| Mountain Art Works, LLC |
Welcome To Our Part of Earth!!
Nestled in the mountains of Southwest Virginia
Dickenson County (Virginia's Baby)
in the Heart of Appalachia, in God's Country..
Dickenson County (Virginia's Baby)
in the Heart of Appalachia, in God's Country..
Mountain Art Works (MAW's) is dedicated to the culture and history of the
Appalachian mountain region in and around Southwest Virginia, in the
Appalachian Mountains. Throughout Mountain Art Works you will find a
wide variety of items. Some for sale, and some a museum of our area and
culture. All a reflection of who we are.
Originally located in a building that has been a gathering place for old
friends and new since 1937. Where people from our mountain region
mingle with neighbors from near and far....and where a world view can be
expressed in a friendly atmosphere of home. Just like when you go home
to your MAW's. MAW's brick and mortar kitchen is closed for the season.
Step into our parlor, where art works from antiques to current creations are
on display. Stroll around the gallery and enjoy the creative imagination of
artists and craftspeople from Dickenson County and places beyond with
works of art from modern expression to "old tyme".
Appalachian mountain region in and around Southwest Virginia, in the
Appalachian Mountains. Throughout Mountain Art Works you will find a
wide variety of items. Some for sale, and some a museum of our area and
culture. All a reflection of who we are.
Originally located in a building that has been a gathering place for old
friends and new since 1937. Where people from our mountain region
mingle with neighbors from near and far....and where a world view can be
expressed in a friendly atmosphere of home. Just like when you go home
to your MAW's. MAW's brick and mortar kitchen is closed for the season.
Step into our parlor, where art works from antiques to current creations are
on display. Stroll around the gallery and enjoy the creative imagination of
artists and craftspeople from Dickenson County and places beyond with
works of art from modern expression to "old tyme".
Local History
Haysi, Virginia On July 25, 1900 the first post office opened in the what
is now Haysi area at a store owned by Charles M. Hayter and Otis Sifers.
The store was located about 1 mile northwest of the mouth of the McClure
River and the area was known locally only as "The Mouth of the McClure."
But, the United States Post Office required that it have a real name before
the application could be completed and so Charles and Otis put their
heads, and their names, together and came up with Haysi. Nobody is quite
sure why Charles Hayter got first billing, especially since Otis Sifers got
there first, but then, Haysi does sound a lot better than Sifha.
is now Haysi area at a store owned by Charles M. Hayter and Otis Sifers.
The store was located about 1 mile northwest of the mouth of the McClure
River and the area was known locally only as "The Mouth of the McClure."
But, the United States Post Office required that it have a real name before
the application could be completed and so Charles and Otis put their
heads, and their names, together and came up with Haysi. Nobody is quite
sure why Charles Hayter got first billing, especially since Otis Sifers got
there first, but then, Haysi does sound a lot better than Sifha.
Dickenson County was formed in 1880 from Russell, Wise and
Buchanan Counties. In 1880, Delegate William J. Dickenson sponsored
a bill in the House of Delegates to establish Dickenson County as the one
hundredth county in Virginia. Dickenson County has since become known
as "Virginia's Baby".
Buchanan Counties. In 1880, Delegate William J. Dickenson sponsored
a bill in the House of Delegates to establish Dickenson County as the one
hundredth county in Virginia. Dickenson County has since become known
as "Virginia's Baby".
Early settlers migrated into the area almost 200 years ago. The first
settlements in Dickenson County were Sandlick, Haysi, Holly Creek
(Clintwood) and Nora. Most early settlers were farmers, living off the land,
prospering with the natural abundance of grassland, timber and wild
game. Farms were maintained to fed the family and to peddle
vegetables and eggs to the town folks.
settlements in Dickenson County were Sandlick, Haysi, Holly Creek
(Clintwood) and Nora. Most early settlers were farmers, living off the land,
prospering with the natural abundance of grassland, timber and wild
game. Farms were maintained to fed the family and to peddle
vegetables and eggs to the town folks.
