Join the Montgomery Museum’s Sounds of Appalachia: Becky Buller Concert on October 24!

Many community members are unaware of the depth of artistic talent within their own region, as well as the rich history of Appalachian music and the contemporary artists who continue these traditions. The Museum addresses this gap through Appalachian music concerts that connect past and present musical experiences, creating historical ties through sound and lyric. These programs highlight both historical context and contemporary practice, demonstrating how the region’s artistic traditions have had national and international impact while continuing to inspire the next generation of artists and musicians.

Becky Buller is a 10-time IBMA award-winning fiddler, singer, songwriter, and Minnesota Music Hall of Famer. She has written for GRAMMY-winning albums by the Infamous Stringdusters, Travelin’ McCourys, and Molly Tuttle. Becky has released eight solo albums, including the Billboard Bluegrass and FAI chart-topping Jubilee (2024), featuring Aoife O’Donovan.

Tickets Prices: $25 advance / $30 Day-of,

$10 for Students

Presenting Sponsor: Smith Family Pastures

• David Reemsnyder

• Stateson Homes

• VCOM

• J.S. Brown and Debbie Day

• Snyder & Associates

• Mike Eggleston

• Friends of the Blue Ridge

• CAC Tech Services

• WDP & Associates

• Blacksburg Pharmacy

• Whitescarver Photography

• Bridge Kaldro

• Jody Booze-Daniels

• D. Bruce Roulstone

• The Branch Group, Inc.

• Bryan Katz

• Appalachian Studies Department at East Tennessee State University

• Ernie Wade

• Thomas Tillar

• Friends of St. Luke & Odd Fellows

• Sharon Chickering

• Louise & Minnis Ridenour

Join our special Author Book Signing & Meeting Event with Kathleen Wilson!

Wilson's debut novel, The Fabric of Wishful Thinking, is a richly researched portrait of 1910 rural Appalachia, written by an author with deep expertise in Appalachian history, craft, and culture.

Along with its compelling story, Wilson's book offers a rare look inside early Southern textile mill culture. The Fabric of Wishful Thinking is a powerful story about families and the fractures that result from divided loyalties.

Kathleen Wilson is an Honorary Fellow at Virginia Humanities, Charlottesville, Virginia. Her work in the field of Appalachian craft for more than three decades has been recognized in the publication of countless articles, four books, and the history of the Southern Industrial Educational Association, 1905-1926, a digital resource. 

She has given scores of public speeches and lectures at professional conferences and public meetings in the United States and abroad, seeking new opportunities to share Appalachian cultural traditions with a wide audience.

Come mimic Matisse at the Montgomery Museum with artists Ruth Lefko and David Ferrell!

Join us for Paint Night where YOU design your painting. This promises to be our most creative Paint Night yet! We will channel Matisse’s iconic style — expressive color, simplified forms, and flat decorative patterns. Bring your creativity and a few of your favorite brushes — we’ll provide the rest!

You will receive all materials needed, and both a canvas and a page of watercolor paper to create your masterpiece.

This paint night is $45 for Museum Members and $50 for non-Members. Seats are limited, so reserve yours soon!

Use the code MEMBER during checkout to receive your exclusive member discount.

On Thursday, September 17 from 5 - 7pm, the Montgomery Museum will be holding an opening reception for our two new exhibits: Dianne Gillis-Robinson's art exhibit and the Museum's "A Quick Bite of History" exhibit on diners and lunchcounters.

Free refreshments and food will be provided - and it'll be specially themed towards lunchcounters! Come have a fresh grilled cheese sandwich, chicken salad, and ice cream floats.

The reception will be located at the Montgomery Museum's location at 4 East Main Street, Christiansburg.

Join us on Saturday, August 15, from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. in downtown Christiansburg for Heritage Day 2026, hosted by the Montgomery Museum of Art & History. This annual community event is being reimagined with an expanded focus on Appalachian lifeways and food traditions, bringing even more energy, flavor, and hands-on experiences to the heart of town.

