The Blue Ridge Institute & Museum of Ferrum College is dedicated to the documentation, interpretation, and presentation of the folklife of Virginia and Middle Appalachia. As the Official State Center for Blue Ridge Folklore, the Blue Ridge Institute & Museum houses one of the largest collections of artifacts, recordings, and documents relating to the Blue Ridge Region.
General Collection
Our general collection is dedicated to items that represent the folklore and folklife of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. Our collection focuses on items that present the traditional crafts, music, customs, decorative arts, and beliefs of the region.
Blue Ridge Heritage Archives
The Blue Ridge Heritage Archives houses over 70,000 images, recordings, and documents related to the Blue Ridge, Appalachia, and Virginia. The archives are used by scholars, museums, teachers, students, and are open to anyone interested in regional folk culture.