BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//VMC//Events Calendar//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT UID:vmc-event-329811@staging.visitmountaineercountry.com DTSTAMP:20261104T001908Z DTSTART:20250720T100000Z DTEND:20250720T110000Z SUMMARY:Preston County History Day- July DESCRIPTION:Preston County History Day celebrates various aspects of life i n earlier centuries\, proudly restored and preserved by volunteers. On Jul y 20\, Preston County History Day will provide a pathway to seeing how oth ers lived. It’s in more places than you’d think. \;\n\n\n\nThe mus eums with open hours are:\n\n\n\n\nArthurdale Heritage\, open 10 a.m.-3 p. m.\n\n\n\nAurora Area Historical Society Museum\, open 1-4 p.m.\n\n\n\nThe McGrew House in Kingwood\, open 1-3 p.m.\n\n\n\nThe Head\, Heart\, Hands &\; Health Museum in Reedsville\, open 2-4 p.m.\n\n\n\nThe Szilagyi Cen ter museums in Rowlesburg\, open 1-4 p.m.\n\n\n\nThe History House Museum in Terra Alta\, open 1:30-4:30 p.m.\n\n\n\nThe Tunnelton Train Depot\, ope n 1-3 p.m.\n\n\n\nThe Old Hemlock Foundation near Brandonville\, with 1 p. m. and 3 p.m. tours only (reservations needed in advance)\n\n\n\n\nWalk ba ck in time and learn about the groundbreaking efforts of the nation’s fi rst New Deal subsistence homestead project at Arthurdale\, the first time the federal government would serve as a landlord for deserving families. S ee the way Co-op tractors were assembled in the project factory nearby. Th e unique project also included health care\, local schools\, and new homes with electricity\, indoor plumbing and refrigerators.\n\n\n\nDid you know that Aurora’s mountaintop air attracted wealthy city residents to the s pecial summer world in late Victorian times? Grand hotels\, elegant homes\ , pools\, and even a casino welcomed the summer people and their staff. Al so\, see a general store exhibit set up to show everyone how shopping used to meet family needs.\n\n\n\nAt 17098 Brandonville Pike\, Old Hemlock\, t he 1782 stone/log country home of renowned outdoors author George Bird Eva ns and his wife features exhibits on Mr. Evans’ work as an illustrator a nd author on upland bird shooting. Also\, the Evans’ English Setter bree ding efforts are part of the tour.\n\n\n\nBased on the work of many volunt eers\, visitors will understand more about the special accomplishments of Kingwood businessman\, James McGrew\, who also helped West Virginia to bec ome the 35th state. His home shows the lifestyle of the era. Additional ex hibits of county life are included.\n\n\n\nOver 100 years of 4-H history a re on display in the Reedsville museum devoted “To Make the Best Better. ” The traditions of 4-H life\, quilts\, prize-winning projects\, and oth er mementos recall special times for the youth of the county and their lea ders’ support. \;\n\n\n\nThe Szilagyi Center in Rowlesburg provides amazing insights and connections to World War II’s heroes\, Preston Coun ty’s high school athletic history\, and railroad bridges. Shortly before West Virginia was added to the Union in 1863\, a confrontation between Un ion and Confederate troops happened in Rowlesburg\, so check out the Canno n Hill sign in the nearby park too.\n\n\n\nThe History House features exte nsive exhibits based on collections from county residents\, including a be ll and a model of a sailing ship\, and various records of family histories and government records from earlier centuries. \; \;\n\n\n\nThe 1 12-year-old Tunnelton Train Depot museum illustrates railroad life and com merce that were a part of daily living before cars became common. The depo t was used by the B&\;O Railroad for handling the U.S. mail\, passenger s\, coal shipments\, and freight. There are two historic tunnels nearby.\n \n\n\nAlso\, there are three outdoor Civil War Trail sites near Aurora and Rowlesburg. Don’t forget about the 1854 sandstone Virginia Iron Furnace along Rt. 26 north of Albright where earlier Prestonians mined iron ore a nd handled the water-powered smelting process to convert it to iron ingots .\n\n\n\nMany of these county sites will be open the third Sunday of each month through October 19. \; \;\nhttps://staging.visitmountaineerc ountry.com/event/preston-county-history-day-july/ LOCATION:Arthurdale Heritage\, Inc\, Q Road\, Arthurdale\, WV\, USA URL:https://staging.visitmountaineercountry.com/event/preston-county-histor y-day-july/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR