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.
One of the last coal camps that remain in the coalfields near Beckley, West Virginia, has been found eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, according to a spokesman for the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia. Once a mining boom-town, Helen, with a population of nearly 125 residents, was determined eligible for … Read more
On April 13, Dr. Kelli Shapiro will present “The Evolution of the West Virginia Movie Theatre” in the Archives & History Library at the Culture Center in Charleston, West Virginia. Based on her 2018 book for Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series, Historic Movie Theatres of West Virginia, Shapiro’s lecture covers the evolution of movie theaters … Read more
More than 30,000 visitors now tour the old West Virginia Penitentiary at Moundsville every year, and officials say traffic is expected to increase as the landmark enters its 23rd year as a tourist attraction. Suzanne Park, executive director of the Moundsville Economic Development Council, says expanding media coverage and a concerted effort to market the … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Until 1834, nearly every residence in the Kanawha Valley near present-day Charleston was built of hewn timbers. Then along came James Craik, whose Greek Revival home, counted among the state’s best examples of Greek Revival architecture, still stands. Now a museum, an afternoon at the residence, “Elm Grove,” also known as the … Read more
Legendary springs across West Virginia are attracting new audiences among health-conscious people longing for a return to simpler times. Once supposed curative, “healing” springs have attracted travelers in search of better health since the 1700s, says Jonathan Bellingham, whose family has managed Capon Springs for four generations. Now, these bubbling springs—which notably include Capon and … Read more
A recent study of the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia’s AmeriCorps program suggests its heritage tourism programming is an important economic engine for West Virginia, according to Danielle Parker, executive director for the alliance. The study found that more than half of travelers who visit the program’s heritage sites traveled from more than 50 miles … Read more
There’s often no time to waste when rescuing a historic landmark, which is why West Virginia’s Preservation Alliance is expanding its endangered-properties program to accept nominations and provide assistance year-round. The alliance will continue to publish its anticipated list of endangered properties annually, but staff will now provide assistance as soon as submissions are approved, … Read more
Now open year-round to visitors seeking solace, the Rippling Waters Chapel at Romance, in southern Jackson County, West Virginia, continues to attract more visitors every year. Undoubtedly because of its location near the village of “Romance,” the little church has also become a popular venue for weddings, according to Kim Brittain, manager for the Rippling … Read more
This fall, visitors to the historic ghost town of Thurmond, West Virginia, will encounter more than ghosts. They’ll encounter goats. The National Park Service at the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is implement a plan to use goats to treat invasive plants among its historic buildings, according to ranger Dave Bieri. “Resource managers … Read more
Widely considered one of the most important railroading landmarks in the U.S., the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad complex at Martinsburg exemplifies the form-follows-function principal of building design. It’s beautiful, and it’s practical. In my opinion, it’s also one of the most stupendous buildings in the world. According to Mark Jordan, executive director of the Berkeley … Read more
