Travel WV
written by maggie matsko
Destination
Discovery
can’t-miss museums
W
est Virginia has something for every interest,
and its collection of unique museums is
proof. From military weapons to coal mining
paraphernalia, from toys and trains to radios and technology,
from West Virginia history to the Mountain State’s scuffles
with the paranormal, the state’s eclectic collections of
artifacts will amaze and enthrall. These family-friendly
destinations are a steal—with some offering free admission—
and offer hours of entertainment.
Cook-Hayman Pharmacy Museum
For those with an interest in the evolution of medicine in
central Appalachia, the Cook-Hayman Pharmacy Museum
at the West Virginia University (WVU) School of Pharmacy
in Morgantown, WV, is a must-see. This museum, located
in the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, houses
a unique collection of 18th- and 19th-century pharmacy
memorabilia donated by physicians and pharmacists from
the region. The idea behind the museum was to capture
through artifacts and records the quickly evolving fields of
pharmacy and health care, and collection items include
prescription compounding equipment and ingredients,
books, pictures, business records and sundries. Tours are
limited to 25 guests and last about one hour. To request a
tour, visit https://pharmacy.hsc.wvu.edu/support-us/cook-
hayman-pharmacy-museum/schedule-a-tour/.
Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum
The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum in Wheeling is the
perfect place to relive your childhood memories or share
new ones with your family. Throughout the space, guests
will find toys and trains from every generation. The operating
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2 0 1 9 D i sc o v e r Wes t V i rg i n i a
Mountaineer Military Museum.
Photo by Tyler McVaney.
Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum. Photo by Paul Hoblitzell.
train displays are interactive and can be enjoyed by kids
and parents alike. Guests will also see thousands of toys
of all types, such as dolls, dollhouses, toy soldiers, planes,
ships, Western toys, space toys, cartoon characters and
ride-on toys. Guests pay a general admission fee to enter,
and a group rate is available for school trips. From Memorial
Day to New Year’s Eve, the museum is open seven days
a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Winter hours are Fridays,
Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Matewan Depot Replica and Museum
The Matewan Depot is one of the most historically important
stations along the 673-mile Norfolk and Western main line.
The Matewan Railroad Depot was rebuilt after being closed
for 31 years, and today it houses a visitor center and a
museum that displays information on the vast history of the
area. Museum exhibits are centered around the Hatfield and
McCoy feuds, the Matewan Massacre and the development
of the coal mining industry in the region. There is also a gift
shop on-site that offers arts and crafts, t-shirts, historical
books and Hatfield and McCoy trail memorabilia. The
museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.