MORE PHOTOS IN THE PHOTO GALLERY
Museum Director Sharon Ewing welcomed the inductees and their families and friends, first to a reception where folks got to know about the other "Walk of Fame" inductees. There was picture-taking, story-swapping about life in the hills, hollers and coalfields, and a great sense of "welcome back home." That feeling went from inductees even to visitors.
People of all walks of life who left the coalfields of the region and became powerful influences in their chosen professions were honored in the Walk of Fame induction ceremony. That group includes actors, politicians, authors, athletes, a famous actor, a famous major league baseball player, bluegrass musicians, country music singers and performers, physicians, scientists, military veterans, and one very famous explorer. Criteria for being on the list, is being either native-born, or having lived in southwestern Virginia for longer than 5 years.
WILLIE HORTON, LEFT, DR. JUNIUS GRIFFIN'S GRANDSON ANTHONY ON RIGHT
Notable African-Americans from the Southwest Virginia region inducted into the Walk of Fame were noted author and journalist Dr. Junius Giffin, and famed major league slugger Willie Horton.
The explorer was Pennsylvania-born Daniel Boone, whose trek to Kentucky, took him into just about every county in Southwest Virginia. The other list of inductees, their accomplishments, and their Southwest Virginia place of birth/residence are:
Moran Lee "Doc" Boggs, influential singer, songwriter, banjo player (Norton)
The Carter Family, bluegrass singers (Maces Spring)
Ollan Cassell, Olympic gold medalist, Pan American medalist (Nickelsville)
John Fox, Jr., journalist, novelist, short story writer (Stoney Point, Kentucky)
Dr. Junius Griffin, newsman, journalist, Motown Public Relations (Stonega)
Helen Timmons Henderson (first woman elected to Women's House of Delegates (Missouri)
Napoleon Hill, author, novelist (Wise County)
Linwood Holton, Virginia Governor 1970-1074 (Big Stone Gap)
Willie Horton, major league baseball player, Detroit Tigers (Arno)
George C. Perry, Virginia Governor. 1934-1938 (Tazewell County)
Darrell "Shifty" Powers, WW II Paratrooper (Clinchco)
Francis Gary Powers, Cold War U-2 Pilot (Jenkins, KY-Pound, Virginia)
Glenn Roberts, basketball start, inventor of the Jump Shot (Glamorgan)
George C. Scott, actor, Oscar winner (Wise)
C. Bascom Slemp, politician, Coolidge White House advisor (Turkey Cove)
Lee Smith, author, novelist (Grundy)
Henry C. Stuart, Virginia governor, 1914-1918 (Wytheville)
The Stanley Brothers, bluegrass musicians, the Clinch Mountain Boys (Dickenson County)
Dr. William Starnes, chemist (Lee County)
Dr. Andrew Still, physician (Lee County)
Adriana Trigiani, novelist, TV show writer, comedienne (Big Stone Gap)
Don Whitehead, author, news reporter (Inman)
In some cases, the inductee was presented with a museum's statue of commemoration. In other cases where the inductee is either deceased or unable to attend, a family member or representative accepted the award on their behalf.
The group of inductees were chosen in conjunction with the museum's 60th anniversary, and were chosen as unique Southwest Virginians who have made the state, the nation and the world a better place by their works and deeds. They were nominated for the Walk of Fame by a selection committee made up of representatives from area cultural and academic institutions and regional civic organizations.
The museum itself is in an old home overlooking the town of Big Stone Gap, surrounded by mountains and traversed by the Powell River. C. Bascom Slemp, who served many years in Congress and was President Calvin Coolidge's private secretary, purchased the house in 1929. He and his sister began collecting artifacts depicting life in the area, and three years after his death in 1943, the state of Virginia took the home and turned it into the Southwest Virginia Museum State Historical Park.
The museum was officially dedicated in 1948, managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation's Division of State Parks.
After the list of 2008 inductees and their accomplishments were announced, patrons, inductees and family members went to the side of the museum where the Walk of Fame was officially dedicated. For many, it was an exciting time, as the names were seen etched in stone. For others, it was a solemn time, remembering the old days struggling for a better life outside the coalfields.
Ms. Ewing told the group at the unveiling, that the Southwest Virginia Walk of Fame provides a showcase for the heritage of the area, and a means of advancing the knowledge, awareness and appreciation of great Southwest Virginians, past and present, who've made significant contributions to society.
LEFT, JOSEPH MAROON, DIRECTOR, VA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
MIDDLE, HON. TERRY KILGORE, VA STATE DELEGATE, 1ST DISTRICT
RIGHT, ANTHONY GRIFFIN, GRANDSON OF INDUCTEE DR. JUNIUS GRIFFIN
LEFT, JOSEPH MAROON, DIRECTOR, VA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
MIDDLE, INDUCTEE WILLIE HORTON
RIGHT, HON. TERRY KILGORE, VA STATE DELEGATE, 1ST DISTRICT
"They represent all that is wonderful about this region," Ms. Ewing says. "They serve as inspirations to people around the world."
The Southwest Virginia Museum is a state historical park, and is located at 10 West First Street in downtown Big Stone Gap, Virginia. The Walk of Fame is available for viewing outside the building all the time, and the museum hours are Monday through Thursday 10 AM to 4 PM.. Friday 9 AM to 4 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday 1 PM to 5 PM. The museum is closed during January and February. Admission for adults is $3.00, children 6-12 $2.00 and under 6 free. The group rate with 100 people or more, is priced at $1.50 per person. Annual passes are also available.
For more information, contact the Southwest Virginia Museum State Historical Park at 1-276-523-1332, or by going to www.swvamuseum.org
