News Article

Luray Valley Museum Opens on 132 Year Anniversary

Saturday, August 14, 2010
Kasey Hott
NBC 29

Luray Caverns was discovered 132 years ago on August 14th. Directors celebrated the "Discovery Day" with the grand opening of the Luray Valley Museum.

The museum is the newest attraction at the 600-million-year-old caverns. It's part of a campaign to attract tourists and Virginians to discover the valley's past, under and above ground.

Luray Caverns Public Relations Director John Shaffer said, "It really shows the history of the Shenandoah Valley, the people of Page County, and how the Swiss and German culture influenced our valley as the English were moving west from Jamestown."

The Luray Valley Museum is set up as a small farming community with restored buildings representing Shenandoah Valley frontier life in the 1800's. Shaffer said, "It's educational, and it's also fun. It's a great addition to the overall admission to Luray Caverns. It's one more reason for people to visit."

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling was on hand to help cut the ribbon. He believes the new museum will help attract valuable tourism to the valley. "People from all around the country and all around the world want to come and see it," said Bolling.

Tourism is a big business for the commonwealth, bringing in $4.5 billion a year. Bolling says every new attraction helps boost Virginia's tourism industry. "It's that small business entrepreneurial spirit that really is the strength of the American economy," he said.

Luray Caverns attracts half a million visitors each year from around the world. "Even in the height of the recession, tourism has stayed strong and attendance has gone up," said Bolling. It's a trend museum directors hope to see continue well into the future.

For additional information contact Ibbie Hedrick at 804-225-2487 or ibbie.hedrick@ltgov.virginia.gov.