Wythe County Historical Society

Wythe County Historical Society The Wythe County Historical Society works in accordance with the Town of Wytheville Dept. of Museums.

08/11/2026

We’re thrilled to spotlight the Town of Wytheville Museums as our August Showcase Partner! 🌟 These incredible museums preserve and celebrate the rich history, culture, and stories of Wytheville, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the past through engaging exhibits and educational programs.

📍 Stop by, explore, and support this amazing community treasure!

07/25/2026
07/21/2026

100 Mile Road Market Returns to Wythe County This Weekend

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – The annual 100 Mile "Take a Break from the Interstate" Road Market returns to Historic U.S. Route 21 this weekend, bringing thousands of bargain hunters, vendors and visitors through Wythe County. County officials are reminding both travelers and local residents to use extra caution while traveling U.S. 21 during the event.

Since 2014, the event—commonly known as the 100 Mile Yard Sale—has been held on the last full weekend in July through a partnership between tourism organizations in Virginia and North Carolina. The multistate market spans more than 100 miles along Historic U.S. Route 21, stretching from Wytheville, Virginia, to Harmony, North Carolina. This year's event will take place July 24-26, 2026.

"The Road Market continues to be a great opportunity for local residents, businesses and community organizations to welcome visitors to Wythe County," said Allyson Williams, Wythe County public information officer. "Whether you're shopping, selling or simply traveling through the area, we encourage everyone to plan ahead and make safety a priority."

Residents who would like to participate by hosting a yard sale or setting up as a vendor may do so at no cost. Many property owners along the route also offer vendor spaces for a nominal fee.

In recent years, the event has brought more than 15,000 vehicles through Wythe County over the three-day weekend. Motorists should expect increased traffic, frequent stops, and pedestrians crossing or walking near the roadway throughout the event.

"If you're traveling U.S. 21 this weekend, please slow down, stay alert and watch for pedestrians," Williams said. "A little extra patience goes a long way in helping everyone enjoy the weekend safely."

Motorists stopping to shop are reminded to pull completely off the roadway, avoid blocking traffic lanes or shoulders where possible, and carefully check for oncoming traffic before reentering the highway.

Visitors are also encouraged to explore Wythe County's local shops, restaurants, attractions, and events throughout the weekend.

One of the weekend's signature events is Rural Retreat Heritage Day, taking place Saturday, July 25, at the Dr. Pepper Stage, 210 E. Railroad Ave., in downtown Rural Retreat. The free event begins at 1 p.m. with children's activities and vendors, followed by a Conway Twitty tribute at 5 p.m., local favorite Deadman's Hand at 6:30 p.m., and country music hitmakers Diamond Rio at 8:15 p.m. Food vendors will be on site throughout the day.

For more information about the 100 Mile "Take a Break from the Interstate" Road Market, visit takeabreakfromtheinterstate.org or follow Take a Break from the Interstate on social media.

06/26/2026

Step back to the summer of 1950, when fear silenced the streets of Wytheville, Virginia. Told through powerful firsthand accounts and rare archival footage, this documentary reveals how one small town became the epicenter of one of America's worst polio outbreaks. Families barricaded their doors, ch...

Thank you, Cullen Reed, for the donation!!!
06/25/2026

Thank you, Cullen Reed, for the donation!!!

The Wythe County Historical Society is committed to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of Wythe County history, and seeks to educate the public through public programs and online and printed materials, as well as physical artifacts. The Society partners with...

Address

115 West Spiller Street
Wytheville, VA
24382

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+12762286061

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Wythe County Historical Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Wythe County Historical Society:

Shortcuts

Share