Conceptual Site Master Plan and Focus Design for a Turn of the Century Community at the Historic Crab Orchard Museum, Tazewell, VA

Abstract

Named for the National Register of Historic Places site on which it is located, the Crab Orchard Museum and Pioneer Park opened in 1982 as a non-profit historical museum devoted initially to Tazewell County. The museum is now devoted entirely to the cultural heritage of the middle Appalachian region. The museum’s Pioneer Park is the only reconstruction of historical buildings in western Virginia that are indigenous to their immediate vicinity. The 15 structures are all original and date back to 1802. The Historic Crab Orchard Museum and Pioneer Park has an additional undeveloped 16 acre site located just across US 19/460 from the existing site. The Community Design Assistance Center team worked with Crab Orchard Museum to develop a conceptual master plan for the 16 acre site to guide development of a turn of the century “community”. This community weaves together cultural and historical elements of the county including railroads, agriculture, and Native Americans.