blue ridge institute

This event is put on each year on the last Saturday of October, 10:00 to 5:00. As festivals go, this is our all-time favorite. We go every year if the weather is decent. It is all about the flavor of Appalachian life as it was years ago and still is today. There are many old-timey crafts exhibited--actually being done on site--horse pulls, coon dog competitions, car show, and music like you won't have it. If you like bluegrass, old time string, and gospel there are three stages going nonstop. Food is provided by local church groups and organizations. It is only $10, $5 for seniors and you can't possibly see everything in one day...so you'll have to come back next year. Mark your calendar to check out www.blueridgefolklifefestival.com next fall and don't miss it if you are in the area.

This is a very small museum with only two little galleries and a farm. On the day we visited one of the galleries was closed. The one open was only poster boards talking about the history and famous families of blue grass music. On the tv was music and shows. It was a bit underwhelming. Unfortunately, the other gallery was closed when we were there. There was an old farm that we were allowed to explore. The buildings are not open to go into, but the animals were still outside in their pens and my 6 and 4-year olds had a good time looking at the animals. The gift shop, while small, did have some unique items in it and I thought was the best part of the museum. If you are near by, I would stop in. If not, it is a bit of a drive to get there and probably best to skip. I would have liked to have learned more about blue grass, the instruments, and the life.

Do not go out of your way for this. Well done, but small and not worth going out of the way.If you're in town: sure...stop by...maybe.If you want to read some small displays on the local music that sprung up years ago: they have put together beautiful summaries on the big-name families that got it going. But in the age of Internet, we wasted a lot of time driving to Ferrum for this small bit of info.

When the Blue Ridge Institute is open, it is well worth while for a visit. The staff do a great job showing what an early American working farm was like.

a stop on the "Crooked Trail", the BRI features old tools, instruments, quilts, and more. New shows keep the place interesting. Unique gift shop.

If you are looking for a folksy true-to-the-region museum, this is it. I have seen exhibits ranging from moonshine, Appalachian musical instruments, to rock and roll, to name a few. A great addition to the Crooked Road.

Like the live theatre on college grounds, and the yearly festival with antique autos, quilts and other hobby,s.Flat dancing, long horn steer,chickens,sheep etc..