecast looks perfect tomorrow!

06/13/2026

Please join us tomorrow at 6pm to learn more about the men of the 8th Virginia Regiment during the American Revolution. Men from our area were part of this famous frontier regiment. The 8th is oftentimes referenced as the German Regiment but it was multicultural just like our frontier at the time. Many Scots-Irish were also a part of the regiment. Also representative of the frontier, this regiment used rifles versus muskets. Author Gabe Neville will discuss the regiment and his book "The Last Men Standing" which looks at the individual soldiers of that unit. Books will be available for purchase and signing tomorrow evening. In the attached map you will see that our area, Fincastle County at that time, supplied one company to the regiment under the command of Captain James Knox. We really hope to see you tomorrow, the talk will be at the Do-Better Cottage which is right next to the main museum, parking is available at the cottage and at the museum.

06/12/2026

We are on a quest for Patriotic quilts to share around the porch rails of the museum during our upcoming Juneteenth Celebration on June 21st. If you have any you are willing to share, please let us know. Additionally if there are any bakers out there that are willing to bake cakes to donate for our Sankofa Bird Bingo activity fundraiser that would be greatly appreciated too. Email [email protected]
The quilt in the photo is the one we started during last year's event and will be raffled off during this year's celebration.