DISCOVER WEST VIRGINIA - West Virginia Department of Commerce

DISCOVER WEST VIRGINIA

Something for Everyone 

There is no better way to learn about West Virginia than 

to get out and travel. 

This special issue of Wonderful West Virginia magazine offers themed itineraries – some for 

those traveling with kids and others for people whose tastes range from high adventure 

to high art. Whether you want to enjoy one of our state’s historic main street shopping 

districts, savor the local foods or check out unique science and energy museums, this issue 

has something for everyone. 

Visitors from near and far have taken notice of the flourishing opportunities in 

West Virginia. Recently, Budget Travel called Lewisburg America’s Coolest Small Town. 

Morgantown is on Forbes’ list for the Best Small Places for Business and Careers. 

Located within 500 miles of half of the U.S. population and a third of Canada’s, the 

Mountain State offers diverse cultural experiences and world-class outdoor recreation 

activities that are both accessible and affordable. Travelers spend about $12 million dollars 

each day, supporting 44,000 jobs in our state’s thriving service and hospitality sectors – 

providing new entrepreneurial opportunities in a place that’s green and growing. 

So, join us for a weekend or a lifetime. Discover West Virginia. 

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin 

Looking for a perfect gift? 

Save 20% on 2011 t-shirts. Go to wvscenics.com and enter 

code: 2011tshirt at checkout to receive 20% off your t-shirt 

order. Regular price $10. Sale price $8, including shipping. 

www.wvscenics.com 

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To subscribe call 1.800.CALL WVA or visit www.wonderfulwv.com 

Earl Ray Tomblin 

Governor, State of West Virginia 

Keith Burdette 

Secretary, Dept. of Commerce 

Frank Jezioro 

Director, Division of Natural Resources 

Emily J. Fleming 

Assistant to the Director / Legislative Liaison 

Wonderful West Virginia Administrative Staff 

Harry F. Price, Publisher 

Michael Bryant, Business Manager 

Donna Flowers, Circulation 

Commissioners 

Jeffrey S. Bowers, Sugar Grove 

Byron K. Chambers, Romney 

Peter L. Cuffaro, Wheeling 

Thomas O. Dotson, White Sulphur Springs 

David M. Milne, Bruceton Mills 

David F. Truban, Morgantown 

Kenneth R. Wilson, Chapmanville 

Section Chiefs 

Harry F. Price, Administration 

Curtis I. Taylor, Wildlife Resources 

David E. Murphy, Law Enforcement 

Kenneth Caplinger, Parks and Recreation 

Joe T. Scarberry, Supervisor, Office of Land and Streams 

Printed By 

Chapman Printing Company 

Charleston, Huntington, and Parkersburg, West Virginia 

Editor: Kim Harbour 

Design: Johanna Ellis – Lead Designer 

Rob Russo 

Project Management: Kim McHenry 

Photography: Steve Shaluta, Jr. and 

Ron Snow (unless noted) 

Writers: Andrea Bond, Leslie Fitzwater, 

Hoy Murphy, Courtney Sisk and 

Catherine Zacchi 

ABOUT THIS ISSUE: This special issue was 

produced by the West Virginia Department 

of Commerce. For more information: 

West Virginia Department of Commerce 

Marketing and Communications 

90 MacCorkle Ave., SW 

South Charleston, WV 25303 

(304) 558-2003 • CommerceContactUs@wv.gov 

Director: Kim Harbour 

Administration: Rita Kee, Mona Dugas and 

Hallie Sampson 

Marketing: Kim McHenry, Lee Chatman 

Mel Hobbs, Julie McKowen 

Rob Russo, Steve Shaluta, Jr., 

and Ron Snow 

Design: Johanna Ellis, Jessica Keaton, 

Andrew Stout, and Barry Wooldridge 

Media: Andrea Bond, Leslie Fitzwater, 

Hoy Murphy, Courtney Sisk, and 

Catherine Zacchi 

Intern: Scott Kinard 

Discover 

West Virginia 

Unexpected Itineraries of the Mountain State 

2 High Adventure for Beginners by Hoy Murphy 

Never climbed a rock wall or shot a clay pigeon or rode a zip line before? 

No problem! In West Virginia there are places that help you enjoy high 

adventure, even if you have low experience. 

8 Main Street Attractions by Leslie Fitzwater 

Family fun on your agenda? Look no further than one of West Virginia’s 

Main Street communities. The hardest part of planning a Main Street 

getaway is deciding which town to visit first. 

14 American Civil War 150th Anniversary Tour by Courtney Sisk 

It’s been 150 years since the start of the Civil War, the conflict from which 

West Virginia was born. History comes alive at battlefields and historic sites 

during special events to mark the sesquicentennial. 

16 Power Trips: Mountain State Energy Tour by Catherine Zacchi 

Take a tour of West Virginia’s power timeline, from production industries 

of the past, to generation and conservation today, to advanced technologies 

of tomorrow. 

22 Art Sparks by Andrea B. Bond 

Experience the wonderful in “wild and wonderful” when you explore 

West Virginia’s wide array of art galleries and theaters, keeping your family 

engaged and entertained all year long. 

28 High-Tech Family Fun Tour by Courtney Sisk 

Spark a love of science in the whole family with a trip around West Virginia 

that’s both entertaining and educational. 

34 Easy Being Green in West Virginia by Kim Harbour 

Dreaming of someplace that’s green? Whether you want to start your own 

eco-friendly business or visit one, West Virginia is the place for you. 

Contents Page, clockwise from top left: Via feratta climbers, Circleville by Ron Snow, Wine cellar at Forks of Cheat Winery, Morgantown by Ron Snow, NASA 

Independent Verification & Validation Facility, Fairmont by Ron Snow, Berta from The Cider Mill House, Hedgesville by Steve Shaluta Front cover: Cable-suspension 

bridge between two vertical outcroppings of Tuscarora sandstone at Nelson Rocks, Circleville by Ron Snow Front cover, inset photos: Children at Clay Center, 

Charleston by Ron Snow Shopping in Morgantown by Alex Wilson Back cover: Forks of Cheat Winery, Morgantown by Ron Snow 

2 

8 

28 

34

HigH 

adventure 

By Hoy Murphy 

for beginners Via 

West Virginia is famous for its high adventure 

opportunities like whitewater rafting, rock climbing, biking and other outdoors 

activities. They are available to and popular with both residents and visitors. 

Veteran adventurers already know where to go to enjoy their chosen interests, but 

what if you’re a beginner or want to try something new? 

West Virginia has a home-grown industry designed to help spark new interests for 

people looking for exciting ways to enjoy being outside. Here are just a few examples. 

feratta rock climbing provides 

fixed anchor systems in sheer rock 

walls, making it easier for 

beginners to experience rock 

climbing adventures. 

Photos by Ron Snow 

Climbers take a break at one 

of the scenic overlooks 

atop Nelson Rocks. 

CIRCLEVILLE 

Rock Climbing 

West Virginia’s rugged eastern mountains provide some of the best rock climbing 

and hiking challenges anywhere for pro and amateur alike. Nelson Rocks Outdoor 

Center near Circleville in the beautiful North Fork Valley area of Pendleton County 

offers options suitable for beginners or experienced adventurers. They include via 

ferrata and other types of rock climbing, along with miles of trails for hiking, bird 

watching and geocaching. 

Via ferrata, which means “iron road” in Italian, is a type of rock climbing that 

involves the use of permanently installed anchor systems, which provide accessibility 

to those without technical rock climbing skills. The route is a true work of art. 

Only the second of its type to be built in the United States, via ferrata at 

Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center offers a rare opportunity for adventurers to 

experience true mountain terrain. 

Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center also offers a thrilling canopy tour involving 

13 zip lines and is available for both the beginner and the experienced. 

Participants ride zip lines that get progressively longer and higher, up to 80 feet from 

the ground, from tree to tree. While aloft, they see some of the most impressive natural 

rock formations, trees and vegetation to be found anywhere. The tour ends with a 

40-foot rappel out of the final tree, after traveling more than a mile through the air. 

“The North Fork Valley Canopy 

Tour is modeled after canopy tours 

found throughout Central America 

and the Caribbean,” according to 

Wayne Berger, director of Nelson 

Rocks Outdoor Center. “While there 

is a certain level of thrill involved, the 

tour is designed to give participants 

ample exposure to the natural features 

of the North Fork Valley and to allow 

them the time to appreciate these 

surroundings. The NFV Canopy Tour 

is a four-hour, guided experience that 

allows you to explore Pendleton County 

in a completely new way.” 

For more information visit 

www.NelsonRocksOutdoorCenter.com 

or call 877-435-4842. 

D I S C O V E R W E S T V I R G I N I A 3

ELRAY 

An Outdoors Retreat 

North River Retreat bills itself as 

“The Outdoors Next Door!” That’s 

appropriate because its location in 

Hampshire County in the Eastern 

Panhandle puts it close to visitors from 

Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, 

D.C., as well as from West Virginia. 

Although its 437 acres offer 

several outdoors-related adventure 

opportunities, North River Retreat is 

becoming famous for its unique fivestation, 

five-level shooting platform 

(called “The Matrix”) that allows 

sporting clays shooting from different 

heights. A wobble “trap” (the machine 

that releases the clay “birds”) is located 

underneath the structure. This special 

trap shoots out clays by remote control. 

They fly above and below the shooter in 

random fashion, with the flight of each 

clay varying in height and angle. 

“The Matrix” is a popular five-level platform for shooting clays pigeons at 

North River Retreat. Special clinics are available for beginning shooters. 

Six other traps surround the shooting structure in a semi-circle, providing 

additional opportunities to shoot targets released remotely from various distances. 

Beginning this year, shooters also have an opportunity to go on a “Matrix Hunt,” with 

sounds of game birds calling and flushing at the same time clays are released. 

This sport is becoming more popular as people discover the fun and challenge 

of shooting a small moving target with a shotgun. North River offers clinics twice a 

year to teach shooting skills for beginners and those of limited experience. The clinic 

includes instruction, loan of a 20-gauge shotgun, shotgun shells and clay pigeons, and 

all the required safety equipment. 

