Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace
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Location
Abingdon, Virginia
Address
One Heartwood Circle, Abingdon, VA 24210
Regional music connection
The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail
Former name
Heartwood
Part visitor center, part marketplace and part gathering place, the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace is designed as a first stop for exploring the region. Its exhibits and visitor information introduce Southwest Virginia’s communities, outdoor recreation, history and cultural traditions, while its marketplace brings together work by regional artisans.[1]
The center is also the headquarters of The Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. Visitors can browse handmade crafts, explore displays about regional music and look for performances or other events. Set in Abingdon, Virginia, it makes a useful introduction to the wider region as well as a destination in its own right.[2][3]
Plan a trip to Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace
Why visit the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace?
Come to get a sense of the region before setting out to explore it. The center combines trip-planning information with exhibits on Southwest Virginia’s stories, arts, music and outdoor destinations. Its regional focus makes it a good place to discover places and traditions that may be less familiar to first-time visitors.[4]
The marketplace gives that introduction a tangible dimension. Its selection includes work by Southwest Virginia artisans, with examples spanning pottery, quilts, painting, glass, jewelry and wood. The center also presents rotating exhibits and hosts music and community events; check its official calendar for what is scheduled during your visit.[5][6]
Start here
Begin with the visitor-center displays and regional information to orient yourself to Southwest Virginia. The center describes a carved wooden map as a focal point for exploring the region’s counties and cities; use the displays and available travel materials to identify communities, heritage sites and outdoor destinations that match your plans.[7]
Then take time to browse the marketplace and music exhibits. If you have a particular interest—such as a local craft, a performance or a regional route—ask staff what visitor information or upcoming events may help you plan the next leg of your trip.
What to see and do
Look for handmade pieces by regional artisans, including pottery, textiles, glass, jewelry, paintings and woodwork. The marketplace describes its collection as a way to support artisans from across Southwest Virginia.
The center is the headquarters of The Crooked Road. Music displays and an experiential theater introduce the region’s traditional music; live performances are scheduled on select dates, so check ahead.
Use the center as a starting point for exploring Abingdon and the surrounding region. The local visitor organization also highlights the marketplace as a place to discover regional crafts, music and stories.
For another Southwest Virginia music stop, visit this museum in Bristol, which explores the 1927 Bristol Sessions and the region’s musical heritage.
Pair a visit to the cultural center with a performance at Abingdon’s Barter Theatre. Check the theater’s current schedule and ticket information before making plans.
History and significance
The center opened in 2011 under the name Heartwood. Its original purpose was to showcase regional artisans and musicians and interpret Southwest Virginia’s heritage, outdoor recreation and scenic landscapes for visitors. It later took the name Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace, emphasizing its role as both a regional cultural introduction and a place to shop for local work.[8]
The center brings together visitor information, artisan retail, music and community programming. Its connection to The Crooked Road places it within a wider network of music venues and heritage destinations across the region, while its marketplace provides a public outlet for regional craft. Together, these roles make the building a practical gateway as well as a venue for sharing Southwest Virginia’s living cultural traditions.[9][10]
Planning a visit
The center is at One Heartwood Circle in Abingdon. Its website currently lists hours of Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; hours, event schedules and access arrangements can change, so confirm details with the center before traveling.[11]
Allow time to browse both the visitor information and the marketplace, and check the official events listing if you hope to hear live music or attend a program. The center lists its phone number as (276) 492-2400. For a broader itinerary, combine the stop with time in Abingdon, Virginia or use its regional displays to plan onward travel through Southwest Virginia.[12][13]
Nearby attractions
Abingdon
Explore the town’s historic district, arts venues, shops and dining.
Barter Theatre
Catch a production at Abingdon’s professional theater; consult its current schedule.
Abingdon Muster Grounds
Visit a historic site connected with the Overmountain Men and the American Revolution.
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Explore Bristol’s music history and the legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ About, Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace, Friends of Southwest Virginia. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
- ↑ Home, Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace, Friends of Southwest Virginia. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
- ↑ Abingdon: Your Gateway to Southwest Virginia, Virginia Is for Lovers, Virginia Tourism Corporation. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
- ↑ About, Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace, Friends of Southwest Virginia. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
- ↑ About, Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace, Friends of Southwest Virginia. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
- ↑ Home, Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace, Friends of Southwest Virginia. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
- ↑ About, Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace, Friends of Southwest Virginia. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
- ↑ About, Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace, Friends of Southwest Virginia. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
- ↑ About, Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace, Friends of Southwest Virginia. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
- ↑ Home, Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace, Friends of Southwest Virginia. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
- ↑ Home, Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace, Friends of Southwest Virginia. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
- ↑ Home, Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace, Friends of Southwest Virginia. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
- ↑ Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace, Visit Abingdon Virginia, Abingdon Convention and Visitors Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2026.