Mothman Museum
The arrival of a red-eyed, man-sized, moth-like creature.
Reports of UFO activity. Sightings of the Men in Black.
Details of the Silver Bridge disaster. The Mothman Museum
in Point Pleasant holds a wealth of information—and photo
ops—for those intrigued by the details surrounding West
Virginia’s Mothman, the sightings of which culminated in the
collapse of the Silver Bridge in December 1967 that killed
46 people. Curiosity has drawn guests from all over the
world to visit the largest selection of props and memorabilia
from the set of “The Mothman Prophecies,” the film inspired
by these events. Was the Mothman an alien that caused
the disaster, or was his arrival a warning? Visitors searching
for the truth can use original police reports, historical press
clippings and authentic video footage to come to their own
conclusions. The museum is open seven days a week,
and admission is $4 for adults and $1 for children.
Mountaineer Military Museum
Ron McVaney made a promise to his childhood friends who
lost their lives in the line of duty that no one would ever
forget them. Over the past 35 years, he has kept his promise
and has collected hundreds of pieces of military memorabilia.
With an expansive assortment of war helmets, metals and
weapons, this museum in Weston, WV, is perfect for any
veteran or military enthusiast. There is even a reflection room
where guests can honor those who have fallen in the line of
duty. The Mountaineer Military Museum will open for 2019
on April 6. Guest hours are on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Museum of Radio and Technology
The Museum of Radio and Technology in Huntington is one
of the largest antique radio museums in the U.S. Patrons
can browse through hundreds of vintage radios, computers
and other communication devices. The Museum of Radio
and Technology is divided into multiple display rooms,
including the broadcasting hall of fame, the 1920s-1930s
radio shop and the military communication display. The
museum is open on Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
and Sundays, 1-4 p.m., spring through early fall. There is no
admission charge, but the nonprofit does accept donations.
The National Museum of the Paranormal
Archive of the Afterlife:
The National Museum of the Paranormal.
Photo by Stephen Hummel.
Located in the Sanford Community Center in Moundsville,
the Archive of the Afterlife: The National Museum of the
Paranormal contains a collection of both the historical and
the paranormal. The museum provides entertainment to
patrons, but it is also an educational experience into the
realm of the paranormal through exhibits of haunted relics,
cursed artifacts, oddities, informational literature and
historically significant items. There are some fascinating
items on display that have some historical value but are also
believed to have a spiritual presence attached to them such
as an infant’s casket, a 1930s embalming table and an
execution cap. From December 1-March 31, the museum is
open on Fridays and Saturdays from 1-6 p.m., and from
April 1-November 30, it is open Tuesdays-Saturdays from
1-6 p.m. There is an admission fee of $3 per person or $5
for a couple.
Oil & Gas Museum
The Oil & Gas Museum, located in historic downtown
Parkersburg, is a nationally recognized museum that presents
the intriguing history of the oil and gas industry, including
how the accumulation of wealth from oil impacted West
Virginia’s statehood. The museum also boosts expanded
displays on the Civil War and local industries. An outdoors
exhibit area displays larger machinery used in the oil and
gas industry, such as a standard drilling rig, a star drilling
and service rig and a nitroglycerine torpedo truck. The
museum is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on
weekends from 12-5 p.m.
West Virginia State Museum
West Virginia
State Museum.
Photo by Steve
Brightwell/
West Virginia
Department of
Arts, Culture
and History.
Located on the West Virginia State Capitol building complex,
the West Virginia State Museum has an expansive
collection of Mountain State memorabilia that dates back
to 1890. The museum, located in the basement of the
West Virginia Culture Center, takes guests on a journey
through time from a pre-historic coal forest to early
western settlement to present day. Learn about the state’s
heritage as you follow interactive exhibits that illustrate
vital moments in West Virginia’s cultural, industrial and
natural history. The museum is open Tuesdays-Saturdays,
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free.
Editor’s Note: This is not a comprehensive list of museums in West Virginia.
To learn more about the state’s museums, visit http://wvmuseums.org.
www.wve xe c uti v e.com
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