“Families or small groups of friends are welcome to book ‘The Matrix’ for a 

morning or afternoon shoot. Shooting clays is great fun year-round,” explained John 

Gavitt, owner and manager of North River Retreat. “Whether you’re a seasoned 

outdoorsman or just a beginner, North River Retreat provides personal attention to 

clients desiring to shoot clays, hunt, fish, camp, or simply go hiking for the day.” 

For more information about services, rates and reservations, call 540-539-9873, 

email northriver@live.com, or visit online www.northriverretreat.com. 

Photos by Ron Snow 

RAIL TRAILS 

Biking 

West Virginia has more than 

375 miles of nearly-level trails that have 

been converted from abandoned train 

rail paths and are popular with hikers, 

bikers and horseback riders. 

Two of the most popular rail trails are 

operated by West Virginia State Parks. 

One is the North Bend Rail Trail that 

goes 72 miles from I-77 near Parkersburg 

in Wood County to Wolf Summit in 

Harrison County. The other is the 78mile 

Greenbrier River Trail that follows 

along one of the most remote areas 

in the state and lies adjacent to the 

Monongahela National Forest, Seneca 

State Forest and Watoga State Park in 

Pocahontas County. Both trails are open year-round. 

Prickett’s Fort State Park in Marion County is the starting point for the popular 

Mon River Trail, beginning with the three-mile MC Trail that connects the park to 

Hatfield-McCoy 

No Feuding, Just Fun 

Five hundred miles of off-road 

ATV trails wind through eight 

southern West Virginia counties, 

attracting 30,000 visitors each 

year to the Hatfield-McCoy Trails 

System. Many trails connect to 

ATV-friendly towns like Man, 

Matewan, Williamson and 

Gilbert, where visitors can fuel 

their vehicles and themselves. 

For more information visit 

www.WVTourism.com/ATV 

Greenbrier River Trail, Pocahontas County 

4 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A D I S C O V E R W E S T V I R G I N I A 5 

Photo by Ron Snow 

the Mon River Trail in Fairmont. Firsttime 

bikers on this trail will appreciate 

the recent improvements to the parking 

area and accessibility to the trail that 

leads them to the Morgantown city 

limit about 17 miles away. The flat, even 

grade provides perfect conditions for 

beginners who want to enjoy the biking 

experience without having to deal with 

steep hills or bumps in the road. Along 

the way, bikers can stop and enjoy 

businesses, residential neighborhoods 

and towns while visiting scenic settings 

they might not have visited otherwise. 

For a rail trail listing and map, 

www.WVTourism.com/RailTrails.

LANSING 

Adventures on the Gorge 

Whitewater rafting is still one of the 

most popular adventures available 

in West Virginia. Adventures on the 

Gorge provides trips for beginners 

on the New and Gauley rivers. 

Thrill seekers looking for something 

new can try a treetop canopy tour 

that combines hiking, zip lines, sky 

lines and rappelling. 

Ron Snow 

6 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A 

From whitewater rafting to a tree tops canopy tour that includes zip lines, sky lines, 

rappelling and hiking, you can pick your adventure year-round at Adventures on the 

Gorge along the New River Gorge and Gauley River in Fayette County. 

In 2008, three whitewater rafting companies – The Rivermen, Class VI River 

Runners and Adventure Mountain River – formed the new company now called 

Adventures on the Gorge. By combining their assets and available activities, plus 

adding some new ones, they have been successful at drawing thousands of visitors 

from across the country to the 200-acre facility. 

The resort now features a new lodge, bath house, basic and deluxe rental cabins 

and new restaurants and bars. The new Tree Tops Canopy Tour that was added in 

2009 has become extremely popular and is open all year. A second zip line course, 

Gravity, with a 3,000-foot zip, opened in May. Just about everyone who takes these 

rides is a beginner, so extra care is taken with instruction, practice and training, just 

as the companies have done for decades with their whitewater rafting operations. 

All of the adventures activities are guided and focus on beginners. 

“You don’t have to be a hardcore thrill seeker to join us for an unforgettable 

West Virginia vacation,” said Paul Buechler, CEO of Adventure West Virginia Resort. 

“You can also enjoy plenty of family vacation fun, New River Gorge resort events, 

gourmet dining, sunset float trips, interpretive hiking tours, and much more.” 

You can find out more about Adventure West Virginia Resort by calling 1-800-252- 

7784 or visiting www.adventurewestvirginia.com. 

Steve Shaluta 

HERE AND 

THERE 

RAGIN Outdoor 

Fitness Adventures 

Beginners often need some extra help and encouragement to nudge them out 

the door and into some new explorations of nature. That’s where RAGIN Outdoor 

Adventures can be of service. Although they are based in central West Virginia, 

American Council on Exercise (ACE) personal trainers Rachel Kutskill and Jennifer 

Ginsberg have built a statewide reputation for preparing and guiding inexperienced 

groups to adventures ranging across day hiking, backpacking, tent or rustic cabin 

camping, and even deluxe cabin overnight stays for the less adventurous. Their motto is 

“Play outside!” 

“Our experienced guides help people appreciate and explore the beauty of 

West Virginia while enjoying the health benefits that outdoor fitness provides,” 

explained Ginsberg, who co-owns the enterprise with Kutskill. “You can join one of our 

scheduled day hikes or we can customize a trip based on your group’s level of adventure.” 

RAGIN goes beyond just guiding trips and providing equipment. Both Ginsberg 

and Kutskill work one-on-one and in small groups to help their clients prepare 

themselves both mentally and physically for the challenges ahead through specialized 

training and workshops. 

“We challenge our clients to discover fitness in a new and natural setting that 

enables them to work out without walls,” said Kutskill. “We offer new exercise 

techniques in the safety of a professional setting to get you ready.” 

They also are trained in wilderness survival techniques and are CPR and 

wilderness first aid certified, so they are able to handle any difficulties that may occur. 

One of their recent trips was a two-day backpacking climb to the top of Spruce 

Knob, the state’s highest peak. Others included a wellness weekend cabin retreat in 

the New River Gorge and day hikes in historic Thurmond and along the Endless Wall 

Trail overlooking the New River. 

RAGIN works with clients to come up with new ideas in outdoors adventuring. 

“You pick the adventure and we make it happen,” said Ginsberg. 

For more information about RAGIN Outdoor Fitness Adventuress, call 304-951-9141, 

email RaginAdventures@gmail.com, or visit www.raginsoutdoorfitnessadventures.com. 

Quench your thirst for 

adventure in West Virginia. 

Hit the mountains and trails 

on foot or ATV, or check out 

hundreds of acres of motocross 

tracks. Whether your target is 

boar, bear or white-tailed deer, 

you can find it while hunting the 

woods of West Virginia. Or hunt 

for hidden treasure and take the 

whole family geocaching. You 

never know what you’ll discover! 

Whether it’s your first time 

or you are a “veteran” of high 

adventures, many more outdoor 

challenges can be explored at 

the West Virginia Division of 

Tourism’s high adventure website: 

www.adventuresinwv.com. 

West Virginia has too much wild 

and wonderful to be ignored. 

Pick your adventure, and get 

outside and enjoy it! 

A lifelong resident of West Virginia, 

Hoy Murphy writes for the 

West Virginia Department of 

Commerce, helping to promote the 

state’s many outdoor recreational 

opportunities. Contact him at 

hoy.r.murphy@wv.gov.

tHe Main event 

on West Virginia’s Main Streets By Leslie Fitzwater 

West Virginia’s Main Street communities 

offer a full lineup of family fun. Historic points of interest, 

family friendly museums, minor league baseball, fairs and 

festivals, unique shops and boutiques and a complete menu 

of delicious food are all just a short drive from home. Whether 

you plan a daytrip, long weekend or seven-day summer 

vacation, Main Street Communities have the attractions you 

want at a price you can afford. 

The Main Street West Virginia program is part of the Community 

Development Division of the West Virginia Development 

Office. The program’s main goal is to 

revitalize downtown areas through 

organization, promotion, design and 

economic restructuring. Currently, 

West Virginia has 12 communities in the 

Main Street program. This geographically 

and culturally diverse group makes it difficult 

to choose which Main Street community to 

visit first, but here are examples of what a 

handful of those communities have to offer 

for your West Virginia getaway. 

The Mothman statue was erected 

to honor Point Pleasant’s most 

famous supernatural resident. 

POINT 

PLEASANT 

History Comes Alive in Point Pleasant 

Point Pleasant is a small town with a rich history. The river community, situated 

where the Kanawha and Ohio rivers meet, played an important role in the settlement of 

America. In 1774, the colonial army won the Battle of Point Pleasant, opening the area to 

the first permanent white settlers and paving the way for continued western expansion. 

Today, you can relive the town’s history through a one-of-a-kind outdoor museum. 

Visit the city’s riverfront where world-class art and high-tech sounds come together in 

“An American Beginning.” Intricate murals portray life on the frontier, while sound 

effects put you in the middle of the action. Work on this museum continues and 

officials expect to have tram rides in place soon. 

Point Pleasant also pays homage to its waterfront history with the River Museum. 

Displays, videos, a working pilot house and a research library highlight life on the river 

and the commercial aspects of our waterways. The museum’s 2,400-gallon aquarium 

is home to native Ohio River fish, including paddlefish, gar, catfish, black 

crappie, whiskered carp and largemouth bass. A professional training 

simulator, the Virtual Reality Pilot House, was completed in July 2011 and 

is the most expensive and most technical exhibit yet to be installed at the 

museum. The museum is open year round except on major holidays. For 

hours and admission prices, visit www.pprivermuseum.com. 

If tales of the supernatural pique your interest, Point Pleasant has a 

great one for you. In the weeks prior to the 1967 Silver Bridge collapse, 

The intricate murals of “An American Beginning” outdoor museum 

Far left, Riverfront Park, Point Pleasant 

Photos by Steve Shaluta 

numerous residents claimed to have 

encountered a winged creature dubbed 

Mothman. Over the past four decades, 

Mothman has inspired books, movies 

and television episodes, and is the 

center of the Mothman Festival, which 

is held in the town every September. 

Visitors can check out the statue that 

was been erected in his honor, visit the 

Mothman Museum, tour areas where 

he was sighted and invest in Mothman 

paraphernalia. To find out more about 

the museum, which is open year round, 

and learn about all things Mothman, 

visit www.mothmanmuseum.com. 

Point Pleasant makes the perfect 

getaway for a daytrip or weekend stay. 

