"Originated by Mrs. Janie Slemp Newman and developed by her brother, C. Bascom Slemp, as a neighborhood museum.  It contains books by local authors, portraits of citizens, implements, machines, furniture, household utensils, furnishings and costumes.  It presents a representative picture of the life of Southwestern Virginians of the past.  The collection of museum pieces was bequeathed to Virginia by will of C. Bascom Slemp and accepted the the State in 1946."

Photograph courtesy of Brian and Pam McKnight. (May 2004)

Brian D. McKnight
Department of History and Philosophy
The University of Virginia's College at Wise
Book Review Editor, H-Appalachia
 
Editorial Comment:  Brian and Pam McKnight have made many contributions to The Signs of History^® project.   Through their contributions, visitors to this project learn much about the history of eastern Kentucky, western Virginia and early America.
 
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