ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, August 11, 1996 TAG: 9608090109
SECTION: DISCOVER ROANOKE VALLEY PAGE: 38 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON STAFF WRITER
Virginia's Explore Park is bigger and better, but it's soon going to cost a bit more to go.
The biggest new attraction, an Indian settlement, is at the end of a thickly wooded trail. Visitors should holler "yeow" or some other greeting, as Indians don't like strangers to sneak up on them.
Sit on a log beside the authentic work hut and wigwam. One of three interpreters - Daniel "Firehawk" Abbott, George Cobler and Dean Ferguson - will bring out handmade tools and tell stories of life hundreds of years ago along the Roanoke River.
"Tobacco was the first cash crop in the state of Virginia. It was an indigenous crop. It was called 'taybak,'" Ferguson said. Smoking is actually prohibited at Explore Park, but the American Indian interpreters smoke for demonstration purposes.
A dozen people, about half children, listened to his account of arrow-making. He passed around arrows made from arrowheads stuck on a reed. One man put down a very modern umbrella to inspect the crude tool.
Along another trail, it is possible to go forward in time to an era in which European frontier explorers dwelled in open-faced cabins. The inhabitant will fire his flintlock musket for you. The echo of the crack of the shot can be heard around the park.
The same trail completes the progression, as it leads to a permanent settlement with a house, barn with grunting pigs, vegetable gardens, one-room wooden schoolhouse with soapstone writing implements and blacksmith shop that manufactures nifty kitchen hooks you can buy. In these times, women made their own candles by dipping a length of wick in a pot of warm wax, allowing it to dry and then dipping it again. "It takes about 150 to 200 dips," said Kim Burnette, coordinator of the Blue Ridge Settlement.
The 1996 season runs through Oct. 28 and the park will reopen in April 5, 1997.
Between now and the 1998 season, don't be surprised if park officials post a sign reading, "Pardon Our Dust." Crews are building a road that will allow direct access between the park and Blue Ridge Parkway. The Roanoke River Parkway, as it will be called, is scheduled for completion in late summer 1997.
In addition, crews are reconstructing Brugh Tavern, a historic lodge moved from Botetourt County, which is scheduled to be done by middle of summer 1997. Mountain Union Church, also a historic structure which was brought into the park, has been restructured; the park is raising funds to finish the inside and open it as a nondenominational church, meeting place and display on Roanoke Valley religious history.
Construction zones are closed to the public, but it's possible to peek at the progress if you pay close attention to the map handed out at the ticket book.
Ticket prices are $4 for adults, $2.50 for children and $1.50 for kids in school groups. They will go up at the start of next season to $6 for adults, $3 for children and $2 for school kids. The park is open Friday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There are hiking trails, too, but most people stay on the well-worn paths leading to the exhibits There's a golf cart to shuttle folks who need a little extra help.
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: WAYNE DEEL STAFF Scott Sarver (left) and John La Rosaby CNBplay their parts in front of the new colonial planter exhibit at the
Explore Park.