Enjoy it by leisurely stroll or tour it by 

car; there is plenty of parking, easily 

accessible sites and interesting stories. 

For more information about the town 

and additional points of interest, visit 

www.pointpleasantwv.org. 

D I S C O V E R W E S T V I R G I N I A 9 

Steve Shaluta

HARLESTON Charming Charleston 

MORGANTOWN 

Haddad Riverfront Park, Charleston 

Street Games 

Geocache Main Street 

Enjoy the high-tech treasure 

hunt called geocaching? 

All 12 of West Virginia’s 

Main Street communities 

are participating in the Main 

Street WV Challenge. Search 

for the “Surprise to Find” gifts 

in each of the 12 geocaches 

– you could get lucky with a 

gift certificate or coupons to a 

local business! Find out more 

at www.geocachewv.com/ 

MainStreet 

Charleston is a capital city with a small town feel. International and local cuisine, 

a year-round farmers market and minor league baseball are just a few of the amenities 

that make Charleston a great getaway destination. 

Charleston’s East End offers delicious food at reasonable prices. Little India is 

the newest hit restaurant while Bluegrass Kitchen and Tricky Fish are established 

neighborhood favorites. Bluegrass Kitchen specializes in organic and vegetarian food, 

serving lunch and dinner throughout the week and brunch on weekends. Tricky Fish 

serves natural and locally grown “beach shack” food, including tacos, hot dogs and a 

West Virginia favorite, the hot bologna sandwich. Little India brings exotic spices 

and traditional Indian foods to Washington Street. For menus and hours visit 

www.littleindiawv.com, www.trickyfish.net and bluegrasswv.com. 

If preparing your own food is more your style, be sure to visit Capitol Market. The market 

is known for its wide selection of in-season fruits and vegetables, fine wine, fresh seafood 

and handcrafted chocolates. Visit www.capitolmarket.net for a complete list of vendors. 

While you’re in the neighborhood, take in a baseball game at Appalachian Power 

Park, home of the West Virginia Power. Enjoy specials like Sunday’s Kids Day, 

Monday’s Buck Night featuring $1 tickets, hot dogs and fountain drinks, or Friday 

night’s post-game fireworks displays. The team is a minor league affiliate of the 

Pittsburgh Pirates. For a schedule of home games, visit www.wvpower.com. 

If you like the great outdoors, Charleston is home to Coonskin Park and 

Kanawha State Forest. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy Kanawha State Forest’s mountain 

biking and hiking trails, while families find the children’s playgrounds and numerous free 

Steve Shaluta 

picnic sites great places to spend an afternoon. Visitors to Coonskin 

Park might have a hard time choosing how to spend their leisure 

time because of the number of facilities the park offers. Hiking and 

biking trails, a handicapped-accessible 18-hole, par-3 golf course, 

Olympic-size swimming pool, and tennis and volleyball courts 

are all within miles of downtown Charleston. In recent years, 

Coonskin added the symphony-size Schoenbaum Amphitheater, 

the 2,000 seat Schoenbaum Soccer Stadium and the Francis P. 

Jordon Golf Learning Center, a 26-acre practice facility open to the 

public seven days a week. Coonskin Park is operated by Kanawha 

County Parks and Recreation; Kanawha State Forest is part of the 

West Virginia State Parks System. To find out more, visit www. 

kanawhastateforest.com and www.kcprc.com/coonskin_park.htm. 

Read about Charleston’s West Side Main Street at 

wvcommerce.org/CharmingCharleston. 

Endless Options in Morgantown 

Morgantown is best known as the home of the West Virginia University Mountaineers, 

but this Main Street Community is so much more than just a college town. The 

revitalized Wharf District, thriving downtown and diverse mixture of small businesses 

and professional services make the perfect location for a West Virginia getaway. 

Morgantown has a restaurant to fit every lifestyle, budget, time frame and 

culinary taste. Spend an afternoon sipping coffee at The Blue Moose Café (www. 

thebluemoosecafe.com) or Jay’s Daily Grind (www.jaysdailygrind.net). Go all out for date 

Spring flower shopping at Charleston’s Capitol Market. 

night with an Italian dinner at Oliverio’s 

Ristorante on the Wharf (www. 

oliveriosristorante.com), or enjoy the 

upscale wine and martini bar, wood-fired 

pizza and full menu of The Vintage Room 

(www.bwvintageroom.com). End dinner 

table drama by taking the kids to a family 

friendly establishment like the Brickyard 

Pub (www.brickyardpubmorgantown. 

com) or Black Bear Burritos 

(www.blackbearburritos.com). 

Stroll through downtown on Friday, 

Oct. 14, 2011, to see local artists’ 

masterpieces. From 6-9 p.m., more than 

40 businesses will open their doors 


Ron Snow 

An evening out in Morgantown. 

Alex Wilson

to display the work of those who 

challenge the status quo through 

their artistic creations. As you take 

it all in, you also can take home 

four unique bookmarks that feature 

area artists. Add music to this 

evening and your choice of unique 

dining options and you have a 

perfect Friday night. 

There are so many things 

to do in Morgantown that the 

Greater Morgantown Convention 

& Visitors Bureau came up with 

the list “25 Free Things to do in 

Greater Morgantown.” Options 

include climbing 30-foot boulders 

at Rock City in Coopers Rock 

State Forest, seeing the star show 

at the WVU Tomchin Planetarium 

& Observatory, and enjoying a 

wine tasting and tour at Forks of 

Cheat Winery. Start planning your 

Morgantown excursion today: visit 

www.tourmorgantown.com. 

Shopping in Morgantown. 

Alex Wilson 


FAIRMONT 

Fairmont: The Friendly City 

Just a 30-minute drive south of Morgantown on I-79 is Fairmont. This town, 

nicknamed “The Friendly City,” is the perfect place for families seeking food, fun 

and festivals. Fairmont is known for several firsts, including being the Home of the 

Original Pepperoni Roll. Created in 1927 as a lunch food for local coal miners, the 

pepperoni roll is still on the menu at restaurants like Colasessano’s Pizza & Pepperoni 

Rolls (www.colasessanos.com). For the best burger in town, be sure to check out 

The Poky Dot. This 1950s-themed diner has a full menu of super suppers, sandwiches, 

munchies and desserts. Of course, those aren’t the only 

culinary treats you will find in Fairmont. 

This Great American Main Street community 

is home to a host of other great restaurants, 

as well as unique stores for your shopping 

pleasure. Visit www.mainstreetfairmont.org 

for dining and shopping options. 

Steve Shaluta 

Window shopping on Fairmont’s Main Street. 

Nearby Prickett’s Fort State Park is a re-creation of the original fort that stood on 

the site in 1774. Interpreters recreate life as it was on the western frontier, including 

period dress, colonial crafts, blacksmithing, spinning and weaving. Prickett’s Fort is a 

day-use park and admission is required. For more information, visit 

www.prickettsfortstatepark.com. 

As you can see, the hardest part of 

planning a Main Street getaway is 

deciding which to visit first. 

Take two weeks’ vacation this year 

and visit all 12: Charleston East End 

and Charleston West Side, Fairmont, 

Kingwood, Mannington, Martinsburg, 

Morgantown, Philippi, Point Pleasant, 

Ripley, Ronceverte and White Sulphur 

Springs. Visit www.wvcommerce.org/ 

MainStreetCommunities. 

Steve Shaluta 

Spooky Sites 

Point Pleasant is one of several 

spots in West Virginia alleged to 

be haunted. Psyche yourself up 

for Halloween with a “haunted 

road trip.” Take a ghost tour 

in Parkersburg, Lewisburg, 

Beckley or Harpers Ferry. Spend 

a terrifying night in the Trans 

Allegheny Lunatic Asylum or 

West Virginia Penitentiary. 

For a “spooktacular” map of 

West Virginia’s hauntings, visit 

www.wvtourism.com/hauntings. 

The J.J. Abrams/ 

Steven Spielberg summer 

blockbuster Super 8 was 

filmed in Weirton. 

Go behind the scenes of the 

sci-fi adventure online at 

www.wvfilm.com/super8. 

Leslie Fitzwater was born and 

raised in West Virginia and can’t 

imagine living anywhere else. She 

enjoys learning about the state’s 

heritage, folklore and mysteries. 

Contact: leslie.c.fitzwater@wv.gov

aMerican civil War 

150th anniversary tour 

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the American 

Civil War. The harrowing battle raged for four years, pitting brother 

against brother at the cost of more than 600,000 lives. Out of the 

war, however, a new state was born, and the only one created 

as a direct result of the war – West Virginia. 

“West Virginia is rich in Civil War heritage. History buffs will find 

much to interest them here,” said Betty Carver, commissioner of the 

West Virginia Division of Tourism. “For instance, the First Campaign 

of the war was waged in West Virginia. The state’s Civil War-era 

towns, battlefields and cemeteries are a hugely 

popular itinerary for driving tours.” 

Whether you’re a scholar, a historian, or just 

someone who’s interested, commemorate 

this monumental anniversary with a 

walk or drive through history. 


Places to see, things to do 

The following sites and events are accessible to tourists and provide an 

entertaining and educational experience for the whole family: 

1. The Battle of Philippi was fought on June 3, 1861, in Barbour County and is 

the site of the first land battle – and amputation – of the Civil War. Visitors 

can trace the area’s Civil War history through Philippi’s Historical Museum, 

Blue and Gray Park, and the downtown historical district. 

2. Grafton National Cemetery in Taylor County is the burial site of the first 

Union officer killed in the war, T. Bailey Brown. 

3. Historic Beverly in Randolph County was a gathering place for Virginia 

Confederate troops. Following the Union victory at Rich Mountain, many 

Southern supporters fled south, and the Federals took control of the town. 

Beverly offers public museums, private historical attractions and more. 

4. The Battle of Camp Allegheny took place on Dec. 13, 1861, in Pocahontas 

County. Confederate forces under Col. Edward Johnson occupied the summit 

of Allegheny Mountain to defend the Staunton-Parkersburg Pike. At dawn on 

Dec. 13, they were attacked by Union forces under Brig. Gen. Robert H. Milroy. 

