Where Gumbo Was #509
The Walton’s Mountain Museum is dedicated to all things about the real life of Earl Hamner, Jr. and the historical drama TV show “The Waltons” which ran from 1972 to 1981, telling the story of a family rural Virginia through the Great Depression and World War II.
The museum is located in Schuyler because it was Hamner’s home town, and the place in which the stories he tells in his 1961 book “Spencer’s Mountain” occurred. The book became the basis of the series. Before the TV series, there was also a movie, “Spencer’s Mountain,” starring Henry Fonda and Maureen O’Hara.
Schuyler is located in Nelson County, Virginia, given the alias of Jefferson County in the series. In an odd coincidence, is my son-in-law Mark Spencer is from this exact area, and he and my daughter live in Schuyler, which my GPS pronounces in an odd manner. He is unsure if his name is connected in some manner to the story.
The iconic John-Boy in the TV Show was based on the real life of Hamner himself, who died in 2016. He was creator, executive producer, and warm narrative voice of the long-running series. His early aspirations were embodied in the life of John-Boy.
Before the series, Hamner began writing for radio and TV programs in New York, notably The Today Show, and in1961 became a contributor of scripts to The Twilight Zone, hosted by Rod Serling. Hamner was named “Virginian of the Year” in 1975 and also was inducted into the “Virginia Communications Hall of Fame” in 1993.
The TV Series won too many awards to mention, but just a few—The Waltons won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in 1973; and in 1973 Richard Thomas won the Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series as John-Boy. Theseries itself earned a prestigious Peabody Award for its first season. In the museum is John-Boy’s bedroom and desk.
The Hamner family attended the Schuyler Baptist Church aka Walton’s Mountain Church which is recreated in the museum’s church room. The real church is a few hundred feet down the hill from the museum. Next to the church is the building where Hamner’s father, Earl Sr. operated a printing press. It is now a small general store.
Diagonally across from the museum is the Walton/Hamner real Depression Era family home with the old-time vehicle parked in front and a LOVE sign. Hamner’s family was headed by Earl Sr. and his wife Doris Giannini Hamner; they had eight children.
In the museum Exhibit Room there is a model of the Walton Homestead. Directly across the street from the museum is John and Olivia’s B&B with five bedrooms. It offers tours, and has a yellow 1931 Ford Model A coupe historic vehicle on display like the one in the TV show.
Entering the museum, you are inside the auditorium of the Schuyler High School where Hamner graduated in 1940. The school housed grades 1 to 11 until 1955 and then Kindergarten though sixth grade before it closed in 1992.
Inside the auditorium and exhibit rooms are many photos of the actors, actresses and their real life counterparts. As with most TV shows, most filming took place on studio sets, and the town of Walton’s Mountain was built on the back lot lot at Warner Brothers. I have to admit that I had never watched an episode of The Waltons, but it had and still has many followers. According to BBC Radio, “Goodnight, John-Boy” was one of the most common catchphrases of the 1970s.
The Moviola Crab Dolly is on display, used to film 182 episodes of the Waltons. The 500-pound device got its name because it could move sideways as well as forward and backward. This one was also used to shoot such great movies as My Fair Lady, Dirty Harry, Bullitt, The Great Race, and Cool Hand Luke (one of my favorites). The camera used was a 65mm wide-screen TODD-AO camera that weighed over 126 pounds and was only one of four ever made. It was developed by American Optical Company and Mike Todd (husband of Elizabeth Taylor). It was also used to film Cleopatra and Sound of Music.
Other memorabilia of the show itself are on display like the Walton’s Game, Homecoming Autographed Photo, card sheet (only one known complete and worth thousands), and various items based on the TV show.
One of the museum exhibit rooms is the Ike Godsey General Merchandise Room. In the entrance area is the Royal Crown Cola dispenser, Post Office boxes and window, and store shelves.
Next is the Living Room, entranceway with iconic radio and furniture. The Walton Kitchen, and the famous Pony Cart room episode.
Lastly, is the Military Museum. I remember many of the Vietnam era displays since the canned meals and other items were the same that I used during that era while a soldier in the US Army. Also many items from previous and current military eras are also on display including German items.
And to finish up, the memorial bench to the creator and brains behind the Walton’s TV Program.
Museum hours are 10 am to 3:30 pm daily, May through October. It’s open weekends in March, April and November and closed December through February. Admission is $10 for guests over 12 years old and free to children under 11. Parking is free. No animals are allowed except service animals. Cameras and recorders are allowed except during the video presentation.
