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The
Lonesome Pine School & Heritage Center was conceived as
a place to preserve the history of our local schools.
In the mid 1980's Garnett Gilliam began collecting
photographs and other historical artifacts related to
Big Stone Gap area and sharing them with others.
Over time his collection was enlarged by donations from
teachers who had preserved school photographs and other
items from their past. As his collection grew
Garnett looked for a place to display them for the
public to see.
In 2002, rooms in the
June Tolliver House were provided
by Lonesome Pine Arts & Crafts Inc. and Garnett began
the process of arranging for the collected material to
be displayed.
As others became aware of his collection and offers of
additional items had to be refused, it became evident
additional space would be needed. A committee was
formed and James Maurice Fraley, an avid
supporter, began fundraising campaign to build a 'school
room' on Jerome Street in the heart of the Historical
District. His personal contributions and matching
contributions enabled the project to get off the ground.
About this time, George Dalton, a local photographer and
reporter added his support by contributing his
photograph collection to the proposed school and
historical museum.
In late 2006, the Lonesome Pine School and Heritage
Center Committee decided to move the project forward by
remodeling a house located across the street from the
Trail of the Lonesome Pine Outdoor Drama and
construction began in November of 2006.
Following extensive remodeling the center was opened on
May 26, 2007. Work continues to the present day to
catalogue and present photographs and other items of
interest. |
