Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 24, 1993                   TAG: 9306240008
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KEN DAVIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

HISTORICAL BASH

Its contents are like a connection to the past: a piano from the 1850s, a camera from the 1870s, a loom from about 1800.

And every summer, the people who converted the home into a museum celebrate its historical significance with a big bash - and everyone is invited.

The fifth annual Heritage Day celebration will be Saturday on the grounds of the Montgomery Museum and Lewis Miller Regional Art Center, 300 Pepper St., Christiansburg.

Locally known as the Pepper House after one of its original owners, the museum is the home of hundreds of antiques and artwork from around Montgomery County and the New River Valley.

And just as the museum honors the history and artwork of the New River Valley area, Heritage Day honors the museum.

"It's a great chance for the public to view the museum and the artifacts," said Ann Bailey, chairwoman of the museum's board of directors.

Cheryl Leweke, director of the museum, said the first Heritage Day festival was held in 1989 - the year the museum officially opened to the public - for the purpose of bringing together the members of the museum's board of directors.

But the members soon decided they should not keep the celebration to themselves, she said, and Heritage Day was opened to the public.

Although Heritage Day festivities originally were held inside the museum, Bailey said the shindig soon grew into an outdoor affair.

"We outgrew that in a hurry," she said. "It has been a real success over the years."

This year, the celebration will begin at 1 p.m. It will include arts and crafts demonstrations, as well as live music by the husband and wife team Fresh Water, a Floyd County folk music duo.

Heritage Day organizers also hope to have on display two pieces of original sketches by Lewis Miller, the 19th-century folk artist who lived his last 20 years in Christiansburg and had strong ties to the community.

At 4 p.m., the celebration will conclude with a three-hour sit-down pork barbecue and fried chicken dinner.

Although there is no admission fee for the art and craft demonstrations and the museum tour, Bailey said tickets are being sold for the dinner. All proceeds from the dinner go toward maintenance of the museum, she said.

Bailey said Heritage Day organizers also are encouraging the public to attend the celebration in vintage clothing.

Tickets for the dinner are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Tickets are available from Scottie's Pharmacy, First National Bank, the Christiansburg-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, and at the door.