During the late 1800's representatives for coal companies came through
the area buying mineral rights on the lands owned by county residents. In
1915, the first railroad was completed into the county. With the
completion of the railroad, lumber and coal companies moved in and
began their operations to extract the natural resources purchased years
before. Coal mining still continues today. Many of the smaller mines have
been replaced with the development of new mining technology and heavy
earth moving equipment. It is now possible to remove entire mountains to
access shallow seams of coal.
the area buying mineral rights on the lands owned by county residents. In
1915, the first railroad was completed into the county. With the
completion of the railroad, lumber and coal companies moved in and
began their operations to extract the natural resources purchased years
before. Coal mining still continues today. Many of the smaller mines have
been replaced with the development of new mining technology and heavy
earth moving equipment. It is now possible to remove entire mountains to
access shallow seams of coal.
Local folklore has a different
twist......Back in the day
when there were no bridges
that crossed the river, a ferry
boat operator named Si
(Silas) would transport folks
across. When you came
down to the river if he was on
the opposite side, it was
common to shout "Hey Si!"
to get his attention. The
town became known as
"Haysi!
twist......Back in the day
when there were no bridges
that crossed the river, a ferry
boat operator named Si
(Silas) would transport folks
across. When you came
down to the river if he was on
the opposite side, it was
common to shout "Hey Si!"
to get his attention. The
town became known as
"Haysi!
Things have changed a little since the early 1900's.
Haysi was still described as a laurel bed with logging, farming and
moonshine as the main industries as late as 1911.
moonshine as the main industries as late as 1911.
As the gateway to the Breaks Interstate Park, Haysi's true beauty, the
charm that makes it such a special place, is the natural beauty that
surrounds it. Come here and look around, and you'll be in awe of the
rugged mountainous terrain, native wildlife, mountain streams, white water
rafting, bluegrass music and the peaceful setting.
charm that makes it such a special place, is the natural beauty that
surrounds it. Come here and look around, and you'll be in awe of the
rugged mountainous terrain, native wildlife, mountain streams, white water
rafting, bluegrass music and the peaceful setting.
The Appalachian Mountains are rich with history and recreational
opportunities. Home of the famous Hatfields and McCoys and the Swift
Silver Mine. If you are an outdoor enthusiast do we have something here
for you! There's boating, camping and fishing. Our beautiful scenic
mountain streams are stocked with trout and other popular breeds of fish.
Hiking and biking trails offer picturesque scenery and a mountain
challenge that can range from beginner to expert. Throughout the month
of October, water is released from the John Flannagan Reservoir raising
the river level which improves rafting and kayaking conditions. The
Russell Fork River has become internationally known for its whitewater.
opportunities. Home of the famous Hatfields and McCoys and the Swift
Silver Mine. If you are an outdoor enthusiast do we have something here
for you! There's boating, camping and fishing. Our beautiful scenic
mountain streams are stocked with trout and other popular breeds of fish.
Hiking and biking trails offer picturesque scenery and a mountain
challenge that can range from beginner to expert. Throughout the month
of October, water is released from the John Flannagan Reservoir raising
the river level which improves rafting and kayaking conditions. The
Russell Fork River has become internationally known for its whitewater.
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Appalachia How do you pronounce it? Best described by Kate and Andrea from Illinois. Apple-Atcha! These mountains are rich with history and recreational opportunities. If you're an outdoors enthusiast there's something here for you. Hiking and biking trails offer picturesque scenery and a mountain challenge that can range from beginner to expert. Pine Mountain Trail You may even want to search for the lost Swift Silver Mine! Kayaking the Russell Fork River is a popular local sport. Folks from around the world come to visit for a ride down the river! Into Bluegrass Music? The Ralph Stanley Museum The Crooked Road Mountain Folks live off the land. We love the outdoors. Local luthiers' custom build banjos, fiddles, mandolins and guitars. Visit the Breaks Interstate Park The Grand Canyon of the South Dickenson County Chamber of Commerce Official Dickenson County Site Virginia Tourism Corporation Reedy Railroad & Coal Museum Haysi - Clinchco Lions Club |