Join PEC for a trip back in time to learn about the mountain culture of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. This event will include tours of the Graves Chapel building, family photo displays, memorabilia, oral histories and a historical overview of the Graves Mill area. Want to visit home sites of some of your ancestors or just interested in looking at the remains of homesteads in the Park? Graves Chapel is not far from some of the area’s best hiking trails, many of which pass by historic features that are partially hidden in the forest. With a little closer look, you can often see old home sites, rock walls, garden terraces, and cemeteries – particularly before the plants begin to bloom. PEC is in the process of securing shuttles to the nearby trailheads to access these sites. If you are interested, please contact Kristie Kendall below.

Members of the Graves, Aylor, Berry, Creel, Estes, Fitzhugh, Hawkins, Kendall, Kite, Knighting, Lillard, McDaniel, McMullen, Melone, Slaughter, Shotwell, Sims, Smith, and many other families will be present to discuss their memories of the mountain life in Madison. Archival materials, including early film footage of the area and historic maps, will also be on display.

The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Driving directions to the event parking area will be emailed prior to the event.