A Fire Truck Muster: To Claytor Lake with the Old Dominion Historical Fire Society

As Justin completed his summer teacher workday, Kim surprised Elijah and Gwen with a trip to Claytor Lake State Park for the annual Old Dominion Historical Fire Society (ODFHS) Claytor Lake Muster.  Elijah has so enjoyed seeing the antique fire trucks in Roanoke "around town," especially at special events at the Virginia Museum of Transportation, and we heard about this event as we began following ODHFS.  With Claytor Lake being only about an hour from Roanoke, it was an easy trip for us.

The fire truck muster involves a short, simple parade of antique and late-model fire trucks that then park near the lake itself for viewing.  We hung out as they connected various pumpers, spraying water out into the lake and thoroughly impressing Elijah; we had our questions about various trucks answered by the truck owners.  Apparatuses on display ranged from early 20th century (about 1917) to just-a-few-years-older-than-Kim (about 1977) and included around a dozen vehicles.  It's like being at a specialized car show, but Kim finds that the owners of old fire trucks are more willing to allow you to be "hands on" with their treasures.  

We also played on the nearby playground and took in the atmosphere, including beautiful Claytor Lake.  The muster seems to coincide with a simple, laid-back annual festival at the park--think fried food vendors, a local radio station playing, opportunities for the kids to do sand art.  The people we met were friendly.  Note that the festival is extremely relaxed--we asked at the park gate about the timing and location of the parade, and no one seemed very knowledgeable, probably because "things just happen when they do" in this not-so-type-A atmosphere. 

If you go, know that park admission is raised (but still inexpensive) on festival weekends--we paid $10 instead of the usual $5--but they do accept Visa and might knock off a few dollars for a canned food donation.  Your visit is a great opportunity for a simple picnic, so bring one from home.  Few other attractions and restaurants are in the immediate vicinity, but you are not far from the Radford/Christiansburg area and from Pulaski.  For our recent visit to a simple transportation museum in Pulaski, click here. 

Wartime Curiosities: The Tank Museum

 

The American Armoured Foundation (AAF) Tank Museum--another one of those places we've thought of going many times and that we're so pleased we visited.  Situated in a former factory in Danville, VA, the Tank Museum is a place that is likely to impress you, whether or not you typically like military collections.

The museum is home to over 100 tanks of various pedigrees as well as other military items such as uniforms and munitions.  Items are neatly arranged and labeled with interesting information; if you look, you will find that many of the tanks were actually built by US auto manufacturers.  The collection includes ecclectic items, including wartime Hollywood memorabilia, and there's a range for remote control tanks that's used by club members on special event dates.  Some artifacts are set up to climb on for photo ops--mind the signs.

If you go, we recommend you begin your visit by sampling the news clippings about the museum on display in the entry area.  These notes will give you a good sense of the museum's history.  It is, essentially, one man's collection on display, transported all the way from New Jersey.  The resourcefulness involved in setting up the museum is simply amazing.  Wear your close-toed walking shoes--you'll cover a lot of ground in the old factory--and dress for the weather.  The museum is indoors but is not climate-controlled; therefore, you may want to visit on a spring or fall day.  Plan your trip in advance, as it is usually open just 1-2 days per week.  Look for the owner riding an antique military bike around and flag him down with your questions. 

For lunch afterwards, we recommend the diner-like Golden Skillet down the road in Tightsqueeze.  It has an awesome fiberglass sign and is a throwback to a simpler time--such a throwback, in fact, that it serves Kool-Aid and doesn't seem to have a website.  If you are travelling with kids, consider adding on a visit to the Danville Science Center, reading about our trip there here.

The Ratcliffe: A Local History Museum That's Fun For Kids

 

If you've been exploring our blog, you know Justin and Kim will enjoy just about any type of museum, and we're raising our kids in the hope they'll be able to do the same.  Pulaski's Ratcliffe Memorial Transportation Museum makes it simple to get kids--or anyone--interested in local history, whether or not you know much about Southwest Virginia.   The Ratcliffe's presentation is impressive, including appropriate signage and an attractive museum catalogue for sale to those interested.  If you know local history and local museums, you do not take these things for granted. 

The collection features prominent transportation-related items, most notably two antique fire engines from the town's early departments and an extremely impressive model train layout of Pulaski, VA.  The layout was crafted as a life-long hobby of a local dentist, and it was obviously a realistic model of the town, even to our first-time visitor eyes.  Most of the structures in the model are made of reused cereal and shoe boxes, and you can see professional photos of them on the museum's Facebook page.  Expect the majority of the rest of the collection to showcase Pulaski history.  There are photographs of workers from local industries, architectural components from local theatres, and signage from local stores.  For kids, there's a "train table" for play.

The museum's friendly staff welcomed us warmly and provided nifty information as we toured, even allowing Elijah to access one of the antique fire engines.   He can describe its parts, including its hand-cranked siren, quite well, and he'd be happy to give you a tour if you want to take him on your trip!  If you go, know there is a playground nearby, and it looks like a decent spot for a simple picnic.  We didn't readily find lots of other tourist stops or shops, but there are plenty of fast food outlets for lunch.