If you are interested in folk art and crafts, the place to go is the Folk Art Center only about nine miles from Applewood Manor. The Center provides an opportunity to learn about regional craft and to view the works of over 300 area artists—you can browse rotating exhibitions in several galleries and watch artists at work. The ground floor’s Focus Gallery and Main Gallery feature various artists throughout the year, so there is always something new to see. The upstairs area includes 250 works from the Center’s permanent collection with crafts dating from the 1850’s. The Folk Art Center also hosts many events throughout the year and has an extensive library of craft books and videos.
The craft shop inside the Center is the oldest continuously operating craft shop in the United States, dating back to 1897. In addition to artwork, its offerings include studio furniture and one-of-a-kind home accessories.
The Center is Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 382 near the Parkway’s intersection with Highway 70. The Folk Art Center is the most popular attraction on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Over 250,000 visitors visit it each year. The location also includes the Parkway Store with National Park souvenirs and travel information.
Admission is free. The center is open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Its hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM, January through March and from 9 AM to 6 PM, April through December. If you are inclined to stretch your legs a little bit, you can access the Mountains-to-Sea Trail from the parking area .There is also, a ¼ mile trail that is designated as accessible according to the Americans with Disabilities Act. The adjacent picnic area is a perfect place to have lunch if you packed one before venturing out for the day.