Permanent Collection

Betsy K. White Cultural Heritage Gallery

The decorative arts legacy of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee developed against the backdrop of European settlement of Virginia’s frontier – really America’s frontier. Prior to the middle of the 18th century, the Blue Ridge Mountains formed a steep barrier to settlement of Virginia’s great valley that lay just beyond it. It wasn’t until the end of ...

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A Day on the Abingdon Branch

(This exhibition is located at the head of the Creeper Trail at Abingdon’s tourism annex, the Findlay House, 300 Green Spring Road, Abingdon, VA) This rare photography collection captures the last steam train on the Virginia Creeper rail line. Of the Abingdon Branch, O. Winston Link said, “at times the locomotives are almost incidental to the picture. They add to ...

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Furniture

The earliest furniture was made during the closing years of the 18th century and in the style of English cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale. Despite the fact that early furniture was often made at home with little thought given to prevailing style, there was a market for fashionable furniture and trained cabinetmakers were here to supply it. Chippendale’s pattern book was ...

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Pottery

Pottery-making was an important local industry as early as the last years of the 18th century and lasting throughout the 19th century. All sorts of ceramic containers were made: jars, crocks, churns, milk pans, pitchers, honey pots, jugs, water coolers and even ink wells. Rich clay found along the rivers provided the natural resources, but transportation was also a key ...

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Textile

The decorative arts legacy of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee developed against the backdrop of European settlement of Virginia’s frontier – really America’s frontier. Prior to the middle of the 18th century, the Blue Ridge Mountains formed a steep barrier to settlement of Virginia’s great valley that lay just beyond it. It wasn’t until the end of ...

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Explore Exhibits

Upcoming Exhibits

WKMA continually brings new and exciting exhibits and artists to the museum experience. Explore what's next for us.

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Permanent Collection

View works from our Permanent Collection of art, part of the WKMA experience year round, featuring our most enduring pieces.

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Sculpture Garden

The Sculpture Garden is a beautiful part of our museum grounds experience, and part of our permanent collection of art.

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Past Exhibits

View previously exhibited work at the William King Museum of Art, a retrospective of past shows and galleries.

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