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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 16, 2022
Contact: Starr Anderson, Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 540-460-1540, starr.anderson@dcr.virginia.gov

Virginia State Parks names new manager for Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park

(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park Manager Gretchen Cope)

RICHMOND – Gretchen Cope has been named the new park manager of the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park in Big Stone Gap.

Cope is not new to the Virginia State Park system, having served for 12 years with Natural Tunnel State Park with the last five years as the park Conference and Events Manager.

"I am thrilled to welcome Gretchen to this leadership position at Southwest Virginia Historical State Park,” said Southwest Region Manager Sharon Buchanan. “She has tremendous energy and passion for Virginia State Parks and the region of Southwest Virginia."

As park manager, Cope will oversee staff, operations and expenditures providing for programs and services to ensure visitor expectations are met. She and park staff are also responsible for protecting the museum building, which is a national historic landmark, as well as the over 60,000 artifacts that are archived at the park, for future generations.

Cope says she was already familiar with the park, but did some research before she applied for the position. The more she found out about the park, the history and the community, the more she knew this was the right fit for her.

“I grew up in a family that loved to be outdoors, camping is one of my first memories, and that became my passion as well,” Cope said. “Having a career that allows me to be outdoors, while also preserving history and serving the community is what drew me to Virginia State Parks and to this current position as park manager.”

Gretchen is excited to continue her career with Virginia State Parks, while staying in Southwest Virginia. Both Gretchen and her husband, who is a sergeant at the correctional facility in Big Stone Gap, grew up in Lee County. They and their two children plan to move to Big Stone Gap so they can be more involved in the community. She started her duties on Jan. 10 and her immediate plans include fostering existing community relations and building additional relationships.

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Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more information about Virginia State Parks’ activities and amenities or to reserve one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.

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