5. The Battle of Cheat Mountain took place Sept. 12–15, 1861, in Pocahontas 

and Randolph counties. Confederate forces led an unsuccessful attack 

against Federal troops at Fort Milroy, also known as Cheat Summit Fort. At 

an elevation of 4,085 feet, Cheat Summit Fort was the highest Union camp 

in the war. Earthworks from the old fort remain today. A re-enactment and 

other events commemorating the battle will take place Sept. 3-4, 2011. 

6. The Battle of Corrick’s Ford took place on July 13, 1861, on the Cheat River 

in Tucker County. It is here where Confederate Brig. Gen. Robert S. Garnett 

became the first general officer killed in the war. 

Civil War Trails 

The Civil War Trails is a multi-state program that identifies, interprets and creates driving 

tours of Civil War sites. The program interprets more than 1,100 Civil War sites throughout 

West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and Tennessee. In West Virginia, there 

are about 150 sites in development that will feature Civil War Trails program interpretive 

panels. The West Virginia Civil War Trails map is 

available at www.civilwarwv.com or by calling 

1-800-CALL-WVA. 

The program is administered by a nonprofit 

corporation and supported by local 

communities, state tourism offices and state 

departments of transportation. In 2001, 

the National Trust for Historic Preservation 

identified the Civil War Trails program as 

one of the most successful and sustainable 

heritage tourism programs in the nation. 

Statewide events are planned throughout 

the year to commemorate the 150th 

anniversary of the Civil War. To learn 

more about West Virginia events, sites, 

trails and re-enactments, visit 

www.civilwarwv.com. 

Ron Snow 

Civil War Firsts 

The First Campaign led to many 

Civil War “firsts,” including the first 

battle, first amputee, first general 

killed and first use of telegraph in 

the war. 

First Campaign of the Civil War: 

Began May 27, 1861 

First trains used to carry soldiers 

into battle on American soil: 

May 1861 

First officer killed: 

Robert S. Garnett, C.S.A. – 

July 13, 1861 (Corricks Ford - Parsons) 

First enlisted man in 

United States service killed by 

Confederate Soldier: 

T. Bailey Brown – May 22, 1861 

(Buried at Grafton National Cemetery) 

First amputation of the Civil War: 

James E. Hanger – June 3, 1861 

First land battle of the Civil War: 

Philippi – June 3, 1861 

First Union government 

restored in a Confederate state: 

Wheeling – June 20, 1863 

First time Robert E. Lee 

leads troops into battle as a 

commanding general: 

Sept. 1861 

First use of telegraph by an 

American army in the field: 

June 1861 

First Federal officer wounded 

by a Confederate: 

Colonel Benjamin Kelley – 

June 3, 1861 

First use of indirect firing method: 

Fayetteville, WV – May 1863 

Sources: 

Lesser, H. (2004). Rebels at the Gate 

WV Division of Culture and History

Discovering where West Virginia 

generates, conserves, dispenses 

and reclaims energy is a unique 

idea for exploring the state. The 

trek will lead you to destinations 

that range from historical to 

visionary, pastoral to industrial. 

While coal produces more than 

90 percent of the energy needs 

of the state – and approximately 

half of the electricity needs of the 

nation – it is not the whole story. In 

the 2009 West Virginia Alternative 

and Renewable Portfolio, the state 

challenges itself to meet 25 percent 

of electric sales by alternative and 

renewable sources by 2025. To 

achieve that goal, the state turns 

to the wind, sun, water and other 

sources to create or save energy. 

PoWer 

triPs 

mountain state 

energy tour 

By Catherine Zacchi 

Saving energy is a “green” idea that has taken 

root on the roof tops of WVU’s Brooks Hall. 

Green 

BuildinGs 

Upperglade 

An “energy tour” might begin in the central West Virginia community of 

Upperglade, where Webster County High School is the first school in West Virginia 

to “go geo.” The school heats and cools with geothermal heat pumps. Like a cave, the 

ground under the earth’s surface remains at constant temperature year-round; cooler 

in summer and warmer in winter. In winter, geothermal pumps transfer the subsurface 

heat into buildings; in summer, they transfer the building’s heat into the ground. 

Webster County High School’s system uses 240 wells up to 300 feet deep with more 

than 28 miles of underground piping. Call 304-226-5772 to arrange an in-person tour. 

Morgantown 

The tour of “green” buildings continues north to Morgantown, where the roof of Brooks 

Hall, the West Virginia University Department of Geology and Geography building, has 

been literally going “green” since 2007. The roof has been covered with a waterproof PVC 

membrane, topped with layers of lightweight growth medium and planted with varieties of 

drought-resistant flowering sedum. The increased ‘R’ insulating factor from the soil helps 

reduce heating and cooling costs inside the building. The PVC membrane is protected from 

UV rays by the soil covering it, extending the life of the system by approximately 40 percent. 

The green roof is off limits to normal foot traffic for safety reasons as well as plant protection, 

but it can be viewed from several vantage points: the Woodburn Promenade, Armstrong 

Hall and several areas within Brooks Hall, including the bridge connector and fifth floor 

elevator lobby. For more information and pictures, visit Genuinewv.org/BrooksHall. 

NedPower Mount Storm Wind Farm, Grant County 


Charleston 

A Capital Idea! 

Charleston is the only 

state capital with a hydrogen 

production and fueling 

station. Based at Yeager 

Airport, the station uses 

power from coal-fired 

electricity to break water 

molecules (H O) into separate 

2 

hydrogen and oxygen atoms. 

The hydrogen is used to fuel 

vehicles used by Yeager 

Airport and by the West 

Virginia Air National Guard. 

Ron Snow 


nErgy MusEuMs Parkersburg 

Morgantown 

Another Morgantown energy tour 

attraction is the West Virginia Geological 

and Economic Survey. Housed in a 

converted state park lodge, the Survey 

overlooks Cheat Lake. The former lobby 

now serves as a mini-museum, displaying 

minerals, fossils and casts of T-Rex skulls. 

“Perhaps the most striking and 

popular display is that of a full-sized 

Edmontosaurus (pronounced ed-MONto-SAWR-us) 

dinosaur, mounted on a 

wall,” said Michael Hohn, director and 

state geologist. The mini-museum also 

features models of prehistoric fish that 

Bramwell 

Stroll through the Past 

Wealthy coal barons built 

lavish mansions in Bramwell 

in Mercer County. Called “the 

richest small town in America,” 

Bramwell was once home to as 

many as 19 millionaires. Many 

of the elegant homes remain 

well preserved today. Catch 

a glimpse of that bygone era 

with a self-guided walking 

tour or a pre-arranged group 

tour of historic Bramwell. 

Visit www.wvtourism.com/ 

HistoricBramwell. 

Full-sized Edmontosaurus 

in the WVGS mini-museum. 

swam in oceans that once covered the state. 

The majority of visitors come for the Survey’s records, maps and other data on oil, 

gas and coal, Hohn said. An oil and gas company may want to research reserves and 

surrounding activity before deciding to lease a specific property, or a family may want 

to find out whether there are coal reserves under their property. 

Soaring interest in Marcellus Shale is drawing extra attention to the Survey’s 

website, which has a Frequently Asked Questions page and a downloadable “geoenabled” 

interactive map. The map is layered, so you can make visible the features that 

interest you – completed wells for example – and hide those that don’t. Get Michael 

Hohn’s full story about the Geological Survey at Genuinewv.org/GeoEconomicSurvey 

and check out the interactive Marcellus Shale maps at www.wvgs.wvnet.edu. 

Beckley 

Any energy tour in West Virginia must include coal. The Beckley Exhibition Coal 

Museum and Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia in Beckley allows visitors to 

explore a former coal mine, guided by an experienced miner. Visitors travel underground 

in authentic “man cars” from the mine entrance to old working mine areas and back. 

Above ground, guests can stroll around 

the recreated company coal town with 

company house, miner’s shanty and camp 

school. For more information, call 304- 

256-1747 or visit www.wvtourism.com/ 

ExhibitionCoalMuseum. 

Visitors ride 1500 feet beneath New River Park. 

Photo by Steve Shaluta 

Coal isn’t the only fossil fuel found in abundance 

in West Virginia. Continue the energy tour at the Oil 

and Gas Museum, 119 Third Street, Parkersburg. The 

museum showcases the region’s oil and gas heritage. 

The exhibits portray the role the thriving commercial 

oil and gas industry and its leaders played in forming 

the state of West Virginia. Following the end of the 

Civil War in 1865, West Virginia enjoyed a period of 

prosperity when the oil and gas industry experienced 

an economic “boom” period in the 1890s. The eclectic 

museum includes a large Civil War section among its 

displays. For more information, visit www.wvtourism.com/OilandGasMuseum. 

reclamation 

Mylan Park 

Across the state, mined lands have 

been redeveloped for residential use, 

tourism, energy, schools, government 

facilities and manufacturing. 

Reclamation projects like Mylan Park 

have created more than 13,000 jobs in 

12 counties, according to reports from the West Virginia Division of Energy and the 

Office of Coalfield Community Developments. Mylan Park was reclaimed and now is 

a 320-acre recreational and education complex. “Mylan Park has become an engine 

for economic development,” said Bob Pirner, director of development. “More than 400 

people report to work within the park every day. Mylan Park is home to events such 

as MountainFest, the Pro Performance RX and Pro Medical Rehabilitation indoor 

sports training facility and the 53,000-square-foot Hazel and JW Ruby Expo Center. 

The park serves as host and incubator to schools such as Mylan Park Elementary 

and several nonprofit community services organizations.” For more information and 

pictures, visit Genuinewv.org/MylanPark. 

The Oil and Gas Museum tells the story of the oil and gas industry’s 

influence on West Virginia’s formation. 

Glen Jean 

Acres of Adventure 

Set to open in 2013, 

The Summit: Baechtel 

Family National Scouting 

Reserve will be an adventure 

center operated by the Boy 

Scouts of America (BSA) and 

new permanent home of the 

National Scout Jamboree. 

A portion of the 10,600-acre 

property near Glen Jean 

in Fayette County includes 

reclaimed mine land. Visit 

WVTourism.com/BoyScouts to 

learn more. 


Ron Snow

AlternAtive 

energies 

McDonald’s fuel for thought. 

