David Sibray
The West Virginia University Mountaineer is not just a mascot: it’s a symbol of West Virginia history and identity embraced throughout the Mountain State. Rosemary Hathaway, folklorist and associate professor of English in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, explores the spirit of the Mountaineer in her new book, Mountaineers Are Always Free. Published … Read more
A railroad coursing through a community in the Mountain State is no rarity, but the line that runs through the heart of downtown Saint Marys, West Virginia, is so remarkable that it’s become a tourist attraction, says the town’s mayor. “It’s certainly something to see tracks and a train running right through the middle of … Read more
The result of a collaboration among Safari Helicopters, Carbon Fiber Composites, and the Robert C. Byrd Institute at Marshall University, a new helicopter is now commercially available and has made its first sales. Brian Alley, owner of Carbon Fiber Composites, in Ona, near Barboursville, West Virginia, says its unique composite construction is rare and expedites … Read more
Each season the staff at West Virginia Explorer asks a photographer to help us express the beauty of West Virginia. This year we’ve asked Jesse Thorton to provide us his take on autumn. Much of Thornton’s work is for sale on his website, Reflection in a Pool. Wreck of remarkable aircraft may remain in the … Read more
The Parkinson Forest at Bethany College has been added to the national Old-Growth Forest Network—the eleventh site in West Virginia to be included and the first in the state’s northern panhandle. Joan Maloof, Ph.D., founder of the Old-Growth Forest Network, said the forest was ideally suited to the network. “In each county, we look for … Read more
The Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia saw their first snowfall last night, and officials at the ski resort on Snowshoe Mountain say that’s a good sign. At the second-highest summit in the Mountain State, the resort is set to open its ski areas November 22, and spokesperson Shawn Cassell says enthusiasm for the next season … Read more
Governor Jim Justice announced today that West Virginia’s tourism industry grew for the second consecutive year in 2018. The two-year growth trend reverses years of decline and outpaces national growth by 58 percent, he said. The finding comes from yearly economic impact research released just on the heels of the industry’s annual Governor’s Conference on … Read more
Making more snow than ever before, Snowshoe Mountain will open for skiing and snowboarding on November 22, weather permitting. Overnight temperatures are already dipping into the 30s in the Alleghenies, and resort officials are feeling confident following upgrades to the mountain’s snowmaking system. “We invested nearly $4 million into our snowmaking system in 2018, and … Read more
The return of autumn could result in an end-of-season boom for whitewater rafting on the Gauley River, the legendary West Virginia destination for paddling in fall. “I expect that after temperatures cool off, we could see a more traditional Gauley season,” says Heather Johnson, co-owner of River Expeditions. “It’s been a beautiful fall, but I … Read more
West Virginia University is expanding its presence in Charleston, West Virginia, leasing two floors in Equities House, a central downtown office building that will become home to several university offices. President Gordon Gee lauded the university’s move secure its presence in the state’s capital city. “Charleston is the business and cultural heart of West Virginia,” … Read more
