Join us for a family festival on opening day of the exhibit. Learn more about the exhibit below:

The story begins 450 million years ago.

Virginia was a tropical ocean during the Ordovician period 450 million years ago. Life was dominated by aquatic animals with hard bodies and shells rich in calcium carbonate. As these animals died, their bodies built up on the ocean floor and were compressed into layers of limestone.

What's so special about these limestone layers?

The finest iron-free spring waters eminate from limestone. In Kentucky, this water is used to distill bourbon whiskey. The exhibit will discuss why the water works so well for distillation as well as how distillation works.

What does this mean for Virginia?

This exhibit explores Virginia's geology and describes how the water is so perfect for distillation. The exhibit features a variety of information and artifacts, including moonshine stills and equipment. When bootleggers ran their moonshine, they modified everyday automobiles in an effort to outrun the law. On weekends, bootleggers raced their high octane vehicles. What was the outcome of this activity? NASCAR! "Rocks to Racing" will outline the connection between geology, distillation, and one of America's most popular sports.