Guided Living History Tours
Crab Orchard Museum offers an enjoyable and educational experience for all ages. Our skilled and knowledgeable guides and interpreters are able to adapt to meet the needs of our visitors. The museum is open to anyone who wishes to learn more about the history of Southwest Virginia and Appalachia.
We welcome civic, church, youth, focused-interest groups, and more.
If you think your group would enjoy a trip to the museum, please don't hesitate to contact us.
We'll do everything we can to make your experience fun, informative, and memorable!
Admission
$10 per person
Minimum of 15 visitors required for guided group tours
Every tour includes a trip through the museum grounds, the Pioneer Park, and the Lucie Greever Gallery,
which explores the history of Southwest Virginia through the early 20th century.
Pioneer Living
Pioneer life was a combination of hard work and adventure! Early setters worked with hand tools and cooked over open fires. This tour provides a glimpse of the everyday life on the western frontier of Southwest Virginia. Demonstrations and activities may include bartering, butter and biscuit making, spinning and wool carding, pioneer laundry, pioneer games, hearth cooking, or dancing the Virginia Reel.
Native American Life
Explore the Woodland Indian period, when Native Americans inhabited the Pisgah site in Tazewell County. Discover the various customs and traditions of Native Americans, including how they made fire, arrowheads, wigwams, tools, and clothing. Hear a Native American story, participate in a Native American game, and enjoy the hands-on activities in the life size replica of a wigwam.
Pioneer Christmas (Available in December Only)
In the mid 1800s, Christmas was a time for family and friends, feasting, music, decorating with greenery, and dancing. In this tour, visitors gather around the kitchen fire to hear a Christmas story and sample cookies, make a craft, dance the Virginia Reel, and sing carols to prepare for the holiday in pioneer fashion.
For information about Corn Maze Tours (offered during the Fall) please click here.
One-Day-Only Tours
These special, single day tours offer a more in-depth look at the topics and themes presented in our regularly offered guided tours. With an emphasis on participation, visitors enjoy an active learning experience and gain valuable insight into the history and stories of our region.
Civil War Living History Day – CANCELED in 2021
Smell the powder and see the smoke as uniformed re-enactors demonstrate the life of a soldier. Visitors will be given an opportunity for an interactive learning experience as they participate in military drill practices, hear about weapons, uniforms, flags, life on the home front, and soldiers’ camp and battlefield life. Costumed demonstrators will present cavalry maneuvers and re-enact a battlefield skirmish.
Life on the Frontier Living History Day – CANCELED in 2021
Re-enactors will portray the fur trade and trapping era that opened up the American West. Visitors experience first hand how our pioneer and Native American ancestors lived as they participate in hand-on skills such as shooting a bow, black powder demonstrations, rolling cartridges, singing songs, churning butter, hide tanning, fire making, games, wood work, and cooking over an open fire.
To schedule a tour, or for more information, please fill out our tour request form,
contact Laura Mallory, Education Director, at 276-988-6755, or email lmallory@craborchardmuseum.com.
Please note that all tour requests must be approved by Museum staff. We will contact you to confirm your tour.