Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 04/22/1992
NRHP Listing Date 10/27/1992
NRHP Reference Number 92001395
Nestled in a mountain setting, this Neo-Rustic structure is a focal point of Wise County’s cultural heritage. The cabin was built around 1937 when Katherine (Kate) O’Neil Peters Sturgill wanted to create a community center. Her father, William O’Neil, an Irish immigrant, donated the site. The Works Progress Administration program provided funds for the building. Local young men erected the log building, and Kate taught guitar lessons, conducted musical programs, and organized community gatherings here. A local banjo player, Doc Boggs, who later performed at Carnegie Hall, often joined her. At the time of its listing in the registers, Country Cabin, owned by Appalachian Traditions, featured cultural exchange programs with touring artists and hosts regular Saturday evening events aired on local radio and television stations. Traditional mountain music, dances and crafts continued to fill the cabin.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: November 16, 2021
