Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 4, 1993 TAG: 9308040103
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SALTVILLE LENGTH: Medium
The town of Saltville has agreed to donate a tract of 30 to 40 acres for the Museum of the Middle Appalachians if $2 million in cash and in-kind contributions is raised within five years, said Jerry McDonald, president of the Saltville Foundation.
The foundation on Monday announced its fund-raising campaign for the $15 million, three-story museum. No target date has been set for construction.
"This is the most exciting thing I've had in my district for a long time," said Jennings, who is a foundation member.
"There's been substantial enthusiasm for this already."
Visitors would begin touring the museum's 12 mainstream exhibits on the lower level, which would represent "a journey under the earth," McDonald said.
On the lower level, exhibits would focus on the geology of the central Appalachian region, the Ice Age, the archaeology of the region from 11,500 years ago through about 1,750 years ago, and a plant and animal community at the time of European contact, he said.
According to the plans, these exhibits would be around a small pond inhabited by plant and animal life.
Randy Odom, a Tennessee Valley Authority architect and planner, said water, which played an important role in Saltville's development, would be the common denominator used throughout the museum.
McDonald said the upper level would offer views of the late 19th century in Southwest Virginia, when industry was growing in the region and in the United States; a company town in the early 20th century; transportation and educational improvements during the 20th century; and the potential future of the region and "what could happen if certain kinds of decisions are made."
The foundation hopes the museum will play a strong educational role in the region, providing assistance to public and private schools and libraries, McDonald said.
Plans also call for an interpretive trail complex.
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.