Explore the history at your back door. Preston County History Day will be celebrated on Sunday, July 21 at numerous historical sites around the county. The variety of historic interests provides an educational family outing in scenic surroundings.
In addition to Arthurdale Heritage’s five-building museum (including a restored homestead) representing the New Deal’s first subsistence homestead project (open 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays, noon – 4:00 p.m. on Sundays all summer), other sites open for tours on Preston County History Day are located in Kingwood, Rowlesburg, Terra Alta and Tunnelton. Find these sites on a Preston County map (.pdf).
The times and locations for the other interesting sites are:
- James McGrew House, 1831 Kingwood home built by the prominent businessman involved in the formation of West Virginia, (1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.) on Rt. 7
- Szilagyi Center in Rowlesburg featuring the World War II Museum, Preston County Sports Museum, and B&O bridges exhibit, café and shops, (11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) on Rt. 72
- Terra Alta History House, with 3 floors of Preston County history exhibits, photos and genealogy records, 109 East Washington Street (1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
- Tunnelton Train Depot Museum, the 1913 brick train station once operated by the B&O Railroad, (1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.) on Boswell Street
- Westbrook’s Esso, Kingwood, showing the full-service gas station of yesteryear and antique truck on display (1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.) at 101 West High Street (corner of Price and W. High Streets).
Admission is charged at some sites.
Future Preston County History Days will be observed on August 21, 2011 and September 18, 2011.
