West Virginia offers many historic landmarks and sites worth visiting for anyone interested in history, outdoor recreation or simply discovering new places. Here are a few that won’t let you down!
Explore Matewan Historic District and gain insight into coal mining, the Hatfield-McCoy feud, and more by touring its historic district and replica museum – Matewan Depot replica museum is also worth your while!
1. Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park
Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park lies in the central mountains, marking the site of a skirmish between Union forces and Confederate troops that precipitated West Virginia’s formation. A part of the Civil War Discovery Trail spanning 16 states, this park preserves both battlefields as well as Henry Patterson House; both became targets during battle reenactments. Summer months provide ideal viewing conditions with living history demonstrations, battle re-enactments, hiking trails overlooking Gauley River as well as living history demonstrations.
Delf Norona Burial Mound offers visitors an intimate glimpse of Adena culture. Constructed around 250 B.C, this multi-level structure stands 62-foot-high. Visitors may explore its on-site museum featuring archaeological artifacts. Matewan Historic District’s coal mining town dating from early 20th century provides more insight into Missouri’s tragic and consequential past.
2. Fort Edwards
After the bloody Braddock campaign of 1755, Virginia decided to construct protective structures along its frontiers as a measure against further violence. Edwardss Fort became a key position during the French and Indian War, eventually being turned into a museum and visitor center operated by a non-profit foundation that preserves and interprets it for future generations.
Hampshire County’s Romney also boasts an active Civil War heritage with 10 military battles (oral tradition claims 40) that changed hands several times, featuring homesteads and town square. Tours can also visit the site of Battle of Romney which features an unfinished Union fort as well as one mile line of trenches to tour.
3. Delf Norona Burial Mound
This 62-foot burial mound, created by the Adena from 250 to 150 BC, stands proudly above all conical-type mounds. Visitors may walk on top and explore an accompanying museum that provides insight into Adena culture.
John Brown’s Fort is also situated at this site and provides refuge to him during slave rebellions; it features a meeting house, 14 cabins and living history interpreters who demonstrate candle-dipping, paper marbling and blacksmithing as part of its amenities.
The complex includes a research facility which provides protection, conservation and interpretation of West Virginia’s archaeological collections. In 1978, The Delf Norona Museum opened as part of this effort to preserve and interpret West Virginia’s past.
4. Harpers Ferry National Military Park
At the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers lies this National Historical Park – one of Virginia’s best-known. Here lies John Brown’s Fort, one of his multiple slave rebellions prior to the Civil War.
Throughout the summer months, this historic park offers live historical demonstrations and battle re-enactments as well as scenic hiking trails and visits to its historic Patterson House.
Antietam National Battlefield was the site of a pivotal Civil War battle, offering visitors an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of thousands of soldiers during that conflict. You can visit its Cold War-era nuclear fallout shelter, schoolhouse which served as General Stonewall Jackson’s command post during battle, historic ruins from water-powered factories as well as Storer College – America’s first segregated college – among many other attractions here.
5. Green Bank Telescope
West Virginia is home to some of the state’s most iconic landmarks, from Bethany College’s historic campus and Alexander Campbell Mansion to Wheeling National Heritage District’s stunning buildings – such as Centre Market and historic government structures – as well as Wheeling Historic Town itself.
Green Bank Observatory houses the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope. Situated within the National Radio Quiet Zone, its surrounding forests and mountains protect it from interference.
Conspiracies surround the observatory, including allegations it can manipulate thunderstorms on command and absorb radio waves out of the atmosphere. Despite such claims, however, the National Science Foundation recently decided to keep Green Bank Telescope open and keep all three telescopes operational.
