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List of museums in West Virginia facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

West Virginia is home to many amazing museums! These special places collect and take care of interesting objects. They show us things about art, science, history, and different cultures. This list will help you discover some of the cool museums you can visit in West Virginia. We're only talking about real museums you can walk into, not ones that are just online.

Museums to Explore

Name Town/City County Region Type What You'll Find
Adaland Mansion Philippi Barbour Mountaineer Country Historic house A beautiful mansion from the 1870s.
Adam Stephen House Martinsburg Berkeley Eastern Panhandle Historic house Also called General Adam Stephen House. It's right next to the Triple Brick Museum.
African-American Heritage Family Museum Ansted Fayette New River/Greenbrier River Valleys African American Learn about African American history and culture.
Alexander Campbell Mansion Bethany Brooke Northern Panhandle Historic house The early 1800s home of Alexander Campbell, who started Bethany College.
Anna Jarvis Birthplace Museum Webster Taylor Mountaineer Country Historic house The home where Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother's Day, was born.
Ansted Culture and Heritage Museum Ansted Fayette New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Local history Discover the history and culture of Ansted.
Antioch Baptist Church Museum Ansted Fayette New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Local history Explore the history of the local community.
Art Museum of West Virginia University Morgantown Monongalia Mountaineer Country Art A part of West Virginia University with many art exhibits.
The Arts Centre Martinsburg Berkeley Eastern Panhandle Art Features an exhibit gallery for different artworks.
Avampato Discovery Museum Charleston Kanawha Metro Valley Science Part of the Clay Center. It has science exhibits, an art gallery, and a planetarium.
Babcock State Park Clifftop Fayette New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Mill See the historic Glades Creek Grist Mill.
B & O Museum of Wheeling Wheeling Ohio Northern Panhandle Multiple Part of West Virginia Northern Community College. It shows items from the B & O Railroad and old glass pieces.
Barbour County Historical Museum Philippi Barbour Mountaineer Country Local history Learn about the history of Barbour County.
Beauchamp-Newman Museum Elizabeth Wirt Mid-Ohio Valley Local history Run by the Daughters of American Pioneers.
Beckley Exhibition Mine Beckley Raleigh New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Mining Explore an old coal mine and a museum about mining life. It also includes the Youth Museum of Southern WV.
Belle Boyd House Martinsburg Berkeley Eastern Panhandle Local history The family home of Belle Boyd, a spy during the Civil War.
Beverly Heritage Center Beverly Randolph Potomac Highlands Local history Four historic buildings tell stories of the Battle of Rich Mountain and life in the 1800s.
Bice-Ferguson Memorial Museum Shinnston Harrison Mountaineer Country Local history Displays include old room setups and antique telephones.
Birke Art Gallery Huntington Cabell Metro Valley Art An art gallery that is part of Marshall University.
Blenko Glass Visitor Center and Museum Milton Cabell Metro Valley Decorative arts A visitor center that also has a museum about Blenko Glass.
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park Parkersburg Wood Mid-Ohio Valley Local history Features the Blennerhassett Museum and a rebuilt mansion from the early 1800s.
Brooke County Historical Museum Wellsburg Brooke Northern Panhandle Local history Shows exhibits on local industry, early schools, and pioneer life.
Bulltown Historic Area Bulltown Braxton Mountain Lakes Military See the 1863 battlefield of the Battle of Bulltown and 19th-century log homes.
Caboose Museum Mullens Wyoming Southern Local history A museum inside a train caboose.
Campbell-Flannagan-Murrell House Museum Hinton Summers New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Historic house A historic house with interesting exhibits.
Canyon Rim Visitor Center Fayetteville Fayette New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Local history One of the visitor centers for New River Gorge National River. It shares the area's history and nature.
Capon Bridge Museum Capon Bridge Hampshire Potomac Highlands Local history Learn about the history of Capon Bridge.
Carnegie Hall, Inc. Lewisburg Greenbrier New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Art A cultural center with three art galleries.
Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park Summersville Nicholas Mountain Lakes Historic house The 1850s Patterson House Museum has items from the Battle of Carnifex Ferry.
