Crab Orchard Museum is located in Pisgah, about 4 miles west of the Town of Tazewell. The Pisgah area is also the location of a commercial greenhouse, the Higginbotham House and Museum, a farmer's livestock market, Pisgah United Methodist Church, historic buildings, and beautiful scenery.

Pisgah Area Events

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Project Area Development

PISGAH STORE MOVES ACROSS CLINCH RIVER

Tazewell, VA—After four years of planning, the Pisgah General Store was moved across the Clinch River on its way to a new location on property owned by Historic Crab Orchard Museum. “It looks like the Lord was willing, because the creek didn’t rise!” says Charlotte Whitted, Executive Director. “It turns out this drought was good for something.”

Built in the early 1900’s to serve as a general store and mercantile center for area residents and visitors from the railroad station, the Pisgah Store was donated to the museum by Rick Fisher, owner of Higginbotham House Museum, Board Member and long-time supporter. The relocation and restoration effort is being funded by a 2001 gift from Fisher’s aunt, Goldine Higginbotham.

The Pisgah Project Committee, chaired by Martha Hurst, has patiently guided the process to determine the best use of the building according to the museum’s mission. The Board has adopted a plan for the Village at Crab Apple Orchard, with the Pisgah Store as the key to the development concept. The sixteen acres across Highway 19-460 from the museum center and Pioneer Park will eventually feature the restored Pisgah Store, a Farm Heritage Center, a Native American Memorial site, and other buildings to help the museum extend its interpretation period into the 1900s, provide performance space and showcase space for local artisans and products.

“Our Pioneer Park buildings help us do a good job telling the story of life on the frontier in the 1800s,” continues Whitted, “but the Village will help us bring that story forward into the next century.” Once the Pisgah Store is placed on the site, a foundation will be built under it and the exterior restoration will begin. “We hope to have the outside in good shape before winter hits.”

The museum is considering leasing the store space to a restaurateur, who might offer food as an amenity to museum visitors. It will take new planning efforts on the committee’s part to determine how to upfit the space for modern conveniences, and yet retain the building’s historical value. “We are so encouraged by the successful move of the store building, we have new energy to bring to the project,” says Whitted.

The Village at Crab Apple Orchard is part of the museum’s initiatives to promote Tazewell as a tourist destination. Tourism has been identified by Governor Warner as one of the fastest growing economic development options for Southwest Virginia. “Moving this store 400 yards may sound like a small step, but every step forward makes our dot on the map a little bigger.”

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