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Museums

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Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum

  • address 2590 Richmond Street, Mt.Vernon, KY 4045637.3898006-84.3316079

The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened in 2002 with a vision to bring recognition to Kentuckians who have made a significant contribution to the music industry. With that vision in mind, a collection of artifacts and memorabilia highlighting the careers of the over 50 inductees fill the museum.  You can also learn the history of music dating back to the 1800s. A common misconception is that the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame focuses mainly on country and bluegrass-related artists. However, there are inductees from all genres of music, including The Backstreet Boys, Loretta Lynn, Florence Henderson, Rosemary Clooney, Keith Whitley, Boots Randolph, and so many more. The entrance to the building is unique to any other museum and is historical as it was once the site of the original riding stables of Renfro Valley founder John Lee Lair. That portion of the building now houses the visitor center and a must-see gift shop with new products and souvenirs. Most of the original structure of the stable is still intact and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Nearby is the historic Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, as well as Bittersweet Cabin Village & Gift Shop.

Laurel Cove Amphitheater

  • address 1046-1048 State Park Road, Pineville, Kentucky 4097736.743083.7069

Ever wondered what it would be like for a music festival to take place in the middle of the forest deep in the heart of Appalachia? Where you can relax beneath the canopy of old growth hemlock, with music floating through the mountain laurel and rhododendron? Wonder no more. Be sure to watch the Hippies and Cowboys Podcast and Facebook Page for that info about upcoming events and lineups. We are monitoring the COVID-19 landscape on a national, state, and local level daily, because having this festival can only happen if we do it safely. And stay tuned to our Laurel Cove Music Festival Facebook Page for more the most up-to-date info.

Marlinton Railroad Depot

  • address Marlinton, WV 24954, Marlinton, WV 2495438.2228316-80.0926295

Take a quick pit stop at the over 100-year-old Marlinton Railroad Depot. The Depot serves as Marlinton’s visitor center and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Mary Breckinridge’s Wendover

  • address 132 FNS Drive, Wendover, KY 4177537.1269687-83.3634742

Wendover is the Historic homeplace of Mary Breckinridge featuring breath taking beauty and a century of service to the mountains.

Performance & Event Venue

Landmark & Historical Place

Natural Tunnel State Park

  • address 1420 Natural Tunnel Parkway, Duffield, VA 2424436.70176319999999-82.74813639999999

Natural Tunnel State Park is a Virginia state park, centered on the Natural Tunnel, a massive naturally formed cave that is so large it is used as a railroad tunnel. It is located in the Appalachian Mountains near Duffield in Scott County, Virginia.

Putnam County

  • address 971 WV Rt 34, Hurricane, West Virginia 2552638.412147-82.0145589

Smack in the middle of Huntington and Charleston, Putnam County is located in the heart of the Metro Valley. Putnam County is the perfect place to experience art, culture, food and unexpected adventure. Putnam County is home to charming small towns full of unique shops featuring artisan-made goods, locally-owned restaurants, beautiful parks and outdoor attractions.

Stop by or head to: VisitPutnamWV.com to find the best places to go and things to in Putnam County.

 

Ralph Stanley Museum

  • address  249 Main Street, Clintwood, VA 2422837.1499303-82.4572898

The Ralph Stanley Museum & Traditional Mountain Music Center provides a truly unique, interactive experience. Visitors can see and hear traditional American mountain music in its original setting – the beautiful mountains of southwestern Virginia. You haven’t fully experienced Ralph Stanley’s music and traditional mountain music until you’ve journeyed into the heart of Appalachia and visited this iconic museum.

Rowan County Veterans Museum

  • address 205 East Main Street, Morehead, KY 4035138.184549-83.4336613

Rowan County Veterans Museum is dedicated to honoring our flag, our military, and our veterans. We are committed to educating our community and preserving the history and military artifacts of our veterans. The museum is a non-profit organization.

