The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
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Monday, February 8, 2010
By MORRIS STEPHENSON - Staff Writer
The National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) has placed The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail on the 2010 list of "America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations."
A special ceremony to mark the occasion was held Wednesday at the Floyd Country Store, one if the Crooked Road's major venues.
James A. Baldwin, president of TCR board of directors, accepted a plaque from Robert Nieweg, director of the southern field office of the NTHP.
The Crooked Road was selected for blending eco-tourism and small town charm with the Appalachian region's musical heritage, providing visitors with a unique cultural experience that spans more than 250 miles across 19 towns.
This month, The Crooked Road will be participating in the first public online voting contest for the 2010 Dozen Distinctive Destinations Fan Favorite.
For 10 years, the NTHP has annually selected communities across America that offer cultural and recreational experience different from those found at the typical vacation destination.
From dramatic down towns and stunning architecture to cultural diversity and a commitment to historic preservation, sustainability and revitalization, the selected destinations boast a richness of character and exude an authentic sense of place.
"The Crooked Road pays homage to a rich Appalachian heritage," said Richard Moe, president of the NTHP. "This trail weaves together the unique historic districts that share a past steeped in a rare and uniquely American music culture."
Celebrating and preserving the Appalachian region's cultural heritage, The Crooked Road encourages visitors to experience authentic mountain music in the region where it was born.
The trail highlights eight music venues, including The Blue Ridge Institute in Ferrum, Ralph Stanley Museum and Traditional Music Center, Carter Family Fold, Rex Theater and Old Fiddler's Convention, and the Blue Ridge Music Center.
The Floyd Country Store is home to the famous Friday Night Jamboree, a long-running music series featuring old time, bluegrass and gospel music.
Nineteen towns dot the 250-plus mile route and offer historic and cultural programs, artisan crafts, museums and outdoor recreational activities.
Other top 12 destinations are at Cedar Falls, Iowa; St. Louis, Mo.; Marquette, Mich.; Fort Collins, Colo.; Provincetown, Mass; Simsbury, Conn.; Rockland, Ma.; Chestnut Hill, Pa.; Huntsville, Ala.; Bastrop, Texas; and Sitka, Alaska. |
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