Local History

Robert Porterfield, founder of both the Virginia Highlands Festival and the famed Barter Theatre, held the first Festival in 1949 at the Martha Washington Inn. His purpose was to preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage of this area. The Festival, over the past seven decades, has grown in scope to represent all of Southwest Virginia. Now it not only preserves the arts, crafts, and skills that developed in this region, but it also imports talented artists and performers from around the world for creative exchange and the enjoyment of area residents and visitors.

More than 100 volunteers work year-round planning events, tours, performances, and exhibitions for the annual Festival. They staff information booths, take up tickets, shuttle out-of-town performers to their programs and represent the Festival to local media.

Local tourism that centers around culture and history help Abingdon, Virginia stand out. Unique events stand the test of time, and a few long–standing Festival favorites include the Historic Homes walking tour, Back Country weekend, and Sinking Spring Cemetery tour.