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The Life and Times of Mountaineers Experience Mountaineer Heritage! Visit the counties of North Central West Virginia -- Monongalia, Preston, Marion, Harrison and Lewis -- and see that "Mountaineer" is more than just a mascot; it's a way of life that defines the spirit of our ancestors and celebrates their history. Arthurdale, a National Historic District, was created during the Great Depression and guided by Eleanor Roosevelt. This living history site lets you experience first-hand what it was like to live and work in this pioneer community. Visit during the New Deal Festival in July, and be treated to a special appearance by "Eleanor Roosevelt" herself. WVU Jackson's Mill Historic Area, the boyhood home of Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, features an operating gristmill where corn and wheat are still ground, just as they were in the early 1800s. There's also a museum housed in "The Old Mill," the last of the original Jackson family buildings. Daily historical activities vary. In addition to gristmilling, you might see spinning, weaving, basketmaking, log replacement in one of the buildings, or other activities that were a part of early Appalachian frontier life. Collectively, the five counties of "Mountaineer Country" represent the spirit of West Virginia. They depict the rich history of our region. Coal, industry, architecture, historic forts, transportation, African American heritage and nature are just a few of the themes common to all five counties. And it's these themes that tell the story of "Frontiers to Mountaineers." For more information on the "Frontiers to Mountaineers" heritage experience, call 800-458-7373. Mountaineer Destinations The following sites are open most days between Memorial Day and Labor Day and provide substantial interpretation of certain time periods and ways of life. Each site has its own brochure that you may wish to pick up for more detail about what you will experience. Prickett's Fort State Park This historic fort was originally built in 1774 as a refuge fort on the frontier of Virginia. It was reconstructed in 1976 and today costumed interpreters recreate eighteenth century lifestyles through demonstration of colonial crafts. South of the Fort is the 1859 Job Prickett house. The eighteenth century historical reconstruction and original nineteenth century house illustrate the development of an increasingly civilized lifestyle through an 85-year span of time.
Tours of both structures and special events are offered in season. Admission is charged. Call 1-800-CALL WVA or (304) 363-3030 for more information. Two miles off I-79 at Exit 139. Prickett's Fort Memorial Foundation, Route 3, Box 407, Fairmont, WV 26554. www.dmssoft.com/pfort. Fort New Salem This settlement is a collection of relocated log structures representing an early 19th century West Virginia community. Special events and festivals are offered throughout the year including Harvest Festival, Dulcimer Festival, and spirit of Christmas in the Mountains. Early trade crafts and domestic arts are demonstrated at this living history site.
Open to the public from late April through October and the Christmas program. The Fort is open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, after Memorial weekend. Call to verify times. Located 17 miles west of I-79 Exit 119, near Clarksburg, just off US Route 50, exit at State Route 23. Phone: (304) 782-5245 or log onto www.SalemIU.edu. WVU Jackson's Mill Historic Area Boyhood Home of General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson -- Visitors to the Jackson's Mill Historic Area will be introduced to early Appalachian frontier life. The centerpiece is the Jackson's Mill, where young Jackson worked as a boy. While the Old Mill is now a museum, there's an operating gristmill in the historic area, along with a blacksmith's shop, a pair of hand-hewn log cabins, and barn. The Historic Area is part of the 523-acre WVU Jackson's Mill Center for Lifelong Learning. Various historic and educational activities occur during the year, including Civil War reenactments during the annual Stonewall Jackson Jubilee on Labor Day Weekend. Located 2 miles from U.S. 19 between Jane Lew and Weston. From the north, take I-79 south, Exit 105; coming from the south take I-79 north, Exit 99. Open: daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed Mondays. Special weekend hours in the spring and fall. Call 1-800-287-8206 for details. Nominal admission charge. Arthurdale Nation's First New Deal Homestead Community -- Founded in 1934 by Eleanor Roosevelt, Arthurdale gave destitute coal miners and their families a chance at a new life. Roosevelt visited Arthurdale many times, dining with homesteaders, dancing the Virginia Reel, and speaking at graduations. Today, visitors tour the New Deal Homestead museum, a blacksmith's shop, an old-time Esso Station, and the historic Center Hall. Working 1930s homestead with costumed interpreters and friendly farm animals available for tours May through September. Located 20 minutes from Sabraton Exit of I-68. Take Route 7 East to Reedsville, Rt. 92 to Arthurdale. Open: Weekdays year-round 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday noon to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. May -- October. Call (304) 864-3959 or visit the website at www.arthurdaleheritage.org for more information. Admission charged. Mountaineer History The following sites may or may not be open to the public on a regular basis, but they all depict Mountaineer life via agriculture, specific industries and local history. Industry . . . West Virginia Museum of American Glass provides the history of glass and its association with West Virginia. Colorful glass on display as well as interactive exhibits. Located in historic downtown Weston. Seneca Glass Company played a significant role in history of glass production, and its building serves as a fine example of industrial design. Adapted into retail space and restaurants, the building also houses a museum on the glass industry. Seneca Center on Beechurst Ave. in downtown Morgantown. Easton Roller Mill, circa 1870, the mill processed grain from surrounding farms and now serves as a hands-on history lesson. Pristine condition. Call (304) 599-0833. East of Morgantown on WV 119/17. Reckart's Mill, a gristmill built in 1865 by Henry Albright. This three-story post and beam structure spans a creek. Most of the original equipment, including four French millstones and a twenty-foot overshot waterwheel, remains intact. Call (304) 789-2225 or 1-888-478-2324. Located in Cranesville. Scott's Run Museum and Coal Camp Gift Shop celebrates and preserves the history of coal mining and the coal boom in