Historic Sites & Museums in West Virginia
West Virginia offers many historic sites, treasures, landmarks and museums that celebrate the history, culture, art, science, industry and cultural diversity of the Mountain State. From Civil War battlefields to the West Virginia Railroad Museum, West Virginia is alive with history, beauty, artistry and legacy. Each museum and historic site reflects the wide spectrum of culture, ethnicity, history, and geography that tells the wonderful story of West Virginia and Mountaineer Country. [
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State Capitol Complex of Charleston / West Virginia State Museum
The West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston is a classical building made of beautiful Indiana limestone and tons of steel. The capitol building's magnificent 293-foot 14k gold-leaf dome - five feet higher than the dome of the U.S. Capitol - is a historic landmark on the Charleston skyline. The Capital's stunning marble interior features 333 rooms and the West Virginia State Museum, which stages historic exhibits and art in the Cultural Center galleries. Overlooking the Kanawha River, the Governor's Mansion is a stately Georgian Revival mansion built in 1925. The Capitol Complex offers fun events, concerts and touring exhibits. [
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Civil War Battlefields/Harpers Ferry National Park
West Virginia's Civil War history comes to life through its historic battlefields. The War exploded in West Virginia with the seizure of Harpers Ferry in 1859. Union and Confederate governments fought for West Virginia's farms, resources, and strategic sections of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. In the Shenandoah Valley, West Virginia's Confederate General "stonewall" Jackson was a strong force, defeating Union troops at Harpers Ferry. With the battles at White Sulphur Springs and Droop Mountain in 1863, the Confederates were pushed out. Explore West Virginia's Civil War Discovery Trail to: Rich Mountain Battlefield Civil War Site, Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park, Lewisburg National Register Historic District and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, site of abolitionist John Brown's 1859 raid on the First Federal Arsenal. [
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Capitol Music Hall
Located in Wheeling, the beautiful and historic Capitol Music Hall presents exciting entertainment, concerts, shows and events. From Jamboree USA on Saturday night with the top artists of country music to national Broadway productions, Capitol Music Hall is West Virginia's most famous entertainment complex. Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride and many country music legends have walked under the red marquee, and crooned to packed balconies. Nearly 80 years after fans first entered the brass-trimmed doors and Art Deco lobby, Capitol Music Hall has presented the country's greatest classical musicians, pop stars, and theater and dance troupes on its historic stage. Visit www.capitolmusichall.org. [
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Cathedral State Park
A National Historic Landmark, Cathedral State Park is one of the most famous old-growth forests in all of North America. The Park contains the only stand of mixed virgin timber remaining in West Virginia, 133 acres of trees up to 100 feet in height and 21 feet in circumference and over 170 species of vascular flora. Explore miles of well marked nature and hiking trails, as well as picnic areas and a playground. [
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Children''s Museum of the Ohio Valley
Located in Wheeling, Children''s Museum of the Ohio Valley is a spirited place for kids with lots of interactive activities and hands-on exhibits on science, art, literature and history. The museum stimulates the intellectual and creative pursuit of learning through hands-on play with puppets, costumes, blocks, and glue. See the imaginations and creativity of children take flight at hands-on educational exhibits, such as The Art Box, Puzzle Math, Puppet Theater, K.I.D Construction, the Lego Bar and Where in our World? Visit www.cmovkids.org. [
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Castle Halloween Museum
Get spooked and celebrate the spirit of Halloween at the Castle Halloween Museum in Benwood, WV, featuring 15,000 Halloween artifacts. Housed in an old brick school building, the macabre museum features the most complete collection of Halloween memorabilia in the world - from 1860 to present day - including figurines, antique postcards, folk art pieces, old Victorian dolls, costumes, old signs and advertising pieces from Halloween products. Get a glimpse of TV and movie memorabilia, including a cartoon cell from "charlie brown and the great pumpkin," Harry Potter characters painted onto organ pipes, and Grandpa Munster. This historic museum also displays collectibles, statues, figures, and jewelry from the Tim Burton film "A Nightmare Before Christmas." [
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West Virginia Railroad Museum
Located in Elkins, the West Virginia Railroad Museum is a cultural and historic resource that preserves and exhibits significant objects and artifacts that share the story of West Virginia''s railroad heritage. The collection displays significant locomotives, rolling stock, artifacts, photographs and memorabilia related to railroads and railroading in West Virginia. Certain pieces of equipment are restored and operated throughout the year to demonstrate steam, gasoline, and diesel technology and provide a real-life experience of the sights and sensations of a train ride. The Museum celebrates the spirit of West Virginia''s railroad heritage through educational programs, operations, and historic railroad equipment, structures, and engineering. Visit www.wvrailmuseum.com. [
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West Virginia State Farm Museum
The West Virginia State Farm Museum offers a collection of artifacts and historic building that interpret the heritage of West Virginia farming, agriculture, and industry. Explore the beautiful grounds which feature historic buildings, log cabins, an early farmhouse, an herb garden, an operational 19th century blacksmith shop, a carpenter's house, turn-of-the-century doctor''s and newspaper offices, George Summers House, Mission Ridge Schoolhouse, and the first Lutheran Church west of the Allegheny Mountains. The Greene Building, which houses the main artifact collection, displays thousands of artifacts highlighting farm life in West Virginia for over a hundred years and a large collection of antique farm machinery and farm implements. Visit www.wvfarmmuseum.org. [
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Huntington Museum of Art & Conservatory
Located on 52 wooded acres, Huntington Museum of Art is celebrated for its masterful collections of American, European and Asian art, Near Eastern objects, glass, silver and antique firearms. The American Collection encompasses paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, glass, folk art, decorative arts and culture objects, as well as small collections of Native American works from North, Central and South America. The collection of European painting, sculpture, drawings and prints span from the mid-16th century to the mid-20th century. The Museum's Conservatory contains non-native plants, two scenic nature trails, Steelman Butterfly Garden, Museum Shop, specials events and tours. The Museum hosts the Hilltop Festival in September and Huntington Museum of Art Ball in February. Visit www.hmoa.org. [
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Morgantown History Museum
Located in the rolling hills of West Virginia's Mountaineer Country, Morgantown History Museum features free exhibits and artifacts that preserve the area's rich mountain customs, crafts and old-world style. Exhibits include General Woodworking, Seneca Glass, Summers Printing Press Met Theater, and Morgan Shirt Factory. [
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West Virginia Historical Art Collection and Regional History Collection
Located on the WVU Downtown Campus, the West Virginia and Regional History Collection is the largest historical archives and library relating to West Virginia in existence. The Collection features books, newspapers, photographs, census records and the finest collection of early field recordings of folk music in existence - dating back to the 1930s and 1940s. These recordings document traditions, performance techniques and repertoires that go back to the 19th century. The collection features examples of vocal music and instrumental music of the guitar, fiddle, banjo, dulcimer, and other instruments. Musical genres include ballads, songs, dance music, and hymns. [
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 | Ramada Hotels in West Virginia | 1-800-272-6232 |  |
With friendly hotels throughout West Virginia - from Charlestown to Morgantown - Ramada Hotels offer comfortable, contemporary accommodations, impeccable service, preferred travel amenities and extra-value rates. Whether you are touring historic battlefields and parks, art museums, or the State Capitol, Ramada Hotels of West Virginia are surrounded by the Mountain State's rich history, culture and art.
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