Brandon Kirk Selected as Executive Director of Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum

PIKEVILLE, KY (March 24, 2025) – The Board of Directors of the Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum have selected Brandon Kirk as their new executive director. Kirk, a Lincoln County, WV native, has taught for 25 years in public schools in West Virginia and Tennessee, before teaching higher education for 12 years. He has a passion for the history and culture of Appalachia and is excited to bring that passion to the Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum. Kirk said, “history, culture, and tourism are a part of the future economic development and a new economy for Pike County and the region.”

Kirk has worked extensively with West Virginia Congressman Ken Hechler’s Congressional Papers, partnered with West Virginia Hillbilly editor Jim Comstock, and archived the papers of CBS executive Bob Tamplin. A close associate of the late John Hartford, Kirk co-authored the Ed Haley biography and assisted with the Grammy Award-winning soundtrack O Brother, Where Art Thou?. In his free time, Kirk enjoys “cemetery hunting” which includes photographing and mapping cemeteries. While mapping, he works with government agencies to get headstones for veterans that do not have one. Kirk also enjoys reading books about regional history and travelling to historical sights. He mentioned that sometimes he travels to tour and photograph old homes and writes about the area and its history.

Kirk is a graduate of Marshall University with a Master of Arts in History, and a published author of Blood in West Virginia: Brumfield v. McCoy. Kirk plans to bring his experience and passion to fruition here in eastern Kentucky. Kirk has a website where he collects history and displays it for readers to learn more about the history of the area. His research and writings including old-time music and Appalachian feuds, have led to him being published in the Smithsonian Magazine and The New Yorker.

“This is a chance to not just research and write, but to also do, build, contribute to the community, and be a part of a winning team,” Kirk emphasized. He has many plans for the Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum, including broadening the collection to include more parts of the Big Sandy Valley, expanding the collection of Hatfield and McCoy artifacts, adding an old-time music collection, building an oral history collection, and including old work materials, tools, papers, and photos from locals in the community to keep the history of the Big Sandy region alive for generations. Kirk noted that there is a lot that has been done, and so much more to do.

Kirk is excited to meet and work with more people in the community who believe in heritage tourism, as he works to grow the history and preservation of Appalachian.

If you are interested in speaking to Kirk about old work materials, tools, papers, or photos that you are open to loaning or donating to the Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum, you can reach him at 606.766.1025 or email director.pikekymuseum@gmail.com.

Situated on the top floor of the Pike County Hall of Justice at 172 Division Street in downtown Pikeville, the Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum is committed to preserving the rich history of the Big Sandy River Valley. Its exhibits highlight key historical themes, including the Hatfield and McCoy Feud and the American Civil War. The museum welcomes visitors Monday and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.bigsandyheritage.com.

Whether you're a history enthusiast or a curious traveler, the Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum provides a captivating journey through the events and stories that have shaped the Big Sandy Valley.