Mountaineer Country. (304) 599-1931. Located on Main Street in Osage. Points of Interest . . . West Augusta Historical Society Museum -- Features the original bed, chair, and dresser of Francis H. Pierpont, first Governor of the restored Government of Virginia after the Civil War. Many antique items including a display of mountain antique musical instruments, Victorian and early school exhibits. Open on Sundays, May -- September 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. or weekdays by appointment. Also, visit the 1800s furnished log house and caboose next to the museum. Ten miles north of Fairmont on Rt. 250 N., P.O. Box 414, Mannington, WV 26582. Phone (304) 986-1089 or (304) 986-2636. West Augusta Historical Society Round Barn -- Unique architecture and engineering houses exhibits including old-fashioned tools and farming equipment dating to the early 1900s. Open on Sundays, May - September from 1:30 - 4:00, or by prior appointment (for groups). Every Thursday from 9:00 - 1:00 p.m. visitors may watch or help the ladies quilt. Ten miles north of Fairmont on Rt. 250 N., on Flaggy Meadow Road, P.O. Box 414, Mannington, WV 26582. Phone (304) 986-1089 or (304) 986-2636. Marion County Museum -- Home of the Marion County Historical Society, located next to the Courthouse on Adams Street in Fairmont. Hours, M-F, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., or by appointment. Also open on Saturdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Period rooms. Tours and scheduled programs on preserving Marion County heritage. Call (304) 367-5398 Watters Smith State Park offers a 532-acre historical park providing a view of agricultural life in Mountaineer Country from 1796 to early 1900s. The Watters Smith farmstead provides an example of how farming developed and changed during the nineteenth century. Located seven miles off of Exit 110 I-79. Call (304) 745-3081. Cathedral State Park is a National Historic Landmark with the State's only stand of mixed virgin timber. The park also features hiking and picnic areas. Located off US Rt. 50 in Aurora. Call 1-800-CALL-WVA or (304) 735-3771. History House, home of the Preston County Historical Society, provides a diverse collection of antiques, memorabilia and photographs pertaining to Mountaineer Country. Located in Terra Alta. (304) 789-2316. Waldomore Museum & Library is a 1839 Greek Revival House on the National Register of Historic Places that houses a genealogy library and collections by and about West Virginians. Located on West Pike Street in Clarksburg. Call (304) 842-7272 for hours. Stealy-Goff-Vance House is an 1891 house from the Victorian era that is the home of Harrison County Historical Society and contains a small collection of books and artifacts related to Mountaineer Country. Open by appointment. Located at 123 West Main Street, Clarksburg. (304) 842-7272. Brookside Inn -- Built in 1859, the Inn was originally constructed as a private home and later used as one of the summer "cottages" for the original Brookside Hotel. On the National Register of Historic Places, this authentic Allegheny mountain lodge overlooks historic Cathedral State Park. Located on Rt. 50 in Aurora. For tours please call in advance during normal business hours as the Inn is also a private residence. (304) 735-6344 or 1-800-588-6344. Central West Virginia Genealogy & History Library -- Organized in 1982, the Hacker's Creek Pioneer Descendants are dedicated to the preservation of the rich history and genealogy of central West Virginia. Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Located just off Rt. 33 East at 23 Abbott Run Road, Horner, West Virginia. Call (304) 269-7091. Mountaineer Cities The Mountaineer region has a rich architectural heritage. Visitors can explore historic districts or seek out nationally significant landmarks. Most of the historic districts have walking tour guide booklets which you can find at the various visitor centers and heritage attractions. Morgantown Downtown Morgantown Historic District, roughly bounded by Chestnut and Spruce Streets between Foundry and Willey Streets. For more information contact 800-458-7373. A wonderful mix of architectural styles primarily from late 19th and early 20th centuries, the downtown retains a vibrant retail base and is within walking distance of the historic West Virginia University Campus, historic wharf district and older residential areas. This is an award-winning Main Street West Virginia community. Some key sites in downtown include: •
Metropolitan Theater, 371 High Street, Neoclassical
Revival. Clarksburg Clarksburg Downtown Historic District, roughly bounded by Elk Creek, 7th and Main Streets. For more information, contact 1-800-368-4324. This downtown has some of the best commercial, urban architecture in the Mountaineer region dating from the 19th and 20th centuries. Other key sites include: • Glen Elk
Historic District, bounded by the railroad tracks, Elk Creek
& N. Clark Street. Kingwood Kingwood Historic District, West Virginia Highway 7. For more information, contact (304) 329-2717. This quaint historic district offers everything from antiques to arts and crafts and homemade ice cream. Kingwood is a Main Street West Virginia community. Other significant sites include: • 1930
Preston County Courthouse, made of pink sandstone
construction, is a good example of the Art Deco style. Weston Weston Downtown Historic District, Main, Center and Court Avenues and 2nd and 3rd Streets. For more information, contact 1-800-296-7329. "Most of the buildings ... were erected during the period of ... 1875 to 1920." The downtown has retained a wonderful architectural uniformity. The Citizen's Bank is one of the nations most impressive Art Deco bank buildings. The exterior and interior are intact. This is a must-see. Others important sites include: • Weston
Colored School, 345 Center Avenue, now being used as the
Visitor's Center. Fairmont Fairmont Downtown Historic District along Jackson, Adams, Ogden, Washington, Cleveland, Quincy and Fairmont Avenues. For more information, contact 1-800-834-7365. One of the many great architectural destinations in Fairmont, "... downtown showcases the development of the commercial core between 1890 and 1930." Includes some of the best urban architecture in the region with "... significant examples of Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque Revival Church architecture." A Main Street West Virginia community. Other sites include: • Historic
Houses located along and near Locust, Benoni, Watson,
Fairmont and Morgantown Avenues. || Order your FREE West Virginia Magazine | Request FREE regional travel information | Locator Map | Back to the top | Take me home ||
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