EXPERIENCE THE ONE & ONLY WYTHEVILLE
By Kathleen Walls
ON BIG BLEND RADIO: Travel writer and author Kathleen Walls shares her experiences in Wytheville, Virginia. Watch here in the YouTube player or download the episode on Podbean.
Wytheville, Virginia, is the only Wytheville in the world. It’s a hidden gem in Southwest Virginia that gets bypassed for more famous Virginia cities. For a small town, I visited a huge array of diverse attractions, ranging from the home of a woman who was once acting President of the United States to a safari where the animals run loose and you are enclosed in a bus.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
When I arrived in Wytheville, my first stop was the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum. This is where Edith Bolling Wilson, the only Appalachian-born First Lady and a direct descendant of Pocahontas, was born and grew up. Her paternal great-great-grandmother was Thomas Jefferson’s sister, and she was related to Martha Washington and Robert E. Lee. Many historians consider her the first female acting president when President Wilson was partially incapacitated by a stroke. When I visited, I met re-enactor, Betsy Ely, who was so realistic in her portrayal of the former first lady, that I felt I had gone back in time to the early 1900s.
The Wytheville Training School Cultural Center preserves the historic Wytheville Training School. The school was constructed in 1883 for African American children and was in operation until 1952. Inside there is an African American Heritage Museum. I met Patricia Austin, at the center. She lived what the center showcases as she was one of the first middle-school children to be bused to an integrated school after segregation ended.
Thomas J. Boyd Museum, named for Thomas Jefferson Boyd, the “Father of Wytheville,” focuses on local history and local crafts. It tells the story of the 1950 polio epidemic, called the “Summer Without Children.” Wytheville was the hardest hit American city per capita with polio in 1950.
The Haller-Gibboney Rock House commemorates Dr. John Haller, Wytheville’s first doctor.
Jackson/ Umberger Homestead Museum is a nine-acre, living history museum that takes you back to Wytheville’s earliest days.
GETTING OUTDOORS
The highest point on the Big Walker Mountain National Scenic Byway is Big Walker Lookout. It’s Virginia’s oldest privately owned scenic attraction, a 100-foot observation where, on a clear day, you can see five states. Heather Kime told me how her husband’s ancestor built the lookout.
Fort Chiswell Animal Park is an interactive zoo home to animals from six continents. You ride the Safari Bus and feed the animals from the bus windows. What a thrill when one bison pulled the feeding cup right out of my hand. You’ll enjoy the Petting Zoo section where you meet lots of other animals like Puff the Camel. He snatches everyone’s cups of food.
The 210-acre Beagle Ridge Herb Farm is Southwest Virginia’s leading lavender farm. Besides growing lavender and other herbs, I visited the Flying Flowers butterfly house, which shelters Monarchs and other butterflies.
Cobb Alpaca Farm has dozens of cute alpacas waiting for you to pet them.
PUBLIC ART
Wytheville has a lot of public art. My favorite is Edith Bolling Wilson’s Mural along both sides of Heritage Walk in Downtown Wytheville by artist Andrew Williams.
If you’re looking for a perfect selfie opportunity with Virginia’s iconic LOVEwork pieces: Beagle Ridge Herb Farm, Downtown Wytheville, and Big Walker Lookout each have one.
LODGING
Trinkle Mansion Bed & Breakfast was named in the top 10 B&Bs in the country in 2019 by Trip Advisor. It was my home away from home on this trip. It’s a 1912 Classical Revival mansion built for William Trinkle, a gentleman farmer. When they moved into their new home, Mrs. Trinkle hosted a housewarming party that lasted seven days. Patti and Bernie Pizinger, the current owner/innkeepers, made me feel so at home. They copy the lavish part concept. Patti served me three-course breakfasts at a fireside table set with crystal and silver both times I visited. Patti does all the cooking and is proud of her original recipes.
In case you prefer a different lodging, try the Bolling Wilson Hotel downtown or the Inn at Foster Falls at New River State Park.
If you want something unique, try the Wytheville KOA Holiday Campground even if you’re not an RVer, you can stay in one of their cabins ranging from a primitive log cabin to a deluxe cabin with all the modern conveniences or you can step back to pioneer days, and stay in one of their Conestoga wagons.
DINING
You’ve got countless choices in Wytheville for great food or drinks. I loved Log House 1776 Restaurant for both its 18th-century authentic atmosphere and its food. My favorite is the Orange Chicken consisting of chicken breast, wild rice, and Mandarin oranges, topped with almonds, wontons, and orange sauce. Christopher’s Lounge is their cozy bar area. While there, check out the back garden where you’ll find more than flowers. There are rabbits, goldfish, birds, and more. The gift shop is back there in a historic building.
J’s Pizza has great pizza in a 1960s diner style. I loved the red vinyl booths with shiny black tables and posters of Elvis on the walls.
Peaking Restaurant takes Chinese food to a new high. The bright red lanterns and the colorful décor are gorgeous.
Grayson Restaurant is one of my favorite breakfast spots for the fresh food and great prices.
Petals Wine Bar is the newest addition to Petals Florist and gift and bottle shop. It lets you enjoy a light lunch and a glass of fine wine. I loved their Avive Natural Peach Sparkling Wine with a sweet fruity taste, paired with a bowl of tomato basil soup and served with crunchy homemade bread.
Seven Sisters Brewery welcomes your kids and pets. You’ll find food to enjoy dining while you sample the craft brews.
As an animal-loving person, 7 Dogs Brew Pub really appealed to me. The owner is an animal rescuer, and the walls of the pub have pictures and tell the story of his seven dogs and one cat. There’s entertainment along with your brews and pub-style food.
West Wind Farm Vineyard & Winery is a small batch family winery where they grow their grapes on land that’s been in the family for more than a century.
Skeeter’s, located on Main Street, has some of the best hot dogs in the world.
Graze on Main is the historic Bolling Wilson Hotel main dining room where you find delicious Southern favorites.
Moon Dog Brick Oven is famous for pizza. Their wings are delicious too.
Kathleen Walls is publisher/writer for American Roads and Global Highways at https://www.americanroads.net/. A member of the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association, her articles and photographs have appeared in numerous magazines and online publications. She is also an author of numerous travel books, online travel guides, and fiction novels. Learn more about her books at https://katywalls.com/.