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park Cass Pocahontas Potomac Highlands Railroad Ride a historic train, visit the museum, and see a recreated 1940s logging camp.
Cedar Creek State Park Glenville Gilmer Mountain Lakes School Features the Pine Run One Room School.
Central West Virginia Genealogy and History Library and Museum Weston Lewis Mountain Lakes History A place to learn about local history and family trees.
Ceredo Museum Ceredo Wayne Metro Valley Local history Run by the Ceredo Historical Society.
Chief Logan State Park Logan Logan Metro Valley Multiple Includes a Museum in the Park with changing art and history exhibits.
Children's Museum of the Ohio Valley Wheeling Ohio Northern Panhandle Children's A fun museum designed for kids.
Clarksburg History Museum Clarksburg Harrison Mountaineer Country History Discover the history of Clarksburg.
C & O Depot Museum St. Albans Kanawha Metro Valley Railroad A museum about the C&O railroad.
Coal Heritage Museum Madison Boone Metro Valley Mining Learn about the history of coal mining in the area.
Coal Heritage Trail Interpretive Center Bramwell Mercer New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Mining Explores West Virginia’s coal history.
Contentment Historical Complex Ansted Fayette New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Historic house A mid-1800s home, a schoolhouse, and a museum with old household items.
Cook-Hayman Pharmacy Museum Morgantown Monongalia Mountaineer Country Medical Part of West Virginia University Medical Center. It shows a historic pharmacy.
Country Store and Museum Glenville Gilmer Mountain Lakes History An old general store filled with antiques.
Craik-Patton House Charleston Kanawha Metro Valley Historic house A mid-1800s home run by the Colonial Dames of America.
Daughters of the American Revolution Toll House Museum Barboursville Cabell Metro Valley Local history Learn about local history.
Davis History House Romney Hampshire Potomac Highlands Historic house A 19th-century log house run by the Hampshire County Public Library.
Daywood Gallery Philippi Barbour Mountaineer Country Art An art gallery at Alderson-Broaddus College.
Doddridge County Museum West Union Doddridge Mountaineer Country Local history Discover the history of Doddridge County.
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park Hillsboro Pocahontas Potomac Highlands Military A museum with history and items from a Civil War battle.
Eckhart House Wheeling Ohio Northern Panhandle Historic house A Victorian-era house.
Fenton Art Glass Museum Williamstown Wood Mid-Ohio Valley Art See beautiful glass art from Fenton.
Fort Ashby Fort Ashby Mineral Potomac Highlands Military A fort built in the mid-1700s by George Washington during the French and Indian War.
Fort Edwards Capon Bridge Hampshire Potomac Highlands History A visitor center with exhibits about an 18th-century fort and the French and Indian War.
Fort New Salem Salem Harrison Mountaineer Country Open air Features 19th-century log buildings.
Fort Randolph Point Pleasant Mason Metro Valley Military A rebuilt fort from the American Revolutionary War.
Fostoria Glass Museum Moundsville Marshall Northern Panhandle Decorative arts Displays glass pieces made by the Fostoria Glass Company.
Gauley Bridge Historical Museum Gauley Bridge Fayette New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Local history Learn about the history of Gauley Bridge.
Gorby's Vintage Instrument Museum South Charleston Kanawha Metro Valley Music See rare and unique musical instruments.
Graham House Lowell Summers New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Historic house An 18th-century house that includes the Saunders One Room School House Museum.
Greatest Generation Exhibit Rowlesburg Preston Mountaineer Country Military Shows items and stories from World War II home life.
Green Bank Science Center Green Bank Pocahontas Potomac Highlands Science Has interactive science exhibits and tours of the giant Green Bank Telescope.
The Greenbrier - The Bunker White Sulphur Springs Greenbrier New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Military A secret emergency center from the 1950s.
The Greenbrier - Presidents' Cottage Museum White Sulphur Springs Greenbrier New River/Greenbrier River Valleys History Learn about the history of the Greenbrier resort and its famous presidential visitors.
Greenbrier Military School Memorial Museum Lewisburg Greenbrier New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Military Shows the history of the former Greenbrier Military School.
Grave Creek Mound Moundsville Marshall Northern Panhandle Archaeology Includes the Delf Norona Museum with items from the ancient mound.
Hamilton Round Barn Mannington Marion Mountaineer Country Farm A unique round barn.