Evansdale 

Taking a Shine to Solar 

The state’s largest 

solar electric system sits 

atop the roof of The Book 

Exchange on Patteson Drive 

in Evansdale, Monongalia 

County. The 52 PV panels 

gather energy from the sun 

and produce an estimated 10 

percent of the store’s annual 

energy needs. The system 

was designed and installed 

by West Virginia-based 

PIMBY Energy. 

Steve Shaluta 


Huntington 

At the Huntington McDonald’s, customers can refuel their bodies – and recharge 

their electric cars. The McDonald’s at the corner of Fifth and First Streets is the first 

in the country with Level 2 electric car chargers. The restaurant replaced the one 

on Washington Ave., notable as the first McDonald’s in West Virginia. The original 

restaurant was owned by the father of current franchise owner Tom Wolf. During the 

charging station’s grand opening in December 2010, Chris Schafer, electric transportation 

program manager for American Electric Power (AEP), was on hand with the company’s 

Ford Escape plug-in electric vehicle. Wolf acknowledges that electric cars are not the 

norm – yet. “Tom is making this cutting edge technology available here and now as 

more customers turn to electric cars in the future,” said Emily Myers, public relations 

representative for Wolfe’s franchise. “Tom sees this as a progressive effort that prepares 

for the future and makes use of West Virginia’s resources today.” For more about the 

Huntington McDonald’s electric car charger, visit Genuinewv.org/HuntingtonMcDonald. 

Ansted 

Hawks Nest Hydropower was constructed as a 25 Hz generation facility during 

the early 1930s in Ansted in Fayette County. Water from the New River was diverted 

into a 30-foot diameter tunnel that would run three miles and drop 162 feet under 

Gauley Mountain before being used to power four 25.5 MW 25Hz hydroelectric units. 

A historical marker at Hawks Nest overlook commemorates the deaths of hundreds of 

workers – mostly African-American – who died from silicosis during 

construction of the tunnel. Since it went online in 1936, the plant 

has been producing electricity for the electrometallurgical plant, 12 

miles downstream. Nearby, Hawks Nest State Park offers walking 

trails with good views of the surrounding gorge and the Hawks 

Nest Dam and Lake. Hawks Nest State Park offers aerial tram rides 

overlooking the river, lake and dam. The place to start planning 

your visit to park is www.wvtourism.com/HawksNest. 

Glen Ferris 

The Kanawha River helped fuel the hydroelectric 

Glen Ferris plant, 35 miles southeast of Charleston. 

On the way back from Hawks Nest, visit another water-generated power producer 

at Glen Ferris Hydroelectric Plant. Built in 1899 on the Kanawha River, the 5.45 

megawatt Glen Ferris hydroelectric plant powered the local industry. In 2010, Brookfield 

Renewable Power began a $25 million rehabilitation of the historic facility. Plans call for 

all eight turbines to be restored to service in 2012. No tours are given due to safety and 

security reasons, but the plant and construction can be seen from the Kanawha Falls 

fishing area. The Glen Ferris Inn provides a vantage point to view the falls and plant. 

Mount Storm Wind Farm 

Wrap up your energy tour at the NedPower Mount Storm Wind Farm in Grant 

County. It is the largest wind farm east of the Mississippi, consisting of 132 wind 

turbines along 12 miles of the Allegheny Front. 

The farm generates 264 megawatts of electricity 

from wind, a renewable energy source. To find 

additional attractions in the area, visit 

www.wvtourism.com/MountStormLake. 

NedPower Mount Storm Wind Farm 


Steve Shaluta 

Geology Underlies it All 

Geology is more than history 

written in stone. The science 

of recording what lies beneath 

West Virginia is all in a day’s 

work for Michael Ed. Hohn, 

director and state geologist of 

the West Virginia Geological and 

Economic Survey, Morgantown. 

“Our primary mission is science: 

the research, study, mapping, 

and dissemination of geological 

information of West Virginia. The 

state’s geological resources play 

an important role in economic 

development. Many people visit 

our office to view records and 

maps and to obtain information 

to natural resources such as coal, 

oil or gas,” Hohn said. 

For instance, a person may 

wish to know whether there 

are coal reserves under their 

land or if they need to buy 

mine subsidence insurance. 

The Survey assists individuals, 

while working with industry 

representatives, keeping data on 

drilling trends and reserves. 

The Survey also “takes geology 

on the road.” Its popular Visiting 

Geologist program works with 

the West Virginia Division of 

Natural Resources and state 

parks to present educational 

presentations throughout the 

summer months. 

Catherine Zacchi lives in Mineral 

Wells and works for Commerce 

Communications. She enjoys biking 

on the North Bend Rail Trail in Cairo. 

Contact: catherine.m.zacchi@wv.gov

art 

Sparks 

By Andrea Bond 

Tamarack, Beckley 

Rick Lee 

West Virginia’s rich cultural scene 

puts the wonderful in “wild and wonderful.” The Mountain State boasts 

a great array of art galleries and theaters that will keep your family 

engaged and entertained all year long. You’ll find programs to suit all 

ages and tastes – from puppet shows to historical dramas to symphony 

concerts. Likewise, art exhibits encompass every type of media you can 

imagine. Gallery and theater visits can make for an interesting day trip – 

or better yet – plan an arts-themed tour featuring some of these venues. 

Arts 

Beckley 

If you’re traveling I-64/77 through Beckley, be sure to stop at Tamarack: The Best 

of West Virginia, located near the travel plaza. The nation’s first statewide collection 

of handmade crafts, arts and cuisine features 59,000 square feet of juried crafts, 

working art studios for resident artisans, a 178-seat theater and a fine art gallery, as 

well as A Taste of West Virginia food court. Here’s a helpful hint: Plan your travel 

time accordingly, because you just might spend the whole day here! 

Princeton 

The Chuck Mathena Center in 

Princeton boasts an art gallery and 

offers a wide variety of performances, 

from children’s theater to concerts and 

plays. The 2011-2012 season began in 

July. Upcoming performances include 

“A Christmas Carol, “Macbeth,” 

Percy Sledge and Beatles tribute band 

Yesterday. Purchase a CMC Clubhouse 

ticket for pre-show refreshments. 

Chuck Mathena Center, Princeton 


Petersburg 

In Petersburg, the 305-seat Landes 

Arts Center is equipped with a stateof-the-art 

light and sound system and a 

large projection screen, two art galleries, 

dressing rooms and a green room for 

performers. Acoustics are excellent, 

according to organizers, and every seat 

in the house is a good one. The arts 

center’s most recent offerings include 

“County Store Opry” and a Conway 

Twitty-Roy Orbison tribute concert. 


STATe PArkS PuPPets 

Performances under the stars 

Enjoy performances under the stars at 

one of the many amphitheaters nestled 

in the mountains of West Virginia. Many 

State Parks host outdoor performances. 

For information on upcoming shows, 

check the calendar at www.wvstateparks. 

com or call 1 800 CALL WVA. 

Extend a fun evening of live 

performance into an overnight 

vacation at Pipestem Resort State 

Park in Summers County. The park’s 

amphitheater seats 525; attendees 

may also bring blankets for hillside 

seating. Performances run the gamut 

– from community band and dramatic 

presentations to bluegrass and rock 

and roll or the stories and mirth of 

champion liar Bil Lepp. The stage also 

is the setting for nature programs such 

as “Geology! Rocks” and Three Rivers 

Avian Center’s popular “Wings of 

Wonder: Birds of Prey” series. Attendees 

do not have to be overnight visitors to the park, but if you’ve got the time, Pipestem’s 

setting in the beautiful Bluestone Gorge makes it well worth the stay. 

Between Beckley and Princeton, Camp Creek State Park also hosts regular 

performances at its amphitheater. The 8th Annual Appalachian Heritage Festival, 

co-sponsored by the Appalachian Highland Music Association and Camp Creek State 

Park Foundation, will take place Sept. 17 and is billed as a great family-friendly day 

complete with food and music. The park’s convenient location – only two miles off 

I-64 – makes it a popular destination with campers. 

Liz Spurlock Amphitheater at Chief Logan State Park features a series of 

productions starring local singers and actors. Recent offerings include “Cinderella” 

and “Disney’s Jungle Book.” The theater is perhaps best known for it presentation 

of “The Aracoma Story,” the modern version of which blends tales of the Shawnee 

people with the story of young love between an Indian princess and a British soldier. 

While the original Prickett’s Fort of 1774 served as a refuge from Native American 

war parties on the western frontier of Colonial Virginia, Prickett’s Fort State Park in 

Fairmont now serves as a monument to living history. In addition to tours and pioneer 

demonstrations offered daily, the park also stages shows at its outdoor theater. Visitors can 

find entertainment selections ranging 

from string music and polka bands to 

the musical “Annie Get Your Gun.” 

Pipestem Resort State Park 

amphitheater, Mercer County 


“The Aracoma Story,” 

Chief Logan State Park, 

Logan County 

Steve Shaluta 

St. Albans 

Historic Olde Main Plaza in St. Albans is home to a brand-new theater geared 

toward the younger audience. Located across the street from Alban Arts and 

Conference Center, Sassafrass Junction Puppet Theater was born when some friends 

who had been presenting puppet shows at children’s parties decided that the furry, 

friendly creatures needed a place to call home. 

Tara Barton, who owns Sassafras Junction along with partners Chris Lilly and Ben 

Leveque, said business has been great for the theater, which opened in November 

2011. “We’re doing really well. We’re already in the black.” 

Barton said she and her partners write and record their own shows, producing a new 

show every six to seven weeks and sometimes taking the show on the road. “Our shows 

celebrate Appalachian culture. Our characters ‘The Creek Critters,’ are quirky and fun.” 

Puppets line the hallway of 

Wonderment Puppet Theater 

in Martinsburg. 

Martinsburg 

Tucked into a colorful gingerbread 

house in Martinsburg in the Eastern 

Panhandle, Wonderment Puppet Theater 

features hands-on puppet exhibits and a 

puppet store as well as weekend shows. 

Founder Joe Santoro, an elementary 

school art teacher, had spent several 

years traveling the state and performing 

puppet shows at state parks and schools. 

He opened Wonderment Puppet Theater 

in 2008. Upcoming shows include “The 

Elves and the Shoemaker” and “The 

Nutty Nutcracker.” 

Owner Tara Barton with “The Creek Critters” 

and staff of Sassafrass Junction Puppet 

Theater pose for a photo with some of their 

young fans. 


