Three facilities that closed at the start of the government shutdown will reopen to visitors, according to a news release from the nonprofit Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.
The Foundation is funding operations for the Parkway Visitor Center in Asheville, the Museum of North Carolina Minerals in Spruce Pine, and the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, Virginia. Funding began Saturday, October 4, and continues through October 11.
“October is one of the highest-visitation months in the national park as visitors flock to the mountains to see autumn colors,” said Carolyn Ward, CEO of the Foundation. “We are pleased to ensure more facilities are open to welcome visitors.”
The Foundation is working in partnership with the National Park Service, America’s National Parks Stores, and other organizations to enhance the visitor experience.
The Museum of North Carolina Minerals, located at milepost 331 near Spruce Pine, will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, October 9, through Sunday, October 12. The museum features interactive exhibits showcasing the region’s geological formations and mining history, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the mountains’ rich mineral heritage.
Phot courtesy Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
