Craig County was visited by the VA250 Mobile Museum last week on Thursday and Friday at Craig County schools’ campus. The Theme for the museum is “Out of Many, One” and its exhibits focus on Virginia’s role in the American Revolutionary War.
Craig County High School Principal Susan Stimeling remarked that “this is an amazing opportunity for our students. It’s an actual museum on wheels, and so many of our students don’t have the opportunity to go into museums due to our location. This opportunity allows our kids to actually go in and experience what normally many children in suburban and urban areas get access to at all times, and the benefits for our young people are immeasurable.”
The museum provides a “hands on” experience for students with interactive touch screen activities showing the battles of the American Revolution, reasons for the Revolution, major events during the period and the impact on slavery, the economy, and Native Americans. It recognizes the 11 tribes designated as Sovereign Nations within Virginia. It emphasizes the three main groups in the Colonies as the Patriots (American), the Loyalists (to Britain), and those who had no opinion, mostly the highlanders. The Museum also highlighted the Battle of Sullivan’s Island in South Carolina, a strategic battle in which The Intrepid Patriot, Captain Jacob Milligan, was a key figure. Pastor Gabrielson has written a book about Captain Milligan which is available at The Emporium.
The Declaration of Independence was highlighted, with a reminder that 2026 is the Semiquincentennial, or 250th , anniversary year of the signing of that most important document. On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, voted for independence from Britain and authorized the drafting of the Declaration to be written by the Committee of Five (Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston). They wrote the document and presented it for agreement during the late morning of July 4th. After signing that day, it was printed and presented to the public on July 5th 1776.
During the visit of the museum to the county, all the grades were able to access it, according to Principal Stimeling, as well as home school students and Kindling School students from our area. Students were excited to experience this museum, which provided audio and video experiences, interactive displays, and an actual hologram featuring an artist portraying Patrick Henry giving an excerpt of his famous “Give me Liberty, or give me Death” speech.
Two of these mobile museums were crafted by the Spevco, Inc. Custom Vehicles of Pfafftown, North Carolina. Funding for the project is from the state of Virginia through the VA250 Commission, as well as corporate sponsors such as Walmart, Food City and Estes Freight lines. They are now traveling the state to community events as well as schools.
Kellie Stevens, Principal of McCleary Elementary School, commented “It was so neat, even for the little ones. I was worried it might be a little bit above their head, but they really enjoyed it. Our teachers and the staff read to them, and they loved the interaction. Patrick Henry, (the hologram) brought total silence. They were so enthralled with him. They loved it. I know this has made a great impression on them.”
Locally, Sonny Spickard provided lodging at his nearby Country Cabins on the Creek for the museum staff, and Pinetop Restaurant and Mike’s Restaurant provided meals. These were enjoyed by Museum Specialist Erin Smith, and drivers Barry Stowe and Zach Srivilay, who also served as museum hosts. Their goal is to visit every middle school in the Commonwealth by the end of 2027.
The visit of the Museum to Craig County was arranged by the local Craig250 Commission who worked with School Superintendent Jason Wheeler and Va250 organizers in Richmond. Several volunteers worked as ushers to welcome the many visitors to the museum. These included DAR members Margaret Hines and Rhonda Bandy, Craig VFW members Walter Marsden and Donald Ramsey, Pastor Scott and Sherri Gabrielson from Craig County Historical Society, Barry and Karen Bradley, Richard Smith and Craig250 chairs Diane Givens and Tina Crawford. At the schools, student contact staff David Looney and Martin Campbell assisted with setup.
Television coverage for the event was provided locally by WDBJ-7.
The museum was open to the public Thursday afternoon. A total of 716 people visited the Mobile museum over the two day event.
-Scott Gabrielson
