The federal government has designated Wilkes County as part of the Blue Ridge National Heritage area.  The Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame has been created at the Wilkes Heritage Museum in Wilkesboro, North Carolina and is a groundbreaking initiative, partnering with Wilkes Community College, representatives of Merlefest and scholars, historians and musicians from within the community, state and nation.  As a supplement to the Hall of Fame, the Wilkes Heritage Museum plans to have educational outreach into the schools with programs on the Blue Ridge area music heritage.  The Museum has a room dedicated to musical instruments with panels telling the story of music in the Blue Ridge area and interactive displays.  The inductees are featured in the main auditorium with displays telling their stories.