West Virginia, although small, is a state rich in history, as can be evidenced by their many historical sites and museums. However, if you’re planning a visit to Hancock County, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of history available for your perusal. In the interest of providing visitors with a time-saving device to help them get the very best out of their historical trek to this fair hamlet, here is a truncated list of the top five must-see museums (and historical sites) to tackle on your next trip to beautiful and storied Hancock County.
1. Hancock County Historical Museum. The site of this museum is also known as The Marshall House, mainly because it was built by Oliver Sheridan Marshall in 1887 and used for many years as the home for this politically influential family, before playing host to exhibits of historical significance to the county. Stop in (by appointment only) to see photos and artifacts pertaining to the steel industry and other area history, or just swing by to get a glimpse of this excellent sample of Victorian-era construction, erected almost entirely with local materials.
2. Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center. Steel was a big part of daily life for the people in this area and as such, it has been much chronicled in the history of the area. Weirton, in particular, built an entire community around steel. If you’d like to experience the culture surrounding this industry, you’ll find a cornucopia of primary source materials at this delightful museum. You can see films of people and places in Weirton taken in the 1930s, ‘40s, and ‘50s, as well as a wealth of photographs. Also neat to see are high school yearbooks from antiquity and local advertising signage, well preserved.
3. Campbell Mansion. Located near Bethany College, this historic home preserves an ages-old area history. The mansion was built by Scots-Irish immigrant Alexander Campbell starting in 1792 (it wouldn’t be completed until 1840, due to various additions). Campbell, who embraced both religion and education, included a schoolroom in his home, along with beautiful gardens, to create an environment conducive to study and reflection. His own study was built in an interesting hexagonal configuration. This site, a National Historic Landmark, is a must-see for anyone interested in prominent historic homes in the area.
4. Old Main. This site, also in Bethany, comprises a large chunk of the college campus, including Commencement Hall, Kirkpatrick Hall, the Academic Parlour, and more. Although you won’t necessarily encounter “exhibits”, as you would with a traditional museum, the campus itself is like an exhibit, featuring a fine example of gothic architecture common in the collegiate setting (the site was built in 1858). Many of the gorgeous brick buildings have been restored and rededicated.
5. Tri-State Genealogical and Historical Society. Again, this may not be the type of museum you’re used to, as it is actually a non-profit organization devoted to helping people discover their ancestry throughout the tri-state area. But if you think it’s possible that some of your people passed through at some point, you can make an appointment to sift through a wealth of history on microfilm, microfiche, city records, and so on (some of which is now available online).
Shirley Simpson writes for Holiday Deals where you can plan your next exciting vacation.