Overview

Founded in 1969 by John Rice Irwin, the Museum is a non-profit organization, and a Smithsonian Affiliate museum. This museum tells the story of a region which was settled by proud, hardworking people through the relics they made and used to survive. The museum contains over 250,000 pioneer relics including 30 log structures featuring cantilever barns, chapel, schoolhouse and cabins including Mark Twain Family cabin.

The Museum of Appalachia is a living history museum — a pioneer mountain farm-village that lends voice to the people of Southern Appalachia through the artifacts and stories they left behind. We offer self-guided tours, and are open every day of the week. We also have a gift shop and country cafe on site.