KINGWOOD — Are you a history fan? Do you like visiting historical sites and museums?
If so, you might want to check out Preston County History Day this Sunday or the third Sunday of the month through September.
Deb Miller, Preston County History Day volunteer, said there are eight historical sites with free tours available to visit this year.
Old Hemlock, near Brandonville, will be open Sept. 15 only, with tours at 1 and 3 p.m. The 1782 stone/log home of renowned outdoors author George Bird Evans and his wife Kay features exhibits of Evans’ work as an illustrator and author on upland bird shooting. The couple also wrote mystery novels and bred the old Hemlock line of English steers that are still available today.
Arthurdale Heritage represents the New Deal administration’s effort to counteract the effects of the Great Depression by providing 165 homesteads. The homesteads consisted of two-five acres of land each, a home with electricity, indoor plumbing and a refrigerator plus other amenities such as schools, health care and community support for the families.
This location will be open for tours 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Aurora Area Historical Society Museum will be open from 1-4 p.m. The museum illustrates a time when Aurora and the surrounding area attracted affluent summer visitors from the big cities.
Taking the mountain air was a health remedy for families and a swimming pool, a casino, along with other recreational choices filled the bill. The well-stocked general store display may evoke memories of the past.
The James McGrew House in Kingwood is a tribute to the life and efforts of James and Persis McGrew. The McGrews were prominent citizens whose 1840s brick home is now a community center with multiple local life exhibits. McGrew was one of the representatives who voted to form the nation’s 35th state, West Virginia. The McGrew House will be open from 1-3 p.m.
The Head, Heart, Hands & Health Museum in Reedsville has displays, information and artifacts of 4-H members and programs over the years