Nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains sits the small town of Schuyler, Virginia (pronounced SKY-lur). It is best known as the childhood home of writer Earl Hamner Jr. who created The Waltons and used many of his experiences there as the basis for the show.

There is now a museum in Schuyler devoted to The Waltons that is located right across the street from Earl Hamner Jr.’s real childhood home. It’s actually in the building where Hamner went to elementary and high school!

The museum features replicas of each room in the Walton house. Familiar items are the “Boatwright University” pennant on John-Boy’s bedroom wall and the big wooden radio in the living room. There’s even a camera and dolly that were used to film 182 Waltons episodes, so you can pretend you’re on the real set.

A genuine moonshining still was seized by local authorities and given to the museum. It’s displayed alongside information about the Baldwin sisters and their famous (and accidentally illegal) recipe.

Who remembers the classic season five episode "The Pony Cart"? It starred Beulah Bondi (best known for playing Jimmy Stewart’s mom in both Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and It’s a Wonderful Life) as Aunt Martha Corrine, who roils up the family when she comes for an extended visit. The actual cart that Aunt Martha and Ben redecorate in the episode is on display at the museum.

The Walton’s Mountain Museum is a must-visit for any diehard fan. Don’t forget to visit the gift shop, reminiscent of a general store and post office like the one run by Ike Godsey in the show.

If you mail a postcard from the museum, the real post office next door will stamp it with Walton’s Mountain, Virginia.

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