historic crab orchard museum

We visited in October and did the Corn Maze and Punkin Chunkin. It was a blast. The staff were friendly and hand-crafted gifts were available for purchase. We will be going back in the Spring :)

Visited with a home-school group who toured the museum and grounds by appointment. We were all pleasantly surprised by the historic exhibitions as well as the artifacts and fun-filled activities for the children. Our group walked through the corn maze with a very informative guide whose presentation was both personal and educational. The children participated in craft-making, face-painting, pumpkin-picking and everyone took a wagon ride pulled by a tractor. The guides were dressed in period costumes. It is an outstanding museum with much to see and learn of Appalachian history. We also learned that this museum was built on what once was an Indian Village and burial grounds; this was discovered when excavating began for the buildings. The cabins and old buildings on the grounds are authentic and very-well preserved. Especially enjoyable to see was the spring house with water running into the spring boxes. It is amazing to see how simply the pioneers of the area lived and to think they raised large families in such small cabins makes one realize how extravagantly most people live today. The location of this museum and park is a beautiful place with a stream running through the well-kept, green grassy area and little foot-bridges to cross, lots of shade trees, flowers and shrubs. There is a nice gift shop with plenty of items to choose from. There is also a restaurant on the grounds and the smells coming from inside made our group wish we had left our packed lunches at home. Nevertheless, we plan to visit again soon and hopefully we will try out the restaurant. I highly recommend visiting this park and museum. There is something for every age group there, the staff is friendly and helpful and it is educational as well as enjoyable.

The museum was very informative and was great for a family event. We were there during the 4th of July. Needs more than one vender for the annual event.

Visited the Crab Apple Museum and Pioneer Park in Tazewell, Virginia, and really enjoyed reading the history and looking over the artifacts. Highly recommend it for adults and kids.

Both the museum and the log cabin "village" made for an enjoyable afternoon.The museum has a broad array of artifacts ranging from the revolutionary war through the civil war with a local area emphasis: rifles/guns, clothing styles, letters, coins/money, tools, native indian artifacts and more. It would easy to spend several hours perusing the stories/details on display.I was surprised by the small prehistoric exhibit which included mammoth molars, a bone, and other fossels.The coal mining information was of particular interest to us due to my wife's grandfather was a miner.Many of the log cablns on the grounds have been relocated to this site and are "typical" to the period. The self guided tour would be a good "first time" exposure to a display of this nature. I would say it could be enhanced by having at least one artisen at work on a Saturday in June.The museum with its local emphasis is worth the time but if you want a "log cabin" experience then I would highly recommend the pioneer village in Spring Mill State Park at Mitchell, Indiana as a superior choice.

Here's one of those wonderful out-of-the-way places that lets you take a walk back in time and truly 'feel' American history come alive. You start out in the small museum which, for its size, has wonderful and authoritive displays of early pioneer life and the gun and rifle collections are nothing short of incredible. One of the nice features of this museum is the fact that the explanations accompanying displays are authoritive and worth reading. There's a nice gift shop area near the entrance that has books, cds, art objects, toys, jewelry, etc. The two ladies selling tickets certainly could have been more knowledgeable themselves - a lack of normal curiosity I suppose. But, now...you leave the indoor facility and begin your walk along pathways, each of which leads to an authentic pioneer building (many were moved from other locations in the state) each surrounded by lovely trees, garden, wagons, old farming tools, etc. There are no "character actors" in the buildings, but the written explanations tell what needs to be said. One of the most touching exhibits of all - a building once housing the medical office of a much-honored physician who devoted his life to taking care of poor and homeless boys, actually seeing them all the way thru college. The walls are lined with photos of the boys and their activities on the campus the doctor established for them. I would definitely recommend this "living" museum to all. It's nice to know that there are places like this, without all of the technology and slickness of our own time, but still able to offer a wonderful vision of Americana.

The person in the Museum , was rude , and it could be cleaned up a little on the outside . There was old plants that was dead, weeds that could be pulled up .

Since I live locally, my appreciation is very strong. We've traveled extensively and always take in museums. We've seen many throughout the world. Our Historic Crab Orchard Museum is one of the best. It never has to apologize for the lack of exhibits, presentation, nor quality of tours and tour guides, who are dressed in period costumes. (Tour guides by appointments.) It is an outstanding museum and authentic pioneer park, with each building having a interesting history. Visiting the Museum never becomes dull and boring as exhibits are changed on a regular schedule. It is the pride of Tazewell County.

They do this one week long day-camp in July called Pioneer Camp, my daughter went every year until she was too old, and now my son attends. This is just the coolest and "different" camp - plus they dress in period costume! Folks here are so friendly and just great with kids - love it!

Visited during a relly interesting quilt exhibit that was great, as was the entire museum inside and out. .

My children liked the storytelling, the old guns, and the historical aspects.

While the Historic Crab Orchard Museum isn't the Smithsonian, it is a lovely activity in the Tazewell area and surely worth the price. The museum consists of an indoor historic area that provides information about that particular area of Virginia. It could use a little updating but it is still interesting. Don't miss the little gift shop for some local crafts and gifts. The staff is extremely helpful and friendly. Outside, you will find well maintained building of the past with farming focus. The area provides shaded areas with places for rest and relaxing!