The Blue Ridge Institute & Museum’s gallery exhibits are self guided. Groups need not make reservations to tour the galleries. Reservations are required for group visits to the Blue Ridge Farm Museum.
Blue Ridge Farm Museum
For reserved groups, a variety of enriching tours and programs are available:
The 1800 Farm Life Tour
Explore the folk skills German and German-American settlers needed to create a successful farm and home life in the Blue Ridge “backcountry” at the turn of the nineteenth century.
Approximately 1.5 hours
The Jack Tales Tour
Combine the Farm Life Tour with a performance of Appalachian tales about the clever “Jack” of beanstalk fame.
Approximately 2.5 hours
The Cornbread Tour
Small Groups Only
Combine your Farm Life Tour with a hands-on session of butter churning and baking on the open hearth.
Approximately 2 hours
A Day on the Farm Tour
Small Groups Only
The ultimate 1800 experience! Dress in the museum’s period costumes and spend the day open-hearth cooking, animal driving, gardening, and more.
Approximately 4 hours
Homeschool Day Camps
Hands-on museum experiences specifically for homeschoolers.
Click here for more information.
BRIM Workshops
The menu changes from year to year, but we’ve done everything from herb lore to oxen training.
Click here for more information.
BRIM Speakers
Blue Ridge Institute & Museum staff members can entertain and inform your group with presentations on many aspects of regional history and folkways. Often complemented with audio-visual presentations, our most popular programs highlight folk music, folk and decorative arts, and moonshine heritage. These presentations normally run about one hour. Prices may vary.
Please contact us for more information.
Group Meals
Catered meals and/or refreshments can be provided at the Institute. Visitors may also enjoy lunch or dinner in the Ferrum College Dining Hall or at other nearby restaurants. For those bringing their own meals, a outdoor tables and chairs are available on the museum patio.
Please contact us for more information.
Special Events
The Blue Ridge Institute & Museum building and grounds are available to rent for private and special events. Please contact us for more information.