Ron Snow

erforming 

Huntington 

The Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center 

in Huntington is one of West Virginia’s 

premier arts establishments. The 3,000 seat 

theater, built in 1928 in Mexican baroque 

style, captured the opulence of the Roaring 

Twenties. The theater served as a venue 

for vaudeville shows and eventually was 

converted into a movie theater. 

At the turn of the 21st century, competition 

from newer movie theaters nearly led to the 

Keith-Albee’s demise. But the community 

rallied around their beloved theater, raising 

funds to restore and remodel the site. 

Now called the Keith-Albee Performing 

Arts Center, the theater serves as the 

venue for Marshall University’s Elkins 

Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, Huntington 

Photo by David Fatalleh 

Marshall Artist Series. It is host to an 

Visitors to Elkins can enjoy a Branson-style variety show at the American 

array of contemporary touring shows, from Mountain Theater. Each performances is a mix of country, gospel, pop and patriotic 

comedians to musicians to musicals – music, rounded out with family-friendly comedic impersonations. The theater’s 

yet retains its breathtaking interior décor. popular shows include a Christmas Spectacular, Southern Gospel Series, and the 

The theater is listed on the National History of American Music, which encompasses decades’ worth of music, from jazz 

Register of Historic Places as part of the and blues to modern rock and roll. 

Huntington Downtown Historical District. 

Elkins also is home to the newly opened Gandy Dancer Theatre and Conference 

Center, located at the Steer Steakhouse. The dinner theater seats up to 

400 people and serves as a venue for topquality 

live entertainment. Sound systems 

and flat-screen, closed-circuit television 

monitors make it possible for all guests to 

Ripley 

This Place Matters 

have a front row view of the stage. The 

house band, Mountain Memories Show 

Main Street Ripley’s restored Alpine Theatre 

Band, performs shows of classical country, 

placed 21st in the nation in the National 

1950s-era popular, bluegrass, gospel, old- 

Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2011 “This 

Place Matters” competition. More than 260 

historic buildings were entered. 

time rock and roll and comedy. 


The Gandy Dancer Theatre performers 

Grandview 

In Grandview, Theatre West Virginia was founded in 1955 as the West Virginia 

Historical Drama Association. Set at Cliffside Amphitheatre in Raleigh County, 

the company is famous for its long-running outdoor dramas, “Honey in the Rock” 

and “Hatfields and McCoys.” The venue also hosts children’s performances and rock 

and roll shows. For a different perspective, you can even go behind the scenes with a 

special backstage tour before the show. Shows run during the summer and fall. 

Fayette County 

“Honey in the Rock” 

Camp Washington-Carver, a mountain retreat located near Babcock State Park 

in Fayette County, hosts seasonal events from concerts to theater. The cultural arts 

center, which opened in 1942 as a 4-H camp for West Virginia’s African-American 

youth, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The camp’s Great Chestnut 

Lodge is the largest log structure of its kind in the world. Camp Washington-Carver is 

best known as host to the Appalachian String Band Festival, a five-day mountaintop 

gathering during which participants 

camp out and enjoy live music, 

dancing, workshops and more. 

Ron Snow 

For more information on art, music 

and theater activities in West Virginia, 

visit wvtourism.com/ThingsToDo 

and wvtourism.com/Entertainment. 

You also can search for venues via 

the website’s Travel Planner tool - 

wvtourism.com/TravelPlanner. 

Steve Shaluta 

Contemporary Theatre 

on Main Street 

Shepherdstown’s Contemporary 

American Theater Festival 

(CAFT) at Shepherd University is 

developing a national reputation 

as “the summer home for the 

American playwright.” In fact, 

two of five plays it featured 

in repertory last year were 

recommended for the 2011 

American Theatre Critics 

Association new play award – a 

rare honor for any theater. 

CAFT Associated Producing 

Director Peggy McKowen 

explained that while the festival 

has a growing subscription 

based from DC and Baltimore 

and draws people from 36 states 

and other countries, they value 

the community’s support. 

“Being able to produce vital, new 

theatre would be an exciting 

career no matter where I would 

live. There are so few companies 

doing what we do,” she said. “But 

to have that opportunity to do 

that in Shepherdstown and to 

have the audience support for 

theatre and the arts that we have 

here is unique. Shepherdstown is 

a magical place.” 

Visit www.catf.org for performance 

schedules and more information. 

Andrea Bond is a writer for the 

West Virginia Department of 

Commerce. She enjoys hiking and 

kayaking in the New River Gorge 

and Monongahela National Forest. 

Contact: andrea.b.bond@wv.gov

HigH-tecH 

family fun tour 

GREENBANK 

From Green Bank to the Galaxy 


By Courtney Sisk 

Photography by Ron Snow 

Keeping children 

engaged and entertained on long weekends 

can be a tall order, but many parents also want to include 

a little education in family fun. A quick trip around the 

Mountain State can spark a love of science and technology. 

More than 50,000 visitors come to the 

National Radio Astronomy Observatory 

in Green Bank each year for something 

they can’t see anywhere else: the world’s 

largest fully steerable telescope. 

“There’s literally nothing like it in the 

world,” said Sue Ann Heatherly, senior 

education officer. “We get visitors from 

as far away as New Zealand who want to 

see it.” 

Tours of the observatory start in the 

Science Center, which is a 4,000 squarefoot 

exhibit hall that opened in 2003. 

It includes a planetarium and interactive exhibits for kids of all ages. From there, a 

shuttle bus takes visitors for an up close look at the telescope. 

“This is a great family destination,” Heatherly said. “Little kids enjoy the bus 

ride and once you’re there it’s nice to stroll around and look at the telescope.” 

The NRAO offers special high-tech tours twice a month. These tours take 

visitors behind the scenes into the labs, where scientists build receivers for the 

telescope or work on other projects. Scientists from all over the world apply 

for a spot in the telescope control room, where it costs 50 cents per second to 

operate it. Star labs are shown each week in the planetarium. 

The NRAO is open seven days a week in the summer. After Labor Day, it is 

open Thursday through Monday. Operating hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free 

tours are offered every hour, and admission to the science center is also free. 

Learn more at www.gb.nrao.edu. 

Students from North Carolina gather for a lesson in 

the Star Lab inflatable planetarium at Green Bank. 

Senior Education Officer Sue Ann Heatherly explains 

what to look for in the night sky. 

High school students from North Carolina take 

part in a scientific scavenger hunt, solving 

problems along the way.

Ron Snow 

FAIRMONT 

Out of this World 

HUNTINGTON 

LEGO Lessons 

LEGO projects make for serious learning as we 

head to Huntington for a stop at LEGO City. Part 

of the Rahall Appalachian Transportation Institute 

The WVU-NASA Robotics Center uses 

on the campus of Marshall University, it seems 

like simply a room full of the little toys. But what’s 

multiple robotic platforms to research 

happening here is getting kids hooked on math and 

and test the application of robotic 

space operations. 

science by teaching the fundamentals of robotics. 

Director Linda Hamilton says lessons with LEGO 

materials can be the building blocks for the future. 

“Science, technology, engineering and math 

A robotic arm, equipped with vision and 

has to be the focus now to get them ready for the 

touch sensors, independently positions 

itself to dock with a satellite. Once docked, 

additional robotic operations will refuel 

next generation of jobs,” Hamilton said.”What they 

learn here is that math is not about solving problem 

At Marshall’s LEGO City, kids can learn to build several 

robotics projects and see how they move. 

and repair the satellite. 

number 10 on page 177. It’s actually learning how to make something go, and making 

America’s space program is also front and center in Fairmont. NASA is 

it go faster and slower, how things work, what will happen if we put more weight on or 

based hundreds of miles from West Virginia, but work going on here is critical 

make other changes. These are things you can’t learn from books. They realize that 

to maintaining safety in outer space. NASA has an operations center in the I-79 

math and science can be fun, and someday they can do it and get paid for it.” 

Technology Park, where the Independent Verification & Validation Facility (IV&V) is 

Hamilton takes a version of LEGO City to summer camps and library programs 

responsible for verifying and validating mission-critical software on behalf of Goddard 

during the summer. But she’s also available for families to stop by for a one-day 

Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. IV&V was established in 1993 in the 

session. She says groups of three children are ideal because they can work on a 

Bridgeport 

SLICk Space Luggage 

The composite Super 

Lightweight Interchangeable 

wake of the Challenger accident. Now, no software goes into space without first being 

checked in West Virginia. The facility has a full calendar of events and activities 

open to the public. Visitors can participate in hands-on activities that will uniquely 

inspire and engage future generations of explorers. Also, the IV&V Facility’s Educator 

robotics project as a team, and kids as young as six can take part. 

“We can build and program a robot, cars, monorails and snowplows,” Hamilton 

said. “It’s not about coming here and building a toy. They’ll learn about gears, axels, 

levers and pulleys, which are all part of making things move.” 

Clarksburg 

Who are you? 

The FBI’s Integrated Automated 

Carrier (SLIC) is a new breed of 

equipment carrier that allowed 

the Space Shuttle to transport 

Resource Center provides free, NASA-endorsed science, technology, engineering, and 

mathematics curriculum for educators and students. Visit www.ivv.nasa.gov for 

The fun doesn’t end when kids leave. They can log on to the Internet and control 

the transportation systems in LEGO City. The planet 

(IAFIS) is the world’s largest 

biometric database. It’s located at 

the Criminal Justice Information 

Hubble Space Telescope. 

The SLIC is built in Bridgeport 

by FMW Composite Systems, 

more information. 

In November 2010, the ribbon was cut on the WVU-NASA Robotics Center at 

the tech park. Scientists and engineers at the center are developing software and 

Mars is also part of the colorful, miniature community. 

Thousands of people from all over the world have 

logged on to steer LEGO versions of NASA’s Mars 

Services Division in Clarksburg. 

IAFIS’s average response time 

in a criminal investigation is 

around 10 minutes. In addition to 

Inc. FMW specializes in 

composite manufacturing 

utilizing a variety of matrix 

robotic components that will capture existing satellites to refuel and repair them 

while in orbit. This technology will be utilized for future space missions as part of the 

rovers around a tabletop recreation of the Red Planet. 

For more information visit www.marshall.edu/LEGO. 

criminal histories, tattoos, mug 

shots and physical characteristics 

systems, including metal, 

polymer and rubber. 