Whether you're preserving a treasured family recipe or baking your favorite homemade pie, we invite you to compete for cash prizes and celebrate the rich culinary heritage of our region!

Cash Prizes

First Place: $100
Second Place: $75
Third Place: $50

Competition Details

• Entry Fee: $15 per pie

• Accepted Pie Categories:

  • Fruit Pies

  • Cream Pies

  • Custard Pies

  • Meringue Pies

Basic Competition Rules

• All pies must be homemade and made from scratch.

• Store-bought pie crusts and commercially produced pies are not permitted.

• Only low-risk pies that comply with Virginia Cottage Food guidelines will be accepted.

• Pies requiring refrigeration, freezing, reheating, or temperature-controlled storage are not eligible.

Register Today!

Register online by using the form below, or call the Montgomery Museum of Art & History to register by phone.

We look forward to seeing your best homemade pie at Heritage Day 2026!

4 E. Main St,  along Main St, and at 300 Pepper St Christiansburg , VA

Join us for Heritage Day 2026 on Saturday, August 15, from 11:00am-4:00pm, in downtown Christiansburg! Hosted by the Montgomery Museum of Art & History, this annual community event is being reimagined with an expanded focus on Appalachian lifeways and food traditions, bringing even more energy, flavor, and hands-on experiences to the heart of town.

Throughout the day, Main Street, Roanoke Street, and our Pepper Street property will transform into a lively gathering space filled with local vendors, food, music, and activities for all ages. Browse over 40 vendors offering handmade crafts, artisan goods, and unique finds, and enjoy a wide variety of food options, including a pie competition bake-off and bake sale you won’t want to miss.

This year’s event builds on the traditions our community loves, with live music, family-friendly fun, and interactive experiences around every corner. Guests can enjoy expanded children’s activities, including carnival games, a hayride, and hands-on learning opportunities designed to engage and entertain.

Step into the stories of our region through art and history exhibits, including a special VA250 mobile museum experience and an accompanying VA250 exhibit that highlights Virginia’s role in the American Revolution. These engaging displays, along with themed demonstrations and interactive elements, bring history to life in meaningful and memorable ways.

Whether you’re a longtime history enthusiast or simply looking for a fun and meaningful way to spend the day, Heritage Day 2026 offers something for everyone. Join us as we celebrate our shared history, culture, and community in downtown Christiansburg.

Heritage Day Festival Music Performance Schedule

• 11:00 am - MJAM

• 12:00 pm- Kat Mills

• 1:00 pm- Ash Devine

• 2:00 pm- Ricky Cox & Willard Gayheart

• 3:00 pm- American Roots

This event is sponsored by:

• Floored LLC

• NRV Founders Chapter of BNI

• Southern States

• MOOG

• Burke & Herbert Bank

• The Roanoker

• Crow’s Nest

• Rice Realty

• Foresight Design

• Pizza Inn

• Jackson Financial, LLC

• Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech

• Kubota Beverage Tractor

• Glade Road Growing

• Electrical Supply Inc.

• First Banks

• Blue Ridge Heating & Air

• Darin Greear- Long & Foster Realty

• Hurt & Proffitt

• Home Depot

Do you know the history behind Independence Day - and that we are celebrating the wrong date for the holiday?

Join the Montgomery Museum for a special talk by Dr. Dan Thorp on why we should be celebrating July 2 instead of July 4! This event is held in collaboration with Historic Smithfield.

This talk will be held at the Montgomery Museum, located at 4 East Main Street, in Christiansburg, at 5:30pm. Snacks and refreshments will be available. Make sure not to miss it!

Join the Montgomery Museum to celebrate a full slate of events on June 24 from 4 - 6pm!

At 4pm, a ribbon-cutting held by the Chamber of Commerce will take place for our new ADA accessible lift - and then we celebrate our Montgomery County 250 exhibit, along with the following art exhibits: the Textile Artists of Virginia’s Balance, a theme show on migration, and the plein air artworks made as a part of ArtsNRV.

