Attractions

THURMOND, W.Va. — Historians, history buffs, and preservationists have organized a new historical society in southern West Virginia encompassing the region around the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Unlike many such societies established around smaller communities, the New River Gorge Historical Society will emphasize a broader region, which includes parts of Fayette, Raleigh, … Read more

HICO, W.Va. — Deep in the New River Gorge, the tiny town of Thurmond is drawing global attention. With just four full-time residents, it is technically one of America’s smallest towns, but filmmaker Jillian Howell insists there is nothing lifeless about it. On January 4, 2026, Howell and her all-Appalachia crew will bring Thurmond’s story—and … Read more

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — The Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society has embarked on the restoration of “Chessie 29,” a railcar that served as the mobile office for the president of the C&O Railway and played a hidden role in the Cold War. The nonprofit organization has begun fundraising to restore the iconic mid-century car … Read more

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Every year around Veterans Day, Professor Josh Keck leads his Mountwest Community and Technical College students and other volunteers on a cleanup at Huntington’s forgotten cemetery. There are several prominent burial grounds within the city, including Spring Hill Cemetery and Woodmere Memorial Park. The one Keck brings his volunteers to, however, is … Read more

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The familiar hum of the gold and blue “Personal Rapid Transit” cars has been part of life at West Virginia University for half a century. This fall, the “PRT,” which was the first large-scale automated guideway transit system in the U.S., is celebrating 50 years of service to students, faculty, staff, and … Read more