Each spring since 2012, PEC hosts a mountain heritage day in a different location and different county surrounding Shenandoah National Park to recognize the history and heritage of the families that once lived in and around the mountains.
In the past, there has been misrepresentation and a lot of inaccurate information about Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains culture; these events have tried to focus on providing an accurate interpretation of these family histories and honor them in a way that hasn’t been done before.
Each event is held in a historic building that has direct ties to the mountain community of that particular area. We invite local families to come out to share their histories, photographs, and other memorabilia and display it inside the historic building, giving them an opportunity to share their heritage with 250-300 or more visitors from around the state and beyond.
Shuttles are provided to take visitors back to nearby trailheads, where they are supplied with a brochure and map, to enjoy a self-guided tour of historic remnants of former mountain communities now located within Shenandoah National Park.
Past Events
- September 2018: Albemarle’s Mountain Heritage: An Open House at Mount Fair
- April 2017: Greene’s Mountain Heritage: An Open House at Cecil Mission
- April 2016: Madison’s Mountain Heritage: An Open House at Graves Chapel
- April 2015: Rappahannock’s Mountain Heritage: An Open House at the Thornton Gap Primitive Baptist Church
- April 2014: Albemarle’s Mountain Heritage: An Open House at the McAllister Cabin
- March 2013: Madison’s Mountain Heritage: An Open House at the Meadows Cabin
- May 2012: Lamb’s Hollow Hike at the Rosser Lamb Farmhouse in Greene County
Key Partners:
- Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
- Blue Ridge Heritage Project
- Rappahannock, Greene, and Madison County Historical Societies
- Shenandoah National Park