Hancock County Museum New Cumberland Hancock Northern Panhandle Historic house A Victorian-era house with local history displays.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Harpers Ferry Jefferson Eastern Panhandle Multiple A large park with many museums and historic sites.
General Thomas M. Harris School Museum Harrisville Ritchie Mid Ohio Valley Local history Run by the Ritchie County Historical Society.
Henry Cooper Log Cabin Museum Parkersburg Wood Mid-Ohio Valley History Displays pioneer items.
Heritage Farm Museum and Village Huntington Wayne Metro Valley Open-air Shows homes from 1850, 1900, and 1925, plus a transportation museum and country store museum.
Hinton Railroad Museum Hinton Summers New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Railroad A museum dedicated to railroad history.
Historic Shepherdstown Museum Shepherdstown Jefferson Eastern Panhandle Local history Learn about the history of Shepherdstown.
History House Museum Terra Alta Preston Mountaineer Country Local history Run by the Preston County Historical Society.
Huntington Museum of Art Huntington Cabell Metro Valley Art A major art museum in West Virginia.
Huntington Railroad Museum Huntington Cabell Metro Valley Railroad Run by the Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society.
International Mother's Day Shrine Grafton Taylor Mountaineer Country History A shrine dedicated to the history of Mother's Day.
Jackson's Mill Weston Lewis Mountain Lakes Open air Includes the Jackson Family Mill Museum, a grist mill, and several historic cabins.
Jefferson County Museum Charles Town Jefferson Eastern Panhandle Local history Discover the history of Jefferson County.
Jenkins Plantation Museum Lesage Cabell Metro Valley Historic house The home of Confederate Brigadier General Albert G. Jenkins.
John Brown Wax Museum Harpers Ferry Jefferson Eastern Panhandle Wax Features wax figures telling the story of John Brown.
Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum Wheeling Ohio Northern Panhandle Toy Displays toys, model trains, and a miniature model of downtown Wheeling.
Lighthorse Harry Lee Cabin Mathias Hardy Potomac Highlands Local history A historic cabin located in Lost River State Park.
Lemuel Chenoweth House & Museum Beverly Randolph Mountaineer Country Historic house A mid-1800s period house.
Lost River Artisans Cooperative and Museum Lost River Hardy Eastern Panhandle Local history Shows furniture, tools, textiles, and photographs from the area.
Lost World Caverns Lewisburg Greenbrier New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Natural history Offers cave tours and a museum with fossils, rocks, and minerals.
Madie Carroll House Huntington Cabell Metro Valley Historic house A 19th-century period house.
Mansion House Museum Point Pleasant Mason Metro Valley Historic house Located in Tu-Endie-Wei State Park.
Marion County Historical Museum Fairmont Marion Mountaineer Country Local history Learn about the history of Marion County.
Marshall County Historical Society Museum Moundsville Marshall Northern Panhandle Local history Discover the history of Marshall County.
Matewan Depot Replica Museum Matewan Mingo Metro Valley Local history A replica of the historic Matewan train depot.
Mercer County War Museum Princeton Mercer New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Military Also known as Those Who Served Museum.
Mesaros Galleries Morgantown Monongalia Mountaineer Country Art Art galleries that are part of West Virginia University.
Monongalia Arts Center Morgantown Monongalia Mountaineer Country Art An art and culture center with two galleries.
Monroe County Historical Society Museum Union Monroe New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Local history Learn about the history of Monroe County.
Morgan’s Kitchen Plantation Museum St. Albans Kanawha Metro Valley Historic house An early home operated by the St. Albans Historical Society.
Morgantown History Museum Morgantown Monongalia Mountaineer Country Local history Discover the history of Morgantown.
Mothman Museum Point Pleasant Mason Metro Valley Media A museum about the mysterious "Mothman" creature, featured in books and movies.
Mountaineer Military Museum Weston Lewis Mountain Lakes Military Displays military history and artifacts.
Museum of American Glass in West Virginia Weston Lewis Mountain Lakes Art Shows beautiful glass pieces made by local manufacturers. It also includes the National Marble Museum.
Museum of Radio and Technology Huntington Cabell Metro Valley Technology Features historic radios and equipment.
Museum of the Berkeley Springs Berkeley Springs Morgan Eastern Panhandle Local history Located in Berkeley Springs State Park.
Museums of Oglebay Institute Wheeling Ohio Northern Panhandle Multiple Includes the Mansion Museum (a 1900 mansion with local history) and the Glass Museum (with Wheeling glass and china).
