Historic landmarks and museums in West Virginia offer visitors a fascinating journey through the state’s rich Appalachian heritage, Civil War history, and cultural traditions. From exploring the preserved streets of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park to touring the West Virginia State Museum in Charleston, travelers can discover artifacts, stories, and exhibits that bring the past to life. Other must-see sites include the elegant Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, the iconic Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, and numerous local museums that celebrate coal mining, railroads, and Appalachian folk art. Whether you’re a history buff or a curious traveler, West Virginia’s historic landmarks and museums provide unforgettable insights into the people and events that shaped the Mountain State.
GEORGE TOWN, W.Va. — Finding the monument on a map is difficult enough. Finding it in the steep woodlands is even more challenging. But on a remote hillside at the southeast corner of Marshall County stands a weathered monument that establishes West Virginia’s singular northern panhandle. Some say it’s a place that at least every … Read more
LESTER, W.Va. — Railroad companies in the early 1900s bored six tunnels through Guyandotte Mountain to extract coal from the last undeveloped coalfield in the state. By far the most famous, the tunnel at Jenny Gap roars like a banshee when trains rumble through, though few people now remember why the tunnel gained national notoriety. … Read more
TAMS, W.Va. — Most folks who come across the New Salem Baptist Church in southern West Virginia believe it to be abandoned. In cosmetic disrepair and seemingly far from any habitation, it routinely evokes strong feelings among the visitors who happen across it and share their fascination on social media. However, the church has not … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Some of the most common requests fielded by the Council for West Virginia Archaeology come from members of the public who have found what may or may not be an archaeological site. Invariably, there’s a lot of excitement as the mystery of the site begins to take hold. How old might it … Read more
CEREDO, W.Va. — On the south side of Main Street in the Town of Ceredo, West Virginia, a small community along the Ohio River in Wayne County, the Ceredo Historical Society Museum is home to a remarkable artifact. The modest, one-room structure at the end of a row of houses is a vital repository for … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Seventeen new historic sites have been added to the National Register of Historic Places in West Virginia in 2023, spanning every corner of the state and including schools, churches, farms, historic districts, and some 379 individual resources. According to data from the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office, they join a growing … Read more
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Western West Virginia’s new children’s museum is expected to contribute to revitalizing Huntington’s West End and benefit families in an area where such advantages were traditionally few. Tosha Pelfrey, president of the board of the Huntington Children’s Museum, says she wanted to establish the museum where it could provide opportunities that otherwise … Read more
ELKINS, W.Va. — Davis & Elkins College has announced plans to partner with regionally renowned chef Dale Hawkins and Fish Hawk Hospitality in the operation of Graceland to ensure the continuity of the landmark property. The partnership will preserve the landmark structure’s historical significance and its connection with Davis & Elkins College at Elkins, West … Read more
DUNLOW, W.Va. — The small, unincorporated community of Dunlow on WV-152 in southern Wayne County typically does not stir interest among passersby. Drive too fast, and you’ll miss its one significant landmark—a near-perfectly preserved train station sitting alone in an empty field. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in April, the Dunlow Norfolk … Read more
GREENVILLE, W.Va. — I rarely have the opportunity to show my daughters a back-road attraction in West Virginia that they haven’t seen before. They’ve joined me on hundreds of adventures to remarkable places both on and off the beaten track. Each carries a W.Va. Gazetteer in her car and is usually up for a day … Read more
