Wise County Historical Society, Inc.

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CURRENT EXHIBITS

Museum Exhibits

Exhibits were collected for the museum since 1967 under the guidance of Mrs. Rosalie Gregg.  All exhibits were destroyed by fire in March 2023.  However, we retain a list below of previous exhibits that might be of interest to you. 
The outdoor exhibits, such as the farm equipment, jail cell and Woody Cabin are still intact and can be seen for free on the front yard of the Museum property.

Remaining Exhibits check_circle Old Wise County jail cell check_circle Old jail door and Artifacts While much was lost in the fire, much outside the building itself survived. We have also been able to recover a number of things from the rubble which we have been diligently working to preserve and restore. Exhibits arrow_right check_circle Restored Woody Cabin What Survived check_circle Antique farm equipment display check_circle Various recovered artifacts, books, and documents

First Floor highlight_off 1890s funeral coach highlight_off Fossil exhibits of the Museum The first floor had a wide range of exhibits, including a picture gallery and the research center. While most of the first floor was lost, almost all of the research center and family archives had been digitized prior to the fire. highlight_off Household furnishings What Was Lost highlight_off Family archive library and research/reading room highlight_off Picture Gallery highlight_off DBC exhibits highlight_off Mercantile display highlight_off Tool/machinery display

Second Floor highlight_off Dressing room area highlight_off Lost Battalion Room of the Museum The second floor housed the auditorium and the Lost Battalion Room. A number of artifacts from the Lost Battalion Room have been recovered and are being restored. What Was Lost highlight_off Auditorium

Third Floor highlight_off Sam Sampler military room highlight_off One room schoolhouse of the Museum The third floor of the museum had a number of rooms with a variety of exhibits. Some small objects have been recovered from third-floor displays, such as content from the sewing room. highlight_off General store display What Was Lost highlight_off Firefighting exhibit highlight_off Dairy equipment display highlight_off Train display highlight_off Courthouse display highlight_off Sewing room display

Farm Equipment

Old Wise County Jail Cell

Help us preserve local history. DONATE Members are the core of the Wise County Historical Society. For only $20 a year you can become a member and help us keep local history alive. You'll also receive our monthly newsletter, early notice of events, and other benefits! JOIN As a nonprofit organization, we primarily rely on donations from individuals and businesses. Any donation, large or small, is appreciated and will be used to help us preserve history and educate the community about our shared past. VOLUNTEER Our volunteers are what keep us going. We are always looking for people willing to help with a variety of tasks, including lawn care, office filing, staffing events, and many other things. If you would like to help out please reach out by clicking below. DONATE MEMBERSHIP VOLUNTEER We can't do it alone. With the tragic loss of the Wise County Heritage Museum building in 2023, we need your help more than ever. We continue to move forward and are working to restore the site to house important local artifacts and historical documents. Fortunately, there are many ways you can support us in this effort.