Here Today Elsewhere Tomorrow Program

Location of Southwest Virginia Museum in Virginia

Where

Program Location: Victorian Parlor
Main Park Address: Southwest Virginia Museum, 10 West First St. N., Big Stone Gap, VA 24219.

When

Sept. 15, 2026. 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

What’s in these mountains? Please join us for this exciting program on Southwest Virginia’s past.

Southwest Virginia’s forests and mountains are alive with thousands of unique animals and plants, each playing a role in the rhythm of Appalachia’s natural world. But the region also carries a quieter, bittersweet history—one filled with remarkable creatures that once thrived here but have since disappeared. Brilliant flocks of Carolina Parakeets once painted the sky, Eastern Elk thundered through the valleys, and even jaguars prowled the dense Appalachian woodlands. As industry expanded and ecosystems shifted, these species vanished, leaving behind only stories and scattered traces.

Today, conservation efforts across Appalachia aim to protect the wildlife that still calls this region home—and, in some cases, to bring back what was lost. Scientists and conservationists are studying how restored habitats, careful management, and renewed awareness could help reintroduce certain vanished species or preserve their closest living relatives. Understanding this history reminds us how fragile these ecosystems are, and how vital it is to safeguard the incredible biodiversity that still thrives in Southwest Virginia.

This is a free program, and no registration is needed to attend.

For more information about this program, please call the park at 276-523-9640.

Past

Other details

Standard parking or admission fee applies: No.
Extra fee: No.
Registration required: No.
Children welcome: Yes.
Phone: 276-523-9640
Email Address: SWVAMuseum@dcr.virginia.gov