GoWV 2012 : Page 4

POSTCARDS FROM WV 9 TOURS THROUGH WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAIN DELIGHTS ■ MID-OHIO VALLEY FAMILY FEUD ■ HATFIELD-MCCOY MOUNTAINS MOTORCOACHES, TRAINS & OUTER SPACE ■ POTOMAC HIGHLANDS ■ NEW RIVER-GREENBRIER VALLEY D iscover Parkersburg, where the sternwheeler once reigned as queen of the Ohio River. Begin by exploring the Blennerhassett Museum for the history of this area that began as a Native American Village, before boarding a stern-wheeler for a cruise to Blenner-hassett Island Historical State Park. Henderson Hall, a pre-Civil War mansion, is the best-preserved and most signiﬁ cant example of Italian-ate Villa style surviving in the state and contains the original furnish-ings. Finish the evening with a tour and reception at Parkersburg Arts Center. Other delights include the Oil and Gas Museum with artifacts used during the oil boom of 1860– 1930. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Holl’s Swiss Chocolatier, where there is something for everyone. Step back in time strolling through Sistersville, an oil and gas boom town with its turn-of-the-century oil well and the last remaining pas-senger ferry in West Virginia. After dinner, the Smoot Theatre, built in 1926, will provide a dessert tour and the evening’s entertainment. T he McCoy family of Kentucky hated the Hatﬁ elds of West Virginia for many reasons. Some say it was the clandestine affair between Johnse Hatﬁ eld and Rose Anne McCoy; others believe it was a lawsuit over a sow and some pigs; some claim it was the cost of a ﬁ ddle that caused the legendary feud. Now, for the ﬁ rst time ever, the key Hatﬁ eld McCoy Feud sites are open to visitors. Visit the place where Johnse Hatﬁ eld and Rose Anne McCoy fell in love. You can see the grave of Johnse and Rose Anne’s child. And you can visit the burial sites of Devil Anse Hatﬁ eld and Randle McCoy – the patriarchs of the feuding families. Don’t just read about the history of the feud when you can walk in the footsteps of the famous families. In addition to soaking up that history, share an Appalachian-themed dinner at Tamarack, before experiencing Theatre WV’s production of “The Hatﬁ elds and McCoys” during the summer at Cliffside Amphitheatre at Grandview National Park over-looking the New River. S tart your excursion in beautiful Romney, West Virginia with a ride on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad and enter a sacred place, the eastern home turf of our mag-niﬁ cent national symbol, the Amer-ican Eagle. Keep the camera ready for a stop at Blackwater Falls State Park and the site of the Blackwater River plunging down from a height of ﬁ ve stories. Seneca Rocks, a must-see, 900-foot tall strata of Tuscarora sandstone, provides a nice, gentle hike on the “Granny Trail.” Jutting prominently from the landscape, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory allows scientists to listen to outer space while in the conﬁ nes of the quiet countryside of West Virginia. For more photo opportunities, the larg-est fully steerable radio telescope in the world is located here. Finish your stay in the lap of luxury at The Greenbrier, America’s Resort. Enjoy a relaxing spa treatment, High Tea or a round of golf before exploring The Bunker, the Cold-War emer-gency relocation site for the United States Congress. 4 1.800. CALL WVA