Rowan County Veterans Museum is an all volunteer, non-profit organization that is free to the public. The museum is located at the rear of Freedom Park on the old Rowan County Courthouse property in downtown Morehead, Kentucky. Our goal is honor our country, our flag, our military, and our veterans. We are committed to educating our community and preserving military artifacts and the history of our veterans.

Squatchy Adventures

  • address 1750 Clinch River Hwy, Duffield, VA 2424436.6819539-82.729772

Small Family Friendly Outfitter and Campground on the Clinch River. Tents to Full-Hook ups!! Tube & Kayak Rentals, Shuttle, Guided Raft Trips.

The Appalachian Center for the Arts

  • address 218 2nd Street, Pineville, KY 4150137.4800451-82.518626

The Appalachian Center for the Arts- or The App, for short – is a 200-seat, flexible space theater with a full-service scenic shop, an upstairs art gallery, and an outdoor plaza space. The App houses a professional theater company which annually produces 4 Mainstage productions, 2 professional Theater for Young Audience productions, 1 chautauqua-style historical monologue, 2 Academy at the App productions, 2 theater summer camps, and theater and visual arts classes throughout the year. In addition, The App presents national and regional leaders in music, comedy, and film. Also, The Gallery Upstairs hosts locally and nationally recognized artists and art installations year-round.

Three Forks Historical Center

  • address 500 HWY 11 North, Beattyville, KY 4131137.5760911-83.70559100000001

Located in the hills of Eastern Kentucky, where the Kentucky River is born, lies the little town of Beattyville, Kentucky. Beattyville has a small town feel, but there is much more to see and discover about this quaint community! The Three Forks Historical Center is a museum that tells about the history of Beattyville and Lee County. There are many exhibits and artifacts that tell about the people and life of this wonderful community!

Tour Butcher Holler

  • address 1 Butcher Hollow Road, Van Lear, KY 4126537.782547-82.709501

Tucked into the hills of Eastern Kentucky is Country Music’s hallowed ground, Butcher Holler, the home place of Loretta Lynn. Come and see Loretta Lynn’s humble beginnings, the place that shaped her into the Coal Miner’s Daughter and the sensation that captured America’s heart. A tour of Loretta Lynn’s Butcher Holler is just a short drive North of Pikeville, Kentucky.

US 23 Country Music Highway

  • address 100 Stave Branch Road , Staffordsville, KY 4125637.8266078-82.8373458

The U.S. 23 Country Music Highway Museum is a museum in Paintsville, Kentucky dedicated to the country music entertainers who were born or lived near U.S. Route 23 in eastern Kentucky.

West Virginia State Museum

  • address 1900 Kanawha Blvd E #435, Charleston, West Virginia 2530538.3377692-81.6141469
Charleston, WV

Take a journey through time as you trek from a pre-historic coal forest into early western settlement and present-day wonders. Following a chronological and interactive “show path,” special exhibits with sound and lighting illustrate pivotal moments in West Virginia’s cultural, industrial and natural history. The West Virginia State Museum is dedicated to inspiring, educating and enriching the lives of the public by instilling a deeper understanding and sense of pride through the collection, preservation and exhibition of diverse cultural and historic traditions, focusing on every aspect of West Virginia history, culture, art, paleontology, archaeology and geology from all geographic regions – representing the people, land and industries.

The West Virginia State Museum is a wonderful place to spend quality time with family and friends. It is free and open to the public. Walk-ins are welcome and school groups are encouraged to participate in our structured educational programming. The museum is a fascinating experience and a must see for everyone who lives and visits the great state of West Virginia.

In addition to the State Museum, the building is home to the Division of Culture and History administration offices, State Theater, State Archives and History library, West Virginia Commission on the Arts and the State Historic Preservation Office. At the Culture Center, the division offers a full year of events and exhibits. The Culture Center is located on the Capitol Complex grounds in Charleston, West Virginia. Exit 99 off Interstate 64/77 at Greenbrier Street.