THE
HALLER - GIBBONEY ROCK HOUSE MUSEUM
205 E. Tazewell Street
Wytheville, VA 24382
The home of Wytheville's first
resident physician, the Haller-Gibboney Rock House has played
a significant role in Wytheville's history since its construction
in 1823. Dr. John Haller served his community as a country doctor,
county coroner, and delegate to the Virginia Legislature.
During the 140 years that the
Hallers and their descendants, the Gibboneys and Campbells lived
in the home, they responded to the needs of their community by
using their home as an infirmary and school during the Civil
War years and as a boarding house when Wytheville became a popular
summer resort. As a Registered Historical Landmark, the home
now serves as a museum containing over 1400 original artifacts
and period furnishings. The purpose of the Rock House Museum
is to preserve its collections, structure, and grounds in a manner
that promotes understanding and appreciation of family life in
Wytheville within the context of the events of the 19th and early
20th centuries.
- Learn
about Dr. John Haller
- Haller-Gibboney
Rock House Museum
Learn about Doctor John Haller
and others who provided early medical care to the people of what
is now Wythe County. Our newest exhibit consists of a self-guided
tour that features items belonging to Doctor John Haller, the
first resident physician in town and first owner of the Rock
House. Objects from other early medicinal practitioners of this
area are also highlighted. Additional sections of the exhibit
feature museum collections representing patent medicine, herbal
healing, Wytheville as a resort town, the Haller Family, women’s
roles, and domestic life. There is even an area for children
to test their knowledge of medicine in Wythe County and experience
grinding herbs in a mortar and pestle, just like a 1800s apothecary!
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The Haller-Gibboney Rock House is open year round. Hours are
Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and the 3rd Saturday of each
month from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Admission fees
One museum: $4.00 for adults
$2 for children
Both museums: $6.00 for adults
$3 for children.
Children 5 and under are free.
For further information
or to schedule a group tour, please contact us at (276) 223-3330,
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m.until 5:00 p.m.
or e-mail at: museum@wytheville.org
THE
THOMAS J. BOYD MUSEUM
295 Tazewell Street
Wytheville, VA 24382
Check out the newest exbihit
"Summer of Polio"
NOW OPEN!!!
WYTHEVILLE:
OUR HISTORY - OUR HERITAGE
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The planning and
design work for this project began in early 2002. The selected
topics include the early settlement of Wythe County, the development
of Wytheville, the Civil War, World War 1, Edith Bolling Wilson,
Wytheville as a tourism destination, and Wytheville as a polio
town. Objects and images were selected that appropriately illustrate
the themes. Most items came from the Museum's collections, but
some images came from the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace, the Library
of Virginia, the Museum of the Confederacy and Virginia Tech's
special collection. Fort Chiswell excavation pieces came from
the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. This is the first
time that these artifacts have been exhibited in Wythe County. |
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The purpose of the
Thomas J. Boyd Museum is to interpret the history of the people
of Wythe County, and to collect, preserve, and utilize artifacts
and other material of intrinsic historical significance relating
to their lives and experience. In addition to the above exhibits
you will also find information on the lead mining industry, the
first European settlers and Wythe County connections to famous
Americans. |
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Civil War Exhibit at the Thomas
J. Boyd Museum
A Civil War exhibit is located
in the Thomas J. Boyd Museum. The exhibit is grant funded and
was constructed by professional museum exhibit consultants. The
consultants are currently working with us to make the exhibit
more colorful and personalized to the town of Wytheville. We
will show our guests what it would have been like to be a Civil
War soldier here in Wythe County. Younger guests are already
participating in an activity of dressing up in reproduction Civil
War uniforms. We also plan to better showcase military figures
with Wytheville connections. The last commanders of the famous
Stonewall Brigade, General William Terry and General James Alexander
Walker, are pictured. The exhibit will also include information
on the Wythe Grays, General JEB Stuart and Colonel Robert Withers.
The Wytheville money and newspaper on display are copies from
the Museum Archives. Guests also see replicas of items a solder
would have carried and real Civil War items used by local citizens.
Another highlight is the original weathervane from the Wytheville
courthouse. The two remaining portions of the weathervane bear
the scars of Toland Raid on the town.
We are very happy to have this
exhibit showcasing an important part of Wythe County heritage!
Our long-term plan involves using the exhibit in the center of
the Thomas J. Boyd Museum, Wytheville Our History: Our Heritage,”
as on overview of this area’s intriguing past.
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We will “branch out”
with more detailed exhibits on certain historic themes. The Civil
War exhibit is one such extension of the main exhibit. A Polio
exhibit is planned for the area of the Thomas J. Boyd Museum
where the New Jersey Zinc Company artifacts are now located.
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The Thomas J. Boyd Museum
is open to the public year round.
Monday - Friday: 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. and the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. - 4
p.m.
Admissions
One museum: $4.00 for adults, $2 for children (6-12)
Two museums: $6.00 for adults, $3 for children (6-12)
Children 5 and under are free.
To schedule group tours
and for further information, please contact us at 276-223-3330
or e-mail museum@wytheville.org.
The Department of
Museums
Make a Difference - Volunteer
The museums' need for enthusiastic volunteers continues. Special
current needs include visitors services staff that will greet
visitors, answer questions, give out brochures and other literature
and lead visitors to the Rock House and Boyd Museums. Tour guides
are also needed with full training provided. Weekday and weekend
volunteers are vital to the operation of our local museums. From
teenagers to senior citizens, all ages can have the opportunity
to learn about local history while serving the community.
To become a volunteer or for more information, please contact
Marie Bishop, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at
(276) 223-3457 or by e-mail at marieb@wytheville.org
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