Ralph Stanley Museum

The Ralph Stanley Museum and Traditional Mountain Music Center became available to music lovers of all ages in October of 2004. Combining the history of traditional mountain music and the legendary career of Dr. Ralph Stanley, the Museum offers an interactive musical journey which enables visitors to see and hear this particular style of mountain music.

The private, non-profit Museum is filled with a collection of memorabilia from the life and career of Dr. Ralph Stanley. The Museum features up to date art audio and video displays and in-depth information panels that tell the story of traditional mountain music. These features enable visitors to learn about Ralph Stanley, his music and the mountains which molded his style.

The Museum educates visitors about how the landscape of the Appalachian Mountains shaped the traditional music of the area. The landscape, along with an upbringing of Primitive Baptist faith, encouraged Dr. Stanley and his brother Carter to begin performing traditional mountain music for the public. The exhibits on display at the Museum begin with the creation of the Stanley Brothers and continue on to the history of the Clinch Mountain Boys.

The Ralph Stanley Museum is one of the largest museums in Southwest Virginia. It is considered by most the "Crown Jewel" of the Crooked Road Heritage Music Trail, which spotlights the towns and institutions that promote and preserve traditional mountain music from the Appalachian area.

Basic driving directions:

From US Route 23, follow Route 83 to Clintwood. At the 2nd stop light, turn left onto Main Street. Museum located approximately 3 blocks on left.

Major Venue on the Crooked Road "Virginia's Heritage Music Trail"

The Ralph Stanley Museum combines the career of Dr. Ralph Stanley with the history of traditional mountain music, this state-of-the-art interactive museum will allow you to see and hear this particular style of American music in its original setting: the mountains of Southwestern Virginia. Follow the career of Dr. Ralph Stanley through the exhibits and learn how the environment and traditional music influenced his style. The museum's mission is "to honor the talent and legacy of Dr. Ralph Stanley and to preserve and promote traditional mountain music through exhibits, services, and resource information to the people in Southwest Virginia, the nation and the world".