Welcome to Grafton, WV

Grafton has made its mark in the heart of Taylor County. Surrounded by stunning hills and trails, Grafton is home to the beautiful Tygart Lake State Park.

When visiting Grafton you are entering the “Memorial City.” Grafton is well known for having the longest ongoing Memorial Day Observance in the United States, celebrating 155 years in 2022. Their Memorial Day celebration shuts down Main Street for the entire weekend, making way for the Spirit of Grafton Festival. A capstone of the festival is the Memorial Day Parade, known for its splendor so grand that it draws in attendees from all over West Virginia. Grafton’s roots are dug deep into the history of our nation. Thornsbury Bailey Brown, of Taylor County, WV, is generally considered the first Union soldier killed by a Confederate soldier during the American Civil War. Anna Jarvis, a Grafton native, arranged the first Mother’s Day observance in 1908 in Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church, now known as the International Mother’s Day Shrine. Grafton is proud to be known today as the home of Mother’s Day and it welcomes all to visit the Anna Jarvis Museum. Another monument of the town’s history is the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad Station that carried passengers between 1911 and 1960. Grafton is a wonderful city for both outdoor enthusiasts and those looking to take it slow. Visit for hiking, boating, kayaking, canoeing, and tubing along one of the many rivers and streams that connect with Tygart Lake. Head downtown and catch a visiting art exhibit at Gallery 62 West. Finally, stop by the Arts and Treasures Makers Market which shows off the many talents of Grafton and West Virginia natives. You’ll be sure to find a unique piece of Grafton to call your own.