Dennis E. Reedy Railroad & Coalmining Museum
Clinchco, Virginia
 
The Reedy Museum in Clinchco, Virginia, houses a vast collection of railroad and coal mining tools and memorabilia. Its a world of things that were once ordinary and practical, but are now extraordiary and obsolete. The metal and iron and tin objects are gritty reminders of a back-breaking industrial period in Dickenson County's history.
 
The Reedys, Dennis and his parents, Edward and the late Edith Reedy, housed most of their collection in a two-room building beside their house in Clinchco, creating a very unique museum. Dennis began collecting the artifacts of the coal mining and railroading industry over 30 years ago while he was in elementary school.
 
Dickenson County is home to one of the largest underground stores of coal in the world, so Dennis was in a good place geographically to find relics of the industry.
 
In a visit to the museum you will discover shelf after shelf packed with things that will stir memories or peak your curiosity. In addition to tools you will also see everything from fossils recovered from strip mines by Edward Reedy, to post office boxes that once sat in the old Clinchco Post Office.
 
Dickenson County is a place rich in history, from the first pioneers to to the loggers and miners who toiled to turn the county's forest and mineral wealth into profits for the companies they worked for.
 
Dennis Reedy grew up hearing stories about the old days from his parents and grandparents. His mother, Edith, grew up in Dante, another coal mining camp in Russell County, Virginia. His father, Edward, was a lumberman and strip miner from way back.
 
Young Reedy developed a fascination for the things that people used to earn a living and furnish their homes during that period of history. The Reedys believe that preserving the history of working people - who toiled for low wages under dangerous conditions - is very important.
 
Dennis scours junk shops, auctions, estate sales and flea markets for items to add to his collection. Many items have also been donated to the museum by other local residents.
 
Since the museum is privately owned and personally funded by the Reedys, they have chosen to never charge admission to view their collection. Dennis is now married. He resides in Haysi with his wife, Diana. Edith Reedy passed away a few years ago, and now Edward Reedy has taken over most of the responsibilty of showing the museum to interested tourists, school groups, and other visitors.
 
The Reedys opened the museum so others could enjoy their collection. The first person to sign the register did so on August 18, 1991. Since then the register has been signed by visitors from all over the world. They note that some weeks no one at all visits the museum, then other days they are flooded with visitors. Many come to learn more about the way their parents or grandparents lived. Others just stop by to take a stroll back in history.
 
While the Reedys value their vast collection of railroad and coal mining relics, all the money and time they have invested to preserve a portion of Dickenson County's history for future generations has proven them to be the true treasures to their community.
 
 
(To visit the museum, coming from Clintwood, take Virginia Route 83 into Clinchco. Just past the post office, take a right onto Virginia T-664, which is the main street. The museum is located beside the Reedy's house, which is the last one on the left. From the Breaks Interstate Park, take Virginia Route 80 south and then at Haysi take a right onto Virginia Route 83. At Clinchco take a left onto T-664. For more information, call Edward Reedy at (276) 835-9593, or Dennis Reedy at (276) 865-5337.)
 
Be sure to visit Dennis & Diana Reedy's Red Caboose Inn website: http://www.redcabooseinn.com/
 
Email them at:
marta@redcabooseinn.com
dennis@redcabooseinn.com
 
 
Other Links to visit relating to this story:
 
The Haysi History Book
 
 
 
Back to the Main Page
 
This website is owned by a Dickenson County Gal. It is an unofficial, ad-free, nonprofit, privately owned website.
All rights to the information, photos, and graphics contained herein are strictly reserved by the owner.
 
If you have comments about this website click here.
January 29, 2007