NASA Space Servicing Capabilities Project. The project development and robotic 

such as height, weight, and hair 

and eye color. 

technology will be showcased in outreach programs to schools around the state. 

Linda Hamilton works with one of the robotics that 

For more information contact Dr. Thomas Evans at Thomas.Evans@mail.wvu.edu. 

maneuver around LEGO City at Marshall University. 


30 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A D I S C O V E R W E S T V I R G I N I A 31

Young visitors to the Clay Center 

play with an exhibit and conduct a 

scientific experiment. 

HARLESTON 

Old Favorites, New Fun 

When the Clay Center for the Arts 

and Sciences opened in Charleston the 

summer of 2003, the goal was to offer 

kids and their parents a place to explore 

science on the screen and in their 

hands. Eight years later, the dream is 

being realized each day. 

South Charleston 

Research Pays Off 

The West Virginia Education, 

Research and Technology Park 

(WVERTP) in South Charleston 

is the newest research campus 

in the higher education system. 

Focus areas include energy, 

chemicals and biotechnology. 

The goal is to turn investments 

in higher education and 

research into business and 

economic growth. 


“The Clay Center is great for families because they can learn together, whether it’s 

a movie about oceans in the giant-screen theater, a planetarium show, or an exhibit,” 

said Lewis Ferguson, director of Visual Arts and Sciences. 

The Clay Center has a new gallery called Mylan Explore-atory. It features a variety 

of changing, temporary science exhibits throughout the year to give guests new and 

different experiences. There will be a new exhibit every three months. 

“These will be appealing to all age groups,” Ferguson said. “The first one was all 

about the history of toys and the science behind them. Then we had a space exhibit 

where visitors could see the world from a satellite’s perspective. This past summer 

we let people put their sleuthing skills to the test. They used forensic science 

techniques like fingerprinting and DNA analysis to investigate clues at a crime scene.” 

The Clay Center has several exhibits and play areas that are permanent fixtures. 

Gizmo Factory is made up of more than 30 exhibits exploring physical science with 

emphasis on engineering, sound, light, color, energy and magnetism. Health Royale 

lets kids explore the human body and test their health knowledge. Kidspace is an area 

reserved for the littlest visitors, age five and under. 

The Clay Center also offers workshops for both kids and adults. The hours are 

Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more 

information visit www.theclaycenter.org. 

Students from Harrison Middle School in Pittsburgh fly a mission 

to the moon at the Challenger Learning Center in Wheeling. 

WHEELING 

Blast Off! 

In Wheeling, the Challenger Learning Center brings the dream of space travel 

to life. Kids climb aboard a space station, conduct scientific experiments and work 

together to solve problems. “Missions” include going to the moon, Mars or exploring 

Earth from space. Students in Mission Control direct the activities of the students on 

board the space station by navigating, maintaining life support systems, communicating 

or conducting research. The students experience the critical thinking, leadership, 

cooperation and problem-solving challenges necessary for mission success. 

“They really make the connection between what they learn in school and what 

they do here,” said Annie Morgan, assistant director of on-site programs at the center. 

“We see the light bulb go off, when they realize why their teacher made them learn 

certain concepts. It’s so hands-on and interactive. They love challenging themselves 

and handling the mock emergency situations. Each mission lasts about four hours, 

and what we usually hear is that they wish it were longer!” 

The Challenger Learning Center opened at Wheeling Jesuit in 1994, and it’s one 

of 48 centers across the United States. Each year the center reaches 30,000 students 

either through onsite missions or the 750 video connections made to classrooms 

around the world. The program was started in 1986 by the families of the seven 

astronauts killed in the Challenger explosion that same year. 

“This program is such a fitting tribute, and I think the astronauts would be proud 

to see what’s come out of the tragedy,” Morgan said. 

To see kids in action during a mission, log on to wvcommerce.org/BlastOff. For more 

information about the Challenger Learning Center go to clc.cet.edu. 

From silicon chips to 

touch screens 

Did you know that some of the 

raw materials and components for 

your favorite personal electronics 

came from West Virginia? 

Nearly one-third of all silicon 

used in the United States, Canada 

and Mexico comes from the WVA 

Manufacturing LLC plant, tucked 

into the scenic upper Kanawha 

Valley. The small town of Alloy 

is home to the largest silicon 

metal smelter in North America. 

Its smelter operates around the 

clock. Every day of the year, it 

produces 360,000 to 380,000 

pounds of high-grade silicon 

metal that goes to industrial and 

consumer products, including 

microchips and electronics. 

Meanwhile, glass for touch 

screens is manufactured by 

EuropTech USA, Clarksburg. The 

company designs custom display 

panels with special coatings, 

silk-screening, special edgework 

and lamination for hand-held 

devices, kiosks, ATMs and 

numerous consumer, medical 

and military applications. 

A public information specialist with 

the Department of Commerce, 

Courtney Sisk was born and raised in 

Beckley and is a proud graduate of 

Marshall University. She and her son, 

Andrew, enjoy all the fun both indoors 

and out that West Virginia has to offer.

easy green 

being 

in West Virginia 

By Kim Harbour 

Photography by Steve Shaluta 

CHARLESTON 

Growing Business – 

somewhere that’s green 

Are you dreaming of getting away for a weekend – or a lifetime – to 

someplace greener? Whether you want to start your own eco-friendly 

business or visit one, West Virginia is the place for you. 

“People hunger for authentic places to eat and drink. They’re looking 

for different experiences or unique products. They want something they 

can tell their friends about,” said Justin Gaull. Gaull is a West Virginia 

Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC) coach who specializes 

in tourism-based businesses. 

“Geotourism is about being aware of our cultural assets and 

packaging them in a way for people to discover,” he added. 

“West Virginia has always been self-sufficient, rural and green. Today, 

there’s real potential to take advantage of the growing interest in local 

foods and eco-friendly travel to build upon what our businesses and 

main streets are naturally doing.” 

Martinsburg SBDC manager Christina Lundberg, agreed. She often 

coaches new entrepreneurs who left the Big City’s traffic and hassles to 

pursue full- or part-time agriculture-based businesses. 

“If you’re just starting, we may talk about how much land you have, whether you 

want it as a hobby and your goals for the next five years,” she said. “After farmers have 

had some successes with a few farmers markets for a few seasons, the questions are 

more related to product: What other items do you grow? Do you 

have enough quantity to expand? What do you do 

with any excess product? Do you want to 

diversify, adding something unique 

like heirloom tomatoes?” 

Panorama at the Peak’s 

certified-organic, humanely- 

raised beef hamburger with 

rosemary roasted organic 

Yukon Gold potatoes 

Far left, Cider Mill House’s 

Katherine Cimaglio on her 

family farm turned B&B. 

Bison calf from Orr’s Farm Market, Martinsburg 

As business coaches, Gaull and 

Lundberg evaluate where the people are 

in their business cycle and work with 

them to identify potential opportunities 

and area resources to help them grow. 

After all, in business, relationship 

is everything. But passion and good 

storytelling go into how the best 

entrepreneurs market themselves and 

the state. 

“It’s the same with any business. You 

have to be passionate about it. You have 

to love what you’re doing and be willing 

to tell your story,” Lundberg said. 


Panorama at the Peak proprietors Leslie Hotaling and 

Patti Miller, along with Executive Chef Scott Collinash 


BERKELEY 

SPRINGS 

What’s the Special? What’s in Season! 

In 2005, when Leslie Hotaling and 

Patti Miller bought an old steak house with 

the idea of creating a farm-centric restaurant, 

there was little interest in local foods and 

no models for what they wanted to do. 

Miller, previously a real estate agent 

in the Washington, D.C. area, had been 

informally researching human health 

and discovering how intimately it is tied 

to our food supply. 

“As I read the literature, I found 

that many diseases could be traced to 

nutrient and micronutrient deficiencies 

in today’s commercially-produced foods. 

I remember being stunned to read that 

it would take our eating four to eight 

oranges to get the same nutrient value of 

iron or vitamin C that our grandmothers 

got with one orange!” Miller said. 

Miller and Hotaling bought a 

second home in West Virginia’s Eastern 

Panhandle. Soon after, the Panorama 

property came up for sale. 

The new proprietors reached out to local farms. “We got to know our farms and 

our farmers. We carved out a niche for supporting people’s knowledge of and access 

to good, local organic and humanely-raised foods.” And in pursuing a small business 

based on a passion, Panorama at the Peak found growing success as the public’s 

appreciation for local food evolved. 

Panorama’s menu changes every week depending on what’s in season. There’s a lot 

of creative interplay between the players. The grower may have extra of something 

that’s in season and the chef figures out how to make something delicious out of it. 

Then the kitchen staff has to be up to the challenge of processing and storing it – 

making preserves and freezing fruits and veggies for year-round use. 

Calling Executive Chef Scott Collinash, the “chef of our dreams,” Miller said one of the 

“most fun things” happened earlier this year when Paul Mock of Mock’s Greenhouse and 

Landscaping, a hydroponic greenhouse in Berkeley Springs, harvested the tomato vines to 

prepare for the next season. There were still green tomatoes on the vines. So, Panorama 

bought 480 pounds of green tomatoes and promoted an event called the Great Green 

Tomato Harvest of January 2011. Panorama’s 

had green tomatoes in every item on the menu: 

green tomato entrees, green tomato chocolate 

cake and even a green tomato martini. 

“We turned Paul’s 400-pound-what-am- 

I-going-to-do-with-it into a real celebration. 

Our guests were tickled.” Miller said. 

Green tomato martini 

UNION 

Farm Fresh Orders Online 

Meanwhile, in the southern part of the state, technology is helping farmers in rural 

Monroe County reach new customers in the state’s capital, about three hours away. 

The non-profit Monroe Farm Market is operated out of Union as both a physical 

and virtual farmers market for fresh, local foods. On www.monroefarmmarket.org, 

member farmers log into the system to list how many pounds of tomatoes, cheese, 

baked goods, eggs, grass-fed beef, cucumbers or microgreens they have available that 

week. Customers pay a small annual fee to shop online. Then, once a week, market 

manager Keveney Bair and her team work with the farmers to fulfill the orders and 

deliver them to a pick-up location in Charleston. In doing so, the association connects 

20 farms to more than 100 individuals and restaurants, including the Bluegrass 

Kitchen, Lola’s Pizza, Tricky Fish and Bridge Road Bistro. 

