Art and History in Mountaineer Country, WV
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Performing Arts, Art Galleries, Artist Venues, and Local History in North Central West Virginia
Mountaineer Country offers tremendous opportunities to immerse yourself into the arts, history, and one-of-a-kind gems for your bucket list. From exploring unique museums to discovering hidden cultural treasures, there’s something for every curious traveler. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or a history buff, the region promises unforgettable experiences that will leave you inspired.
THE ARTS
IN MOUNTAINEER COUNTRY
Mountaineer Country is an art lover’s paradise, and at the heart of the region’s creativity are the artists, performers, and creators that live and work here.
With more than a dozen galleries to explore, you’ll be astonished by the area’s array of art, including traditional and contemporary painting, photography, pottery, sculpture, and textiles. Community theater groups offer fans a never-ending showcase of dramatic plays, musicals, and comedic performances.
Plan your stay with help from the Public Art Passport available at https://visitmountaineercountry.com/greater-morgantown-public-art-passport/.
Art Museum of WVU
Browse the collection of more than 4,000 works in paint, in print, on paper, and carved in clay at the Art Museum of WVU located on Fine Arts Drive on WVU’s Evansdale Campus. The museum is committed to bringing the world’s great artistic traditions to Mountaineer Country while showcasing the talents and practices of artists who have called West Virginia home.
WVU Canady Creative Arts Center
Big name acts often perform on the WVU Canady Creative Arts Center stage, and the space is also the home of the West Virginia Public Theatre. The center is located on the University’s Evansdale campus, a stone’s throw from the WVU Art Museum. Check out the Mesaros Gallery in the Douglas O. Blaney Lobby to view the impressive works of WVU’s Master of Fine Arts students.
Ruby Amphitheater at the Hazel Ruby McQuain Park
Rising stars performing at the Ruby Amphitheater are rivaled by–the stars! The outdoor venue is ideally situated on the riverfront and hosts popular summer concert series and family-friendly celebrations.
Metropolitan Theatre
The Metropolitan Theatre was dubbed “West Virginia’s most beautiful playhouse” when it opened to the public in 1924. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, is still beloved by the community, and continues to host live performances all year.
Monongalia Arts Center
The nonprofit community-driven Monongalia Arts Center is located in a beautifully restored post office built in 1913 and designed in the Beaux-Arts classical style. There are two galleries within the center and a small historic theater. Events, art workshops, and classes are offered throughout the year.
HISTORIC PLACES
IN MOUNTAINEER COUNTRY
Not far from these parts, you can walk in the footsteps of the great George Washington, visit pre-revolutionary forts, and stand in the middle of significant Civil War battlefields
From the nation’s first homestead community following the devastating years of The Great Depression to important military sites highlighting soldiers who fought in every battle this country has faced, history lives on here. It colors a rich history that’s as resilient as her people. Â
Arthurdale New Deal Homestead Museum
As part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation in the early 1930s, resettlement communities popped up around the country. The first was Arthurdale here in Mountaineer County, built in the hills of Preston County. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt nurtured the community and often visited, earning Arthurdale the nickname “Eleanor’s Little Village.” Today, you will find 160 homesteads, a sampling of community buildings, and a museum preserved and celebrated as a National Historic District.
Lady of the Pines Church
If your bucket list includes visiting the smallest church in the Lower 48, plan to visit Lady of the Pines Church in Parsons. There is room for just 12 faithful in the tiny church’s six pews. The entire building measures only 24 feet by 12 feet. Sign the guest book before leaving and go to the Silver Lake post office next door, the world’s smallest.
Battle of Rowlesburg on Cannon Hill
Cannon Hill was a strategic site during the Civil War, used to protect the main supply line of the B&O Railroad. Self-guided tours are available, and guided tours can be arranged in advance.
Prickett’s Fort State Park
History buffs are in for a treat with a visit to Prickett’s Fort State Park in Marion County. Relive the pioneering spirit in the 18th-century recreation of the original Prickett’s Fort, which provided a place of refuge from Native American attacks. Tours feature costumed interpreters demonstrating various colonial skills and conveying the fort’s fascinating history. The day-use park is just north of Fairmont.
Grafton National Cemetery
The Grafton National Cemetery encompasses 3.5 acres in Taylor County and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It first opened in 1868 and contains the remains of more than 2,000 soldiers. Soldiers from every war—from the Civil War to Vietnam—are buried there.
Greatest Generation WWII Museum
The Greatest Generation WWII Museum in Rowlesburg contains allied and axis artifacts and exhibits from the war. It’s open to visitors on weekends from May to October.
The Mast of the USS West Virginia
Visit a piece of WWII history in the heart of the WVU campus. In front of Oglebay Hall near the Mountainlair, you’ll find the USS West Virginia was bombed and sunk at Pearl Harbor in the early morning of December 7, 1941. A student effort in 1961 brought the recovered ship’s mast to Memorial Plaza on campus.
Covered Bridges
Covered bridges are an endearing part of the state’s history, and there are a few in Mountaineer Country that shouldn’t be missed. The longest, at 285 feet, and oldest bridge in West Virginia is the Philippi Covered Bridge in Barbour County. The second-longest is Carrollton Covered Bridge in Volga, just a few miles away. Also, check out the Simpson Covered Bridge in Bridgeport, the Barrackville Covered Bridge in Marion County, and the Dents Run Covered Bridge outside Morgantown.
History Festivals
Festivals focused on history are the gemstones of Mountaineer Country. If you’re in town over Labor Day, stop in for the Rowlesburg Ox Roast. The New Deal Festival in Arthurdale is held in July, and Memorial Day at Prickett’s Fort State Park is a local favorite.
ONE-OF-A-KIND GEMS IN MOUNTAINEER COUNTRY
Much of Mountaineer Country’s history centers around small, rural communities, so it’s no surprise there are so many one-of-a-kinds in the area. Make plans to seek out the cool, the unique, and the true bucket list-worthy sites unlike any other.
JFK Memorial
President John F. Kennedy left his mark on Mountaineer Country when he announced his intent to enter the 1960 West Virginia primary while visiting Star City. The impressive memorial honoring his memory is 27 feet wide, consisting of three tall granite pillars with bronze statues of JFK and a solitary statue of John Jr. saluting his father. The memorial is near the Rail Trail riverfront in Star City.
Don Knotts Statue
The famous actor Don Knotts was born and raised in Morgantown, graduating from one of the local high schools and then West Virginia University in 1948. He died in 2006, and 10 years later, the Morgantown community unveiled a statue in his honor on High Street in front of the Metropolitan Theater. It’s become a must-see for locals and visitors alike and a great spot for a selfie.
Jerry West and Hot Rod Hundley Statues
Jerry West and Hot Rod Hundley were products of the West Virginia University basketball program. Both men landed in the NBA after college and are honored in Morgantown with bronze statues completed by local artist Jamie Lester. The life-size statues stand outside the WVU Coliseum on Monongahela Boulevard.