New Deal Homestead Museum Arthurdale Preston Mountaineer Country Multiple Learn about this Depression-era project, with period displays and art.
New Era School Museum Mineral Wells Wood Mid-Ohio Valley School An 1884 one-room schoolhouse.
North House Museum Lewisburg Greenbrier New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Historic house Run by the Greenbrier Historical Society, with decorative arts and local history.
Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center Wheeling Ohio Northern Panhandle Art A center for performing and visual arts.
Oil & Gas Museum Parkersburg Wood Mid-Ohio Valley Industry Explores the history of the oil and gas industry in West Virginia and Ohio.
Old Hemlock Brandonville Preston Mountaineer Country Historic house A log house from 1782 and a nature preserve.
Old Mill at Harman Harman Randolph Potomac Highlands Mill A working grist mill.
Old Morgantown Glass Collectors' Guild Glass Museum Morgantown Monongalia Mountaineer Country Art Displays decorative glass pieces.
Old Stone House Museum Pennsboro Ritchie Mid-Ohio Valley Local history Run by the Ritchie County Historical Society.
Parkersburg Art Center Parkersburg Wood Mid-Ohio Valley Art A center for art in Parkersburg.
Pearl S. Buck Birthplace Hillsboro Pocahontas Potomac Highlands Biographical The 1892 home of writer Pearl S. Buck.
Pennsboro B&O Depot Pennsboro Ritchie Mid-Ohio Valley Railroad Run by the Ritchie County Historical Society.
Pocahontas County Museum Marlinton Pocahontas Potomac Highlands Local history Run by the Pocahontas County Historical Society.
Point Pleasant River Museum Point Pleasant Mason Metro Valley Maritime Learn about river life on the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers. It includes boat history, floods, and a pilot house simulator.
Prabhupada's Palace of Gold New Vrindaban Marshall Northern Panhandle Religious A beautiful memorial shrine built by Hare Krishna followers.
Prickett's Fort State Park Fairmont Marion Mountaineer Country Living A rebuilt log fort from the 1770s with living history demonstrations.
Princeton Railroad Museum Princeton Mercer New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Railroad Displays over 100 railroad lanterns and other railroad items.
Raleigh County Veterans Museum Beckley Raleigh New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Military Honors veterans from Raleigh County.
Randolph County Museum Beverly Randolph Potomac Highlands Local history An 1828 store with tools, Civil War items, and belongings of early citizens.
Rehoboth Church and Museum Union Monroe New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Religious A log-cabin style church from the 1780s and an adjacent museum.
Rowlesburg B&O Depot and Museum Rowlesburg Preston Mountaineer Country Railroad A museum located in the historic B&O train depot.
Royce J. and Caroline B. Watts Museum Morgantown Monongalia Mountaineer Country Industry Part of West Virginia University. It shows the history of coal, oil, and natural gas industries in West Virginia.
St. George Academy St. George Tucker Mountaineer Country Local history A historic building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Samuel Shrewsbury, Sr. House Belle Kanawha Metro Valley Historic house An early 1800s house and local history museum.
Sandstone Visitor Center Sandstone Summers Southern Local history One of the visitor centers for New River Gorge National River. It shares the cultural and natural history of the river.
Scott's Run Museum Osage Monongalia Mountaineer Country Local history Learn about the history of the Scott's Run area.
Seneca Rocks Discovery Center Seneca Rocks Pendleton Eastern Panhandle Multiple Run by the US Forest Service. It has exhibits on nature and local history, including the 1800s Sites Homestead.
South Charleston Museum South Charleston Kanawha Metro Valley Multiple Features local history, culture, and art exhibits.
Swiger Run History Center & Museum Doddridge County Doddridge Mountaineer Country Local history A center for local history.
Taggart Hall Civil War Museum Romney Hampshire Potomac Highlands Local history Displays Civil War items and Fenton glass.
Thurmond Depot Visitor Center Thurmond Fayette Southern Local history One of the visitor centers for New River Gorge National River.
Top Kick's Military Museum Petersburg Grant Potomac Highlands Military A museum dedicated to military history.
Triple Brick Museum Martinsburg Berkeley Eastern Panhandle Local history Located next to the Adam Stephen House.
Twin Falls Resort State Park Mullens Wyoming New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Farm Includes a nature center and the Bowers Ridge Pioneer Farm, an 1830s working farm.
