The history and families of the New River Valley region of Southwest Virginia are linked in many, often complex ways. These linkages become even more apparent when visiting our member sites and learning more about the heritage of this place. From the story of Mary Draper Ingles and Drapers Meadow in the 1750s to the closing of the Christiansburg Institute in the 1960s, our heritage is wide-ranging and varied. Please explore the links at left to learn more about our history.