Preston County History Day celebrates various aspects of life in earlier centuries, proudly restored and preserved by volunteers. On July 20, Preston County History Day will provide a pathway to seeing how others lived. It’s in more places than you’d think.
The museums with open hours are:
- Arthurdale Heritage, open 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Aurora Area Historical Society Museum, open 1-4 p.m.
- The McGrew House in Kingwood, open 1-3 p.m.
- The Head, Heart, Hands & Health Museum in Reedsville, open 2-4 p.m.
- The Szilagyi Center museums in Rowlesburg, open 1-4 p.m.
- The History House Museum in Terra Alta, open 1:30-4:30 p.m.
- The Tunnelton Train Depot, open 1-3 p.m.
- The Old Hemlock Foundation near Brandonville, with 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. tours only (reservations needed in advance)
Walk back in time and learn about the groundbreaking efforts of the nation’s first New Deal subsistence homestead project at Arthurdale, the first time the federal government would serve as a landlord for deserving families. See the way Co-op tractors were assembled in the project factory nearby. The unique project also included health care, local schools, and new homes with electricity, indoor plumbing and refrigerators.
Did you know that Aurora’s mountaintop air attracted wealthy city residents to the special summer world in late Victorian times? Grand hotels, elegant homes, pools, and even a casino welcomed the summer people and their staff. Also, see a general store exhibit set up to show everyone how shopping used to meet family needs.
At 17098 Brandonville Pike, Old Hemlock, the 1782 stone/log country home of renowned outdoors author George Bird Evans and his wife features exhibits on Mr. Evans’ work as an illustrator and author on upland bird shooting. Also, the Evans’ English Setter breeding efforts are part of the tour.
Based on the work of many volunteers, visitors will understand more about the special accomplishments of Kingwood businessman, James McGrew, who also helped West Virginia to become the 35th state. His home shows the lifestyle of the era. Additional exhibits of county life are included.
Over 100 years of 4-H history are on display in the Reedsville museum devoted “To Make the Best Better.” The traditions of 4-H life, quilts, prize-winning projects, and other mementos recall special times for the youth of the county and their leaders’ support.
The Szilagyi Center in Rowlesburg provides amazing insights and connections to World War II’s heroes, Preston County’s high school athletic history, and railroad bridges. Shortly before West Virginia was added to the Union in 1863, a confrontation between Union and Confederate troops happened in Rowlesburg, so check out the Cannon Hill sign in the nearby park too.
The History House features extensive exhibits based on collections from county residents, including a bell and a model of a sailing ship, and various records of family histories and government records from earlier centuries.
The 112-year-old Tunnelton Train Depot museum illustrates railroad life and commerce that were a part of daily living before cars became common. The depot was used by the B&O Railroad for handling the U.S. mail, passengers, coal shipments, and freight. There are two historic tunnels nearby.
Also, 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 and handled the water-powered smelting process to convert it to iron ingots.
Many of these county sites will be open the third Sunday of each month through October 19.
