Christiansburg Institute, 125 Arrowhead Trl, Ste F, Christiansburg, VA 24073, US

The Blue Ridge Institute and Museum (BRI) was established in 1973 to preserve, document, and perpetuate the 18th through mid-20th century folk culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia, as well as highlighting contemporary folk culture. It offers rotating gallery exhibits, a living history farmstead recreating regional life in 1800, the Blue Ridge Heritage Archives with items dating back to 1780, educational programs both on- and off-site, and public events -- the best known of which is the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival, which draws thousands of people every last Saturday of October. It is also a main venue on the Crooked Road -- Virginia's Heritage Music Trail -- and is Virginia's official State Center for Blue Ridge Folklore.Best and worst times to go to the Blue Ridge Institute and MuseumOn Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. between mid-May and mid-August, there are costumed historical interpreters at the Farmstead portraying men and women who would have lived on a Blue Ridge Mountain farm circa 1800, demonstrating farming, gardening, blacksmithing, and other farm occupations of the time. A best or worst time to go, depending on your perspective, is during the BRI's Blue Ridge Folklife Festival –- the ultimate event for enjoying southwest Virginia folk culture, although you'll be sharing the BRI, Farmstead, and the Ferrum College campus with as many as ten thousand people or more.Must see/do at the Blue Ridge Institute and MuseumMake certain to go when the historic interpreters are on the Farmstead, particularly if you have children with you -– they bring the Farmstead to life by doing hands-on demonstrations and eagerly answering questions. Kids also love seeing the farm animals that are always around the Farmstead. Any musical event is worth attending, and many of the performances come with no charge. If you can come in late October, the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival has enough events and vendors to keep you busy for a full day.Admission to the Blue Ridge Institute and MuseumAdmission to the gallery exhibits is free year-round. Admission to the Farmstead tops out at $5 for individual adults; students going on a reserved class tour pay less. Many of the events the Institute sponsors or participates in are free; others typically have no more than a $10 charge, sometimes less for children and seniors. There is no charge to visit the Blue Ridge Heritage Archive, but it is only open to the public by reservation on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Parking and Public Transportation to the Blue Ridge Institute and MuseumParking is free year-round. No public transportation is available in the area, so driving is required to reach the BRI. The BRI hugs both sides of Route 40 in Ferrum, Virginia, and is next to Ferrum College. Food at the Blue Ridge Institute and MuseumThere is no food available at the BRI except for various types of candy in the gift shop, though occasionally special events offer food. There are several local restaurants and one chain fast food restaurant within one mile. Prices range from inexpensive single items, breakfasts, and lunches to dinners up to around $20. The local restaurants feature reasonably-priced homemade desserts as well.Insider tip for visitors to the Blue Ridge Institute and MuseumThe farm animals are generally used to visitors. They are a big hit with kids (and many adults) because, while the Farmstead is by no means a petting zoo, the animals don't mind being watched at the very least, while some enjoy attention when they get it, and others actively seek it out.Author's bio: Danny Adams is a Virginia native, reference librarian assistant, and freelance author who has been blogging about and photographing southern and western Virginia for several years, and is preparing to publish a series of family saga historical novels about Virginia's Shenandoah Valley that will run from the mid-17th century to the present day. He can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/madwriter.

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