Image taken at Royal Oak Presbyterian church in Marion, VA

The history of stained glass in Southwestern Virginia is inseparable from the movement of people through the Appalachian region. Beginning in the early 18th century, settlers traveled southward along the Great Wagon Road, a vital migration corridor stretching from Pennsylvania through the Shenandoah Valley and into the backcountry of Virginia and the Carolinas. By the late 19th century, churches began adopting Gothic Revival styles, characterized by pointed arches, tall windows, and decorative stained glass. Today, stained glass in Southwestern Virginia remains a scattered but powerful legacy. From the wagon ruts of early migration to the glowing windows of late 19th-century sanctuaries, stained glass in Southwestern Virginia stand as quiet witnesses to the people who traveled the Great Wagon Road and to the communities they built when the road finally ended, signalling home.

This exhibition is a William King Museum of Art original exhibition and is part of the museum’s McGlothlin Exhibition Series. It is generously sponsored by Highlands Glass Company.

A special thank you to our Annual Sponsors: Ballad Health Johnston Memorial Hospital and BurWil Construction Company.

Related events:

Members, Lenders, and Special Guests Reception*
Wednesday, April 29th, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Tours at Four | FREE Public Tour | Thursday, April 30th, 4:00pm-5:00pm

Join us in the gallery for a guided tour of the exhibition

Members’ Morning* | Thursday, April 30th, 10:00am-11:00am

RSVP required for all events by emailing rsvp@wkmuseum.org.

*Member only events. To become a member visit www.williamkingmuseum.org/become-a-member.