West Virginia State Museum Reopens

The West Virginia State Museum, a popular attraction for student travel groups,  recently reopened on June 21. With more than 24,000 square feet of exhibit space, the newly designed museum features the state’s land, culture and people. Located on the lower level of the Cultural Center in the State Capitol Complex in Charleston, it tells the state’s history along a show path that includes more than 6,000 historic artifacts, documentaries and news films, photography and art murals.

The show path begins at 300 million BC with a look at the geology and prehistoric cultures of the state and continues to modern day with a focus on our traditions, arts and culture. Along the way, visitors will see the state’s history through frontier times, the Civil War and industrialization. The museum includes a special tribute to West Virginia’s service men and women with a discovery room dedicated to their patriotism and service. The museum is designed for self-guided tours so visitors can enjoy the museum at their own pace.

The West Virginia State Museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. It is closed on Mondays. There is no admission charge. Information about student group tours is available from the museum’s guest services staff at 304-558-0220. Information about the museum can be found on the Division of Culture and History website.