We have a single entry in our STUFF TO DO post this week. There’s plenty going on this weekend with FestivALL in full swing, but we’re just going to focus on one event.

On June 25 at The West Virginia Museum of Music, located on the second floor of The Charleston Town Center, an exhibit of photographs from the historic Skyline Bluegrass Festival will open, with a reception fro 3 PM to 5 PM.

The opening of the exhibit will feature speakers and perfromances by members of The Putnam County Pickers and Duffy Boyd, both groups that performed at the original festival.

The Skyline Bluegrass Festival was held in Ronceverte, in Greenbrier County, from 1976 to 1985. It was one of the largest bluegrass gatherings in the Eastern US, attracting 10,000 to 15,000 people each year. Performers included legends like Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Ralph Stanley and The Osborne Brothers, as well as then-newcomers like John Prine, Bela Fleck, John Hartford, New Grass Revival and many more.

West Virginia performers included Richard Hefner and the Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys, The Putnam County Pickers, Ramp Supper Band, Trapezoid, and Plank Road String Band.

Pat Bauserman served as the stage manager and emcee and was the only photographer onstage for the festival’s entire run. Bauserman and The West Virginia Music Hall of Fame have collaborated on this exhibit of photos and memorabilia documenting this important piece of West Virginia music heritage.

The exhibit was created with assistance from The WV Humanities Council, The Hamilton Family Fund and the James F.B. Peyton Fund.