— The Crooked Road — Virginia's Heritage Music Trail —

Franklin County. Welcome to Franklin County, the eastern gateway to The Crooked Road, a journey through Southwest Virginia's musical heritage that winds through the Appalachian Mountains for 265 miles. Franklin County has always been a cultural crossroads where black and white musicians shared ideas and learned from each other. The music they created is kept alive in frequent jam sessions and concerts. The Community and Hospitality Center in Rocky Mount will help you find them, as well as historic and outdoor recreation opportunities.

The farmstead (now a National Monument) where a great American, Booker T. Washington, was born a slave is located here and the colonial wagon road to Carolina and the West can be seen here. Ferrum College is home to the Blue Ridge Institute and Farm Museum, an important Virginia institution dedicated to the craft and music traditions of Virginia. Smith Mountain Lake, Bald Knob, and the hiking trails and blueways of Franklin County allow visitors to experience the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge.

The Crooked Road, Virginia's Heritage Music Trail. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Coalfields region, southwest Virginia is blessed with historic and contemporary music venues, musicians, and fretted instrument makers. Historically isolated, the region retained its strong musical legacy by passing traditions down through musical families to an appreciative community.

Old time mountain music, bluegrass, and gospel can be enjoyed all year long and several museums are devoted to showcasing the area's rich musical heritage.

The Crooked Road winds through the ruggedly beautiful Appalachian Mountains and leads you to the major hotspots of old time mountain music, country music, and bluegrass. Alive and kickin' for today's fans, these venues preserve and celebrate musical traditions passed down through generations. Annual festivals, weekly concerts, radio shows, and jam sessions ring out to large audiences and intimate gatherings. Please visit the Crooked Road website to plan your trip to coincide with the current entertainment events.

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Show me all markers in:  Rocky Mt, VA  |  Franklin County  |  24151  |  Virginia  |  United States of America

Norfolk and Western Caboose
Rocky Mount
First Franklin County Court
Washington Iron Works
Fort Blackwater
Carolina Road
Ferrum College
Taylor's Store
Roanoke County / Franklin County
Birthplace of General Jubal Early

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