Montgomery Museum to celebrate May with Maypole in the Garden Festival By Lori Graham

CHRISTIANSBURG – The Montgomery Museum of Art & History continues to draw visitors, with their recent art and history exhibits and an upcoming Maypole in the Garden event.

The “Secrets of the Ledger” exhibit features historical documents from William Kyle’s general store, once located at 100 East Main St., Christiansburg. The exhibit shows a variety of goods that would have been sold in his store as well, such as clothing materials, tools, writing materials, dry goods, and harvested products like tobacco.

Kyle was married three times, producing several children. He also owned slaves who are believed to have worked in his store, according to the Montgomery County Museum of Art and History website at www.montgomerymuseum.org. Upon the store owner’s passing, his brother Jeremiah took over the store and named it “Jeremiah Kyle and Company,” and owned the Price’s Mountain Coal Company (1853). Extensive information and documents can be viewed at the museum with the exhibits.

The “Portrait of the Blues” art exhibit is a fantastic display of artwork in honor of Blues musicians from the past. Greats like Memphis Minnie, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Robert Johnson, and of course everyone’s favorite Billie Holiday are portrayed in classic and creative colors that are simply astonishing. The art exhibition will remain on display through April 28. Local artists’ work from Ken Pease and Anne Waldrop are featured in this exhibit.

The Christiansburg Institute also has an exhibit at the front of the museum that is a showstopper. A tapestry of images creates a timeline of memorable pictures from the past along with historical records, graduating class photos, newspaper clippings, and artwork hanging from floor to ceiling.

A fun family event to plan for is happening May 3, 2-4 p.m., at 300 Pepper St. in Christiansburg. The Maypole in the Garden event, with this year’s theme of “Bugs, Pollinators, and Plants” will delight visitors of all ages with art on display by the community, a children’s maypole activity, and a children’s story time with the Montgomery-Floyd Mobile Library. The event is free and open to the public.