Additionally, the 24th is Giving Day! Our fundraising goal is $65,000 - and we need your help to reach it. Early giving is open now and Giving Day is from noon on June 24 - noon on the 25. You can give by using the button below.

Celebrate the end of Garden week by joining Erlene Barber from Gates Flowers to learn the art of flower arranging!

In this workshop:

• All materials are included

• You’ll learn how to arrange flowers, combine colors, and create a beautiful addition to all kinds of events!

Registration for this workshop is now closed.

Make sure your schedule is clear on Saturday, May 30th, so that you can attend the Montgomery Museum's ArtsNRV Market held at Eastern Divide Brewing Company! This event will be held from 12:00 - 8:00 pm.

Explore the ArtsNRV Market, featuring fine artists of all different mediums. Add to your collection, buy a gift, watch artist demonstrators, and enjoy delicious food and drinks! Demonstrations by Fire and Sky Pottery Studio and the Backyard Stonecarvers will be held at the event.

The Arts❤️NRV Market will be held on Saturday, May 30th at Eastern Divide Brewing Company located at 3175 Commerce St, Blacksburg, VA.

Artist Vendors Include:

• Pam Goff 5D Fine Art

• RomPots Pottery

• Classy Glass

• Vela’s Hand Crafted

• Aline de Souza

• Filamina Jewelry, LLC

• Salty Feet Art

• May We Fly

• Huckncrow

• Bradley Bennett

• Classic Murphy

• Holly Ridge by Christa Darshea

• The Stray Shop

• Savannah Penven

• Scallywag Letterpress

• Ashley’s Stitchcraft

• Ginger Mystic Jewelry

This event is sponsored by:

To celebrate the creativity of our Arts NRV Plein Air artists, we're holding a special Wet Paint Night reception! Held at Eastern Divide Brewing Company, this event is open to the public.

Join us to meet our Plein Air artists, to see their first day's work, which will be for sale, and to enjoy the atmosphere at Eastern Divide. Artworks will be of historic Montgomery County buildings and locations, in honor of Montgomery County's 250th anniversary.

After years of dedicated volunteer service at the Montgomery Museum Garden, join us in celebrating Beth Umberger on the occasion of her retirement!

Refreshments and light snacks will be provided.

Join the Montgomery Museum for the opening reception of A Stitch in Time quilt history exhibit, Faces, Places, and Machines, showcasing the work of husband-and-wife painters Sue Steele Thomas and Dr. Radford Thomas, and Sculpture by David Pearce on April 9 from 5 - 7 PM!

Meet the artists, explore this history of quilting traditions, and enjoy light snacks and refreshments.

Join the Montgomery Museum in the morning for a Tai Chi Gung class! Gentle physical movements of this practice promote balance, flexibility, and stress reduction.

Join local artist, photographer, and Tai Chi Gung practitioner, Jean Galloway as she leads you through warm-ups and standing exercises in the museum lobby.

$5 for Museum Members

$10 for non-members

18+ participants only. Wear comfortable clothing!

Join exhibiting artist Linda Hinson to create a personal shadow box shrine to commemorate something or someone important to you. In Mexican and South American cultures, small, decorated boxes called “Nichos” are commonly found in homes and public places, displayed on walls or pedestals. Often painted with bright colors, they provide a stage-like setting for an object or collection of objects that have great significance. Most commonly functioning as an altar for a religious icon, a Nicho can also serve as a memorial to a loved one or as a reminder of an important event

What purpose will your altar/shrine/nicho have?

• To memorialize someone, something, or some place.

• To honor a special day or idea.

• To help with a goal or some change you want to make.

• To center yourself or make you feel at peace.

• To honor a belief.

• As protection or to help you face a fear.

Base materials and a glass of wine will be provided with entry fee. Please also bring personal items for your shrine. Try to decide ahead of time what your shrine will honor. Then bring items and objects to represent that idea. For example: photos, trinkets, and notions like beads, junk jewelry, charms, or mementos like ticket stubs, magazine pictures, maps, newspaper articles, or poem/song lyrics. Maybe even small rocks or keys. Whatever you bring should hold meaning for you. 

