Built in 1823 to serve as a private home, the Rock House in downtown Wytheville has been restored, rejuvenated and breathed new life into.
Bought by Dr. John Haller, the site in 1972 became the town of Wytheville’s first museum, known as the Haller-Gibboney Rock House Museum. Haller served as the town’s first physician.
The house stayed in the Haller and Gibboney families for more than 140 years! In fact, the next owner, in 1967, was the town of Wytheville. Dr. Haller’s great-great-granddaughter, Kathleen Campbell sold the house to the town. The home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, the same year it opened as the Haller-Gibboney Rock House Museum.
Work to restore the Rock House comes as the structure celebrates its 200th anniversary. The museum closed a bit more than a year ago with stabilization and restoration work getting going last October. Building & Design of Wytheville were contracted for the work, which, according to town officials, included strengthening and replacing the basement’s undersized and damaged structural and load-bearing supports as well strengthening and repairing the structure’s failing stairs and weakened floor joists.
Officials noted that additional work included installing a porch drain and lattice work on the Tazewell Street side porch. Workers also replaced copper gutters, downspouts and chimney caps, along with repairing window frames and sashes and repairing plaster. Wallpaper was also installed in the dining room and the second- and third-floor landings saw repairs. The interior and exterior of the building was re-painted completely.
Cost for the work rang in at $350,000 with funding coming from the Wythe-Bland Foudnation, Camrett Logistics, the Wythe County Historical Society and the town. On Sept. 15, the town received word that a state budget amendment was approved for $350,000 for the Rock House project.
As the town’s first museum, preserving the landmark was a top priority.
Passes to go back in time are $5 for adults and $2.50 for children 6 to 12, with those under 5 free. Seniors over 65 get $1 off admission. Once inside, visitors learn about Haller and his family and get a glimpse of what life was like in Wytheville during the 19th century thanks to period furniture and artifacts that help tell the stories of one of the town’s first families.
Up next for the town of Wytheville’s museum department is Oktoberfest. Last year, the first Saturday in October date was re-arranged thanks to hurricane weather encroaching, but the event was still well attended.
This year, Oktoberfest is set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Homestead Museum site near the Wytheville Visitors Center at 975 Tazewell St. Admission is free and there will be food and beer for sale. From noon to 3 p.m., the Sauerkraut Band will return along with several heritage trade demonstrations and kids activities. New this year will be the German tradition of Burning of the Buzemann (a scarecrow). Joseph Hand of Remax Landmark Real Estate sponsored the event to enable admission to be free.