Postcards From WV

MOUNTAIN DELIGHTS Discover Parkersburg, where the sternwheeler once reigned as queen of the Ohio River. Begin by exploring the Blennerhassett Museum for the history of this area that began as a Native American Village, before boarding a sternwheeler for a cruise to Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park. Henderson Hall, a pre-Civil War mansion, is the best-preserved and most significant example of Italianate Villa style surviving in the state and contains the original furnishings. Finish the evening with a tour and reception at Parkersburg Arts Center. Other delights include the Oil and Gas Museum with artifacts used during the oil boom of 1860–1930. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Holl’s Swiss Chocolatier, where there is something for everyone. Step back in time strolling through Sistersville, an oil and gas boom town with its turn-of-the-century oil well and the last remaining passenger ferry in West Virginia. After dinner, the Smoot Theatre, built in 1926, will provide a dessert tour and the evening’s entertainment FAMILY FEUD The McCoy family of Kentucky hated the Hatfields of West Virginia for many reasons. Some say it was the clandestine affair between Johnse Hatfield and Rose Anne McCoy; others believe it was a lawsuit over a sow and some pigs; some claim it was the cost of a fiddle that caused the legendary feud. Now, for the first time ever, the key Hatfield McCoy Feud sites are open to visitors. Visit the place where Johnse Hatfield and Rose Anne McCoy fell in love. You can see the grave of Johnse and Rose Anne’s child. And you can visit the burial sites of Devil Anse Hatfield and Randle McCoy – the patriarchs of the feuding families. Don’t just read about the history of the feud when you can walk in the footsteps of the famous families. In addition to soaking up that history, share an Appalachian-themed dinner at Tamarack, before experiencing Theatre WV’s production of “The Hatfields and McCoys” during the summer at Cliffside Amphitheatre at Grandview National Park overlooking the New River. MOTORCOACHES, TRAINS & OUTER SPACE Start your excursion in beautiful Romney, West Virginia with a ride on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad and enter a sacred place, the eastern home turf of our magnificent national symbol, the American Eagle. Keep the camera ready for a stop at Blackwater Falls State Park and the site of the Blackwater River plunging down from a height of five stories. Seneca Rocks, a must-see, 900-foot tall strata of Tuscarora sandstone, provides a nice, gentle hike on the “Granny Trail.” Jutting prominently from the landscape, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory allows scientists to listen to outer space while in the confines of the quiet countryside of West Virginia. For more photo opportunities, the largest fully steerable radio telescope in the world is located here. Finish your stay in the lap of luxury at The Greenbrier, America’s Resort. Enjoy a relaxing spa treatment, High Tea or a round of golf before exploring The Bunker, the Cold-War emergency relocation site for the United States Congress. CIVIL WAR BIRTH Find out why Thomas Jefferson said the view was worth a trip across the sea as you explore the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers in Harpers Ferry. The seizure of the federal arsenal here in 1859 by abolitionist John Brown in his quest to coordinate a general uprising of slaves, sent the South into a panic. Following Brown’s trail from the Engine House to the B&O Train Bridge to the Jefferson County Museum and Courthouse, you will discover why Harpers Ferry changed hands eight times during the Civil War and Stonewall Jackson achieved his greatest victory in 1862. Explore Shepherdstown the oldest town in West Virginia and the location where the causalities of the Battle at Antietam Creek were brought. Hear the story of Confederate spy Belle Boyd at her childhood home in Martinsburg and discover why Martinsburg changed hands more than 50 times during the war. Complete your visit with an evening of gaming at The Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. MINE WARS & MASSACRES The West Virginia Mine Wars climaxed in the largest battle on American soil since the Civil War but its beginnings can be traced to the upheavals caused by the Industrial Revolution. When people began working in industrial settings the conditions were harsh. Injuries and death were common and many toiled for 70 hours a week. This was also true in the coal industry. The coal companies that dominated life in this region were successful in keeping unions out. However, around 1919 there was a push to unionize the southern West Virginia coal fields in Mingo and Logan counties. Start your tour with the “Company” experience at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. Explore buildings, see the company store and go “under” to see what it was like to work in the mines. Travel on to Bramwell to find out how company owners lived. See the site of the Matewan Massacre where Sid Hatfield, Mingo County Sheriff, fought the Baldwin Felts Detectives, who were evicting miners who joined the Union. LADY LUCK REIGNS Spend time in Wheeling, West Virginia, a quaint, industrial hamlet, by exploring Centre Market, Krueger Street Toy and Train Museum and the Civil Warera birthplace of West Virginia, Independence Hall. The sprawling, wooded property of Oglebay Resort, known for the Winter Festival of Lights, will provide enjoyment in the Bissonnette Gardens, Carriage House and Glass Museum. Bring your clubs and take on one of the championship golf courses here. At nearby Bethany College, where 95 percent of the campus buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, you can tour the Campbell Mansion before heading over to Newell and the home of FiestaWare China, Homer Laughlin China Company. Discover what it was like behind bars at the former West Virginia State Penitentiary. Finish your visit to the heart of the Northern Panhandle with dinner, racing and gaming at Wheeling Island Racetrack and Casino or Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort. MOUNTAINMADE MYSTERIES Five major lakes make up this area and include such activities as a ride on the Stonewall Jackson at Stonewall Resort; Civil War buffs can explore the Bulltown Historic Area at Burnsville Lake and Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park near Summersville Lake. Both sites bring the battles to life during re-enactments throughout the year. Experience early Appalachian life at Jackson’s Mill Historic Area where Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was raised. The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum served as a sanctuary for the mentally ill in the mid 1800’s. The history of the building holds fascinating stories of Civil War raids, a gold robbery and the “curative” effects of architecture for the mentally ill. Evening tours are available where paranormal activity may be observed and private overnight ghost hunts can be arranged. Discover the history of hand-blown glass at Appalachian Glass. Finish the day with a stop at Lambert’s Vintage Winery. The next morning visit wildlife at the West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek. Shop at Ron Hinkle Glass and Main Street Gallery in Buckhannon. Finally, head to Elkins for an evening of music at The American Mountain Theater. TECHNOLOGY REVISITED Mountaineer Country is a region that transformed with each wave of settlers and immigrants arriving in West Virginia, from pioneer forts to research centers. Morgantown is the home of West Virginia University and the world’s first automated transportation system, the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT). Stop by the Hall of Traditions at Milan Puskar Center for a look at Mountaineer football history and catch a performance of West Virginia Public Theatre. The first of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” towns, Arthurdale, was founded in 1933 as a community that would be self-sustaining through crafts and agriculture. In Rowlesburg, visit the World War II Museum at the old Rowlesburg High School. At Cool Springs Park, have a home cooked meal prior to the Sagebrush Roundup performance that night. Pricketts Fort State Park appears as it did in 1774. Visit the International Mother’s Day Shrine, the home of the first Mother’s Day Celebration and the Grafton National Cemetery that has 664 unknown soldiers’ graves. After a stop at the Philippi Covered Bridge, home of the first land battle of the Civil War, end your stay with a meal at Adaland Mansion. HISTORY ALIVE Start your visit in Milton, at Blenko Glass Factory, and see craftsmen practicing the old world art of glass blowing. The Heritage Farm Museum and Village brings you back to the past with more than 14 buildings from the 1800’s, complete with furnishings of the era. Discover the rebirth of a town and university at Marshall University following the worst sports disaster in the history of the U.S., the 1970 plane crash that killed 75 people. At the Memorial Fountain, you will feel the community pride that was depicted in the 2006 film, “We Are Marshall.” After a visit to the State Museum and Capitol Complex in Charleston, it’s on to Beckley and the heart of southern West Virginia. Tamarack is a shopper’s paradise featuring arts, crafts and food products made in West Virginia. The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine will take you underground with a retired coal miner as your guide. The area includes an interpretative center in the Coal Company Store along with a coal miner’s house and the company church. Finish the evening with a performance at the Cliffside Amphitheater in Grandview Park by Theatre West Virginia or at the Historic Fayette Theatre.

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