The reception for Linda Hinson’s Beings and Jean Galloway’s Christmas Santas art exhibits will be on December 4 from 5 -7 PM, with beverages and light hor d'oeuvres served. Come meet the artist and view these stunning artworks!

Santa will be at the Montgomery Museum for Small Business Saturday! Bring your own camera and get a photo with him - professional photographer Charlie Whitescarver will be there to help you get the best shot!

Between 10am and 4pm, come visit our gift shop, which has books, artwork, artisan goods, home decor, and so much more! By supporting the museum's shop, you're also supporting the local community artists, authors, and artisans.

Experience traditional Appalachian musical heritage and tradition with the Montgomery Museum’s concert, performed at the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech!

With major award winning names like Appalachian Road Show, the Junior Sisk Band, and Jack Hinshelwood, this concert embraces the music of Southwest Virginia and the Appalachian region.

Generously Sponsored By:

Generously Sponsored By:

Mary Ann Hinshelwood

Thomas Tillar - Judie and David Reemsnyder - Dr. Steve Jacobs - Collier and Ridinger - Appalachian Studies Program, Virginia Tech

Sharon R. Chickering - Ernie Wade Vickie & Mike Eggleston - Bruce Roulstone - Sue Hansen - Ponnie's Boutique - Rebecca Riley - Louise & Minnis Ridenour - The Katz Family - Mark Cox & Judy Goins

Mary Biggs - Jody Booze-Daniels - Jean Galloway - Bob & Salle Ann Gill - Jean Haskell - David Livingston - Helen A. Lyman - Lee Musgrave - Mary Osgood - Travis & Marge Poole - Jeff and Andrea Robinson - Richard and Laurie Shepherd - Jim & Margaret Shuler - Lu Merritt

Did you know the Montgomery Museum made a board game?

This November, the Museum will host a board game night featuring our own game, Trekking Montgomery County at Iron Tree Brewing Co.! In addition to Trekking Montgomery, play a game of history trivia and enjoy a pint! Make sure to stop by on November 13th from 5 - 8 PM for a fun night that supports our local community.

This event is free and open to the public - we look forward to seeing you there!

The Montgomery Museum is proud to announce a new art show in collaboration with and hosted by English Meadows Senior Living Retreat. The show, which will run from November 1 to the end of January 2026, is intended to provide new and interesting artwork to the public, and in particular the English Meadows senior community. The Museum is honored for this opportunity to support our community and assist in enriching the lives of the tenants of English Meadows.

Made up of artworks created by Museum Members, this exhibit celebrates their talent and allows them a platform for the presentation of their art to the wider community. Through a partnership between the Montgomery Museum and English Meadows Senior Living Retreat in Blacksburg, the exhibit will be housed in the activity room and outside hallway at English Meadows, and will be freely available for viewing by the public and residents of English Meadows. The artwork displayed in this exhibit provides a new location for the display of local community creative culture, and offers an opportunity for artistic appreciation to the residents of English Meadows.

The opening reception for the exhibit will be held on November 6, 2025, from 5 - 7 PM and will offer light hors d'oeuvres and wine. The exhibit will showcase more than twenty pieces of artwork from a variety of local community artists. The artwork will encompass a wide range of styles and mediums, including oil paintings, photography, pastel paintings, and sculptural works.

The exhibition will be held at English Meadows Senior Living Retreat, 3400 S Point Dr, Blacksburg, VA 24060. To support community artists, the Montgomery Museum, and the English Meadows community stop by the opening reception on November 6, 2025, or at the exhibit anytime through January 2026.

It's not too early to start thinking about candy! Bring the kids (and adults!) by the Montgomery Museum on October 31 from 5 - 7 PM for candy and a free family photo opportunity with Whitescarver Photography, LLC!

Our exhibits will also be open - break up the sweet treats with some wonderful art and history.