Studying our shared industrial past is one thing...actually visiting industrial sites is something else altogether.  Many important sites are off-limits or too dangerous for public viewing.  However, a number of historic sites and structures relating to IA are easily accessible to the public in West Virginia.  Below are a few, but there are many others.  This list will be expanding soon.

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine & Coal Camp

Providing underground mine tours since 1962. Guided by experienced coal miners, visitors can ride a mantrip into a drift mine 900 feet underground. There presentations of the early mining era provide insight into the pick-and-shovel days of West Virginia coal mining. Outside, a coal camp comprised of restored buildings from surrounding communities in Southern West Virginia includes a superintendent’s house, a church, a school house, a typical miner’s house, and a shanty. Beckley, WV 25802. Phone: (304) 256-1747 Fax: (304) 256-1798

Located in Milton, W.Va. this celebrated glass company was founded in 1893. Join the thousands who visit the Blenko Glass Company, its Visitor Center, and gift shop. The visitor center is open seven days a week, and the observation deck is open Mon-Fri 8:00 am to 3:15 pm. (304) 742-9081 .

Caboose Museum (Ole No. 307)

The historic Old Virginian Railway Caboose No. 307 has found a home in Mullens, West Virginia. This caboose served as an office for conductors and brakemen during countless runs transporting coal from the southern W.Va. coal fields. It is open by request. Contact Jack Feller at (304) 294-4004.

Features Logging tools, sawmill equipment, logger shoes, employment records, pictures, Civil War artifacts and weapons, train lights and whistles. Cass Depot. PO Box 44, Cass WV 24927. (304) 456-4300.

The Museum has railroad memorabilia and photographs. Special tours arranged for schools, clubs, etc. Decorated for Halloween the last two weeks of October. 935 7^th Avenue, Huntington, WV 25702-2313. (304) 522-5146.

COMER Museum at WVU

The museum, housed in WVU’s College of Engineering in Morgantown, contains a variety of artifacts from the history of coal mining including a pneumatic undercutting machine from the turn of the century. Open by appointment. (304) 293-4211.

Outdoor exhibit of a variety of vehicles and agricultural implements, most dating from the early twentieth century. Restaurant and general store adjacent. Open 6:30 am - 11:00 pm seven days a week Free admission. Located twenty miles east of Grafton on US Route 50. (304) 454-9511.

Outdoor train exhibit 1840-1850 and amusement park trains with ½ mile of tracks. Indoor exhibits focus on artifacts from the early twentieth century. Rt. 3 Box 315 Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. (304) 535-2291 or (304) 535-2521.

History museum housed in a hewn log structure that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps back in the 1930s. Features rifles, axes, pistols, and Indian artifacts. PO Box 857 Ansted, WV 25812. (304) 658-5196.

Historical and Preservation Society housed in rustic 1871 Betler Cabin with no electric and no phone. Collection of Swiss immigrant memorabilia, agricultural tools used in Helvetia, furniture of Swiss design, and a small hand-built threshing machine. Visit also the Beekeeper Inn, the library, and restaurant. General Delivery, Helvetia, WV 26224. Restaurant (304) 924-6435.

Historic rail village features an old steam locomotive with attached tinder car, 1925 Pullman sleeping car, and B&O freight and passenger depot. Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District, PO Box 2985, Huntington WV 25728-2985. (304) 696-5954.

Features the Dean collection of firearms, nineteenth and twentieth century American glass, pre-Columbian ceramics, ten thousand volume library of astronomy, art, and nature, Susan Punch exhibit and C. Fred Edwards Conservatory. Closed Mondays. 233 McCoy Road, Huntington WV 25701. (304) 529-2701. Fax (304) 529-7447.

Nineteenth century farm implements and blacksmith shop, agricultural tools and items, grist- and sawmilling equipment, and general store. Thurs. - Sun.10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tours every hour on the hour. State 4-H Conference Center, P.O. Drawer 670, Weston WV 26452. (304) 269-5100 or fax (304) 269-3409.

Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum

Located in a restored Victorian schoolhouse, the museum features a guided toiur, interactive displays, an operating O guage train layout, gift shop and snack bar. Displays added in 2000 include the old Wheeling B&O caboose and pieces from the Paul Eckler collection of railroad artifacts and memorabilia. October hours are 10:00 am - 6:00 pm daily; closed Tuesdays. 144 Kruger Street, Wheeling, W.Va., (304) 242-8133.

Tools and equipment used in the early oil and gas industry and related industries such as forest products, railroads, equipment manufacturing, and refineries. Many historic photographs, documents, and other artifacts are on display. 119 3^rd Street, Parkersburg, W.Va. (304) 458-5446.

Trolley cars from the 1920s and earlier are on display. An exhibit of then and now photos is entitled "The changing landscape across Pennsylvania." Open since 1963. Admission price includes a ride on a historic trolley. Located north of Washington PA. Take I-79 to the Meadowlands exit. The museum is just off of North Main Street. Open Saturday and Sunday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. Last trolley leaves at 4:00 pm. (877) PA-TROLLEY

Day-long and three-hour excursion trains run from early May to the end of October from Romney, W.Va. with convenient access to U.S. Route 50. Fares range from $10 to $89. (304) 424-0736.

Nineteenth century Smith house, out building, blacksmith shop and barns. Features a collection of farm machinery, farm utensils, household tools and utensils, buggies, and manuscript collection. PO Box 296, Lost Creek WV 26385. Open Wed.-Sat., 11:00 am - 7:00 pm. (304) 745-3081.

West Virginia Independence Hall

Visit the place where our state was born, the old Wheeling Custom House. Built in 1859, the building has been restored to its 1860s appearance. It houses many exhibits including the new "West Virginia: Born of the Civil War," plus many historic views and artifacts related to the early history of the region and the birth of the state. 16^th and Market St. Wheeling. (304) 238-1300.

At West Virginia University, the West Virginia Collection is an archive of special collections including books, documents, photographs, and other artifacts related to our state and its people. It is located on the second floor of the library at Coleson Hall. (304) 293-3536.

Thousands of farm items from the nineteenth and twentieth century are on display. Many have been restored and are used for demonstrations. October 7^th and 8^th features the Fall Country Festival with a steam and gas engine show. Closed Mondays. Rt. 1 Box 479, Point Pleasant. (304) 675-5737.

A valuable resource rests near the banks of the Kanawha River in Charleston. The W.Va. State Archives contain countless photographs, films, books and other documents related to West Virginia and its people. The W.Va. State Museum houses thousands of artifacts related to the history of the state, its people, and industry. (304) 558-0220

Wheeling Artisan Center

The center, housed in the restored Gee Electric building in downtown Wheeling, contains many historic signs, photos, and advertisements from Wheeling’s past and an informative exhibit exploring the lives and work of several immigrants to the city. The building also houses a brew-pub restaurant, local crafts, the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation, and Wymer’s General Store Museum. 1400 Main St. (304) 232-3087

Located on the second floor of the Artisan Center, Betty June Wymer’s museum contains thousands of artifacts and antiques collected over the years including many tools, early home appliances, photographs, and toys. 1400 Main Street, Wheeling, (304) 232-1810.

Did we leave your site or destination off of our list? Did we get any information wrong? If so, E-mail IHTIA webmaster Michael Caplinger.  With your help, we can make this page grow into a comprehensive guide to IA sites and artifacts in West Virginia and the surrounding region.