Tyler County Museum Middlebourne Tyler Northern Panhandle Local history Run by the Tyler County Heritage and Historical Society.
Upshur County History Center Buckhannon Upshur Mountain Lakes Local history Run by the Upshur County Historical Society.
US Navy Poster Museum Point Pleasant Mason Metro Valley Art Displays US Navy recruiting posters from over 100 years.
Veterans Museum of Mid Ohio Valley Parkersburg Wood Mid-Ohio Valley Military Honors veterans from the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Veterans Museum of Southern West Virginia Hinton Summers New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Military A museum dedicated to veterans.
Victorian Wheeling Landmarks Foundation Wheeling Ohio Northern Panhandle Historic house Offers tours of Victorian-era homes like the Hess House.
Watters Smith Memorial State Park Lost Creek Harrison Mountaineer Country Farm A late 19th-century homestead and farm museum.
Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center Weirton Hancock Northern Panhandle Local history Learn about the history and culture of the Weirton area.
West Augusta Historical Society Museum Mannington Marion Mountaineer Country Local history A museum run by the West Augusta Historical Society.
West Virginia CCC Museum Quiet Dell Harrison Mountaineer Country History Shows the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps in West Virginia.
West Virginia Governor's Mansion Charleston Kanawha Metro Valley Historic house The official residence of the Governor of West Virginia.
West Virginia Independence Hall Wheeling Ohio Northern Panhandle History Learn about how West Virginia became a state.
West Virginia Railroad Museum Elkins Randolph Potomac Highlands Railway A planned heritage railroad and museum.
West Virginia State Capitol Charleston Kanawha Metro Valley History The seat of West Virginia's government.
West Virginia State Cultural Center Charleston Kanawha Metro Valley Multiple Showcases West Virginia's art, culture, and history.
West Virginia State Farm Museum Point Pleasant Mason Metro Valley Farm Features historic buildings, log cabins, old tools, and a working 19th-century blacksmith shop.
West Virginia State Museum Charleston Kanawha Metro Valley Multiple Explores West Virginia's history, culture, art, and natural science.
West Virginia State Penitentiary Moundsville Marshall Northern Panhandle Prison A former prison with a long history.
Wheeling Artisan Center Wheeling Ohio Northern Panhandle Multiple Includes Wymer's General Store Museum, an art gallery, and local history exhibits.
Whipple Company Store & Museum Scarbro Fayette Southern History A historic company store from a coal camp.
Wildwood House Museum Beckley Raleigh New River/Greenbrier River Valleys History A historic house museum.
Williamson Area Railroad Museum Williamson Mingo Metro Valley Railroad A museum about railroads in the Williamson area.
Wyoming County Historical Museum Oceana Wyoming Southern Local history Learn about the history of Wyoming County.
Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia Beckley Raleigh New River/Greenbrier River Valleys Children's A museum especially for young people, part of the Beckley Exhibition Mine.
Z. D. Ramsdell House Ceredo Wayne Metro Valley Historic house A 19th-century house.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

  • Buddy's Country Store & Museum, Bluewell - This historic coal camp store closed in 2014.
  • Grafton B & O Railroad Heritage Center, Grafton
  • Marx Toy Museum, Moundsville - This museum closed in 2016.

West Virginia's Regions

The West Virginia Association of Museums has divided West Virginia into different tourism regions. This helps people explore different parts of the state.

Eastern Panhandle

Counties: Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan

Potomac Highlands

Counties: Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph, Tucker

North-Central West Virginia

Counties: Barbour, Doddridge, Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Taylor

Northern Panhandle

This region includes cities like Wheeling and Moundsville. Counties: Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Tyler, Wetzel

Mountain Lakes

Counties: Braxton, Clay, Gilmer, Lewis, Nicholas, Upshur, Webster

Metro Valley

This region is around the cities of Charleston and Huntington. Counties: Boone, Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, Putnam, Wayne

Mid-Ohio Valley

Counties: Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt, Wood

New River/Greenbrier River Valleys

This area includes most counties in Southern West Virginia. Counties: Fayette, Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, Wyoming

More Places to Discover

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List of museums in West Virginia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.