National Public Lands Day

Location of Southwest Virginia Museum in Virginia

Where

Southwest Virginia Museum, 10 West First St. N., Big Stone Gap, VA 24219.
Victorian Garden

When

Sept. 27, 2025. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park invites the public to celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 1pm-4pm with a volunteer event to help resurface one of the museum’s main entrance gates. This hands-on opportunity gives visitors a chance to give back to the park while contributing to the preservation of a historic landmark in the heart of Appalachia.

Park Rangers will be on hand to lead the project, which includes scraping, sanding, priming, and painting the gate to enhance its appearance and ensure its long-term durability. All necessary tools and materials will be provided, and volunteers of all skill levels are welcome to participate.

Annually, National Public Lands Day is the nation’s single largest volunteer effort for public lands, offering citizens a chance to connect with the invaluable resources while improving the spaces that bring communities together.

Workers helping with outdoor cleanup

About National Public Lands Day

Virginia State Parks celebrates National Public Lands Day each September by inviting volunteers and visitors to take part in the largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands in the country. Join in preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the state’s public lands through a variety of hands-on activities, including trail maintenance, tree plantings, invasive species removal, litter clean-ups and educational programs on the importance of conservation. Parking fees are waived at most Virginia State Parks for National Public Lands Day (excludes Grayson Highlands and the admission fee at Natural Bridge and Southwest Virginia Museum).

Other details

Standard parking or admission fee applies: No.
Extra fee: No.
Registration required: No.
Children welcome: Yes.
Phone: 276-523-1322
Email Address: SWVAMuseum@dcr.virginia.gov