“There’s a high quality and freshness to the items. The items are harvested the day 

before. That is very different than something that has traveled across the country,” 

Bair said. The market’s customers are young families and professionals who enjoy 

cooking and food. The market gets referrals through word of mouth, friends of friends. 

Meanwhile, the profits go directly to the farmers. 

Each year, the market hosts several producer meetings where they talk about the 

marketplace. Bair said the member farms collaborate and make sure they have enough 

production of the specialty items that proved popular. They work with the county 

A Bluegrass Kitchen special made with Monroe County produce: roasted local 

spaghetti squash filled with Israeli couscous, stewed tomatoes, and red pepper coulis 

with local micro greens. 

Monroe Farm Market Manager 

Keveney Bair and Phillip Schrock 

deliver fresh produce to 

Charleston restaurants each week. 

extension agent and share information 

about extending the season by using high 

tunnels, unheated greenhouses made of 

PVC pipe arches and plastic sheeting. 

“Wild and wonderful is very true 

about Monroe Country,” Bair said. “I like 

helping to provide a source of income 

for the family farms and we think it’s 

important that restaurants start using 

more local foods. A lot more care goes 

into the food grown on a small farm – 

it’s a good direction for everyone and 

I enjoy being part of that.”

ONCEVERTE 

Greening Main Street: Ronceverte’s Eco District 

Historic and high tech are not often 

mentioned in the same breath – that is, 

unless you’re visiting Ronceverte’s Eco- 

District. Here, solar photovoltaic (PV) 

panels and geothermal projects are part 

of an award-winning business strategy 

for community revitalization. 

“Sally, Sharon and I own three of 

the most visible buildings in town. 

They’re the first building you see as you 

enter or leave the town,” Main Street Program Manager Doug Hylton said, referring 

to Sally Baker of the Main Street Economic Restructuring Committee and Sharon 

Schaefer of the Promotion Committee. Then, Hylton ruefully added, “They’re also 

the biggest eye sores in town! We have to do them right. They represent a key to 

our revitalization!” 

Hylton, Baker and Schaefer are entrepreneurs, investing in their own building 

renovations. By doing so, they’re also helping to shape a progressive direction for 

redevelopment of downtown. There is keen business logic behind the developers’ 

green plans. Making the buildings as energy efficient as possible helps them save 

money as owners, as it serves as a tool to promote Ronceverte as a destination. 

Renick 

Reclaimed Wood: Renick Millworks 

In a mill that’s tucked away in a 

rural corner of Greenbrier County, 

old barns are turned into gleaming 

hardwood flooring for customers 

throughout the country. 

“We’re all about reclaimed wood. It’s 

good for the environment and it looks 

good,” said Jay Petre, the president of 

Renick Millworks. Petre’s company has 

carved its niche producing sustainable 

products from recycled and reclaimed 

wood. Although Renick Millworks 

also makes custom timber materials, 

its reclaimed wood flooring gives the 

company a nation-wide presence to 

choosy, eco-minded customers. 

“I like wood – and I like old wood from 

a ‘uniqueness’ factor,” he said. “I hate 

to see old structural buildings falling 

down and rotting into the ground. I 

think, ‘Oh, wow, that could be made 

into something nice.’ 

“The reclaimed wood has a lot of 

history to it. We can track where every 

floorboard came from – whether it 

was an old barn in West Virginia or an 

old schoolhouse in Tennessee. It all 

has its own story.” 

Ronceverte’s Main Street is evolving into 

an eco district. 

Photo by David Fatalleh 

Ronceverte’s eco efforts already are being noticed. This 

May, Hylton, Baker and Schaefer won the 2010 Governor’s 

Main Street and On Trac Community Award for Innovation, 

along with a $15,000 award to advance their eco-district plans. 

“As we retrofit the buildings, we’re trying to mesh both 

historic preservation and energy efficiency requirements. 

We want our buildings to have that 1880s character, but the 

new construction must serve the modern technology and 

comfort needs of the tenants and businesses we want to bring 

to town,” Hylton said. 

“Solar panels aren’t an issue with historic renovation, 

as long as they can’t be seen from the street,” Baker 

added. “We have to devise a way to install the panels so 

they can’t be seen. We need to be open to more types of 

design. It may require more thought, more networking 

and more paperwork – but energy efficiency and historic 

renovation do go together pretty well.” 

The green/historic approach helped the three 

developers qualify for a variety of grants and financing 

including historic preservation tax credits and two 

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s energy grants. 

Accessing these funds is helping Baker, Schaefer and 

Hylton realize their entrepreneurial dreams. 

Baker and Schaefer plan to operate WV ReUsers in 

Ronceverte, which will re-use building supplies to keep 

them out of the landfill. In the meantime, a florist has 

moved into their first newly-renovated space. 

Hylton plans to open a 1950s-style soda fountain 

and deli in his new green building: The Ronceverte 

Ice Creamery and Deli. Hylton wants to make his own 

ice cream, possibly using the solar panels to pasteurize 

the raw milk. 

“Green is good for business,” Baker said. 

“The greener we can make our properties and the 

town, the more attractive they will be for business.” 

Charleston 

Paden City 

Recycled Glass: Marble King 

Marble King Incorporated manufactures 

a million glass marbles each day. 

“About 95 percent of the marbles are 

being made with recycled glass. We’re 

saving at least four-and-a-half tons of glass 

each day from the landfill, including waste glass from 

Fenton Art Glass and Blenko Glass,” explained Marble 

King’s President and CEO Beri Fox. The marbles are 

used for children’s games, industrial applications, and 

decorative items such as stained glass lamps, art and 

jewelry. They are exported to 17 countries, worldwide. 

The Power of Chuck 

The West Virginia Power has teamed up with Charleston Area 

Medical Center to promote healthy eating to area kids using the 

team’s yellow mascot, Chuck. 

In school visits and other activities, Chuck’s Healthy Challenge 

to kids boils down to 5-2-1-0: five fruits and vegetables, two 

hours or less of screen time, one hour of vigorous activity and no 

sugared beverages each day. A website, www.wvpowerCHUCK. 

com, hosts health tips, videos, games and activities for kids. 

This season, the Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates added 

Chuck’s Natural Grill to their themed concession stands at the 

ballpark. Power fans, young and old, can enjoy healthy options 

such as organic buffalo burgers, grass-fed beef and garden 

burgers while watching the action. 

38 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A D I S C O V E R W E S T V I R G I N I A 39

HEDGESVILLE 

Close Encounters with Nature 

Fred, a fiber-producing Pygora goat 


at The Cider Mill House 

You’d be surprised how often Katherine Cimaglio’s guests ask her to explain the chicken 

and the egg. “People don’t know where their food comes from anymore!” she laughs. 

Fortunately, they’ve come to the right place: The Cider Mill House in Hedgesville. 

Here, guests can be as hands on as they want to be with the farm, its animals or the 

outdoors, while enjoying a comfortable stay at the bed and breakfast. 

Located about two hours outside of Washington, DC, halfway between Martinsburg 

and Berkeley Springs, the 200-year-old stone house was Cimaglio’s childhood home. 

She inherited it and converted it in a B&B with her husband, Ed, four years ago. 

“As a kid growing up here, it was just the biggest playground in the world. I love to 

watch new people discover it, now,” she said. 

“We’re very animal oriented. Our Guinea hens and chickens are handled a lot 

and they’re friendly. They’re always looking for hand outs. Our goats are our goodwill 

ambassadors; in fact, past guests ask for them by name!” 

Natural and local history lessons abound for the inn’s guests, mostly city or 

suburban people who come from DC, Baltimore, New Jersey and New York. In 

Ed and Katherine Cimaglio on 

the steps of the 200-year-old 

stone house that belonged to 

Katherine’s family. 

addition to the farm animals, the Cimaglios have created three miles of hiking trails 

through the woods and they’re working with the West Virginia Division of Forestry 

on land management projects, including reducing non-native, invasive plant species. 

Nearby is the area where the stones for the house were quarried 200 years ago. There’s 

also a flint outcropping where the Indians once stopped and made arrowheads. 

“Our guests walk in the woods and see wild turkey and deer. They bring back interesting 

rocks or arrowheads. There are natural springs on the property and folks are interested to 

learn how water bubbles up out of the ground. People don’t get outside much anymore. 

Here, they like the opportunity to interact with nature in a comfortable and safe way. 

“People are overwhelmed by the open space. They come down to breakfast and 

comment on how quiet it is. Or they’re amazed by the number of stars or how dark it is,” 

she adds. “I try to get them to turn off all the electronics and just decompress. If people 

can go home feeling better 

about themselves and the Read extended articles online. 

world and their lives – 

Tell us how you enjoy 

then, we’ve done it!” being green in 

West Virginia: 

wvcommerce.org/green 

Do West Virginia’s 

green qualities attract 

new business? 

Sure! Ask Jonathan Moore, 

the founder of Rowdy Orbit in 

Martinsburg. He moved from 

Baltimore, Md., to pursue his own 

online entertainment business. 

He values the more balanced life 

he and his family have found. 

“Being in West Virginia helps a 

start-up from a cost perspective. 

But there are psychological 

advantages, too. We have 

rocking chairs on our porch. 

When I have friends who come 

to visit – they they’ll sit on the 

porch. It’s peaceful and quiet, 

with a little wind blowing. Ten 

minutes later, they’re asleep. I 

love to let them nap on my porch 

– because, you just can’t do that 

in Baltimore!” 

Moore said he’s gotten his whole 

family to eat healthier by buying 

local foods. He loves shopping at 

Orr’s Farm Market. 

“When I go back to Baltimore, I 

take farmers market vegetables 

and fruits to them. I never knew 

an apple could taste like this in 

my life before I came here. When 

the peaches come out, I’m there. 

Whatever is in season I’m the first 

one in line! 

“The air is cleaner, the food is 

fresher, stars are brighter and the 

people wave to you.” 

Kim Harbour dreamed of a hobby farm 

while living in NYC and LA. Next month 

she hopes to collect the first eggs 

from her backyard flock in Hurricane. 

Contact: kim.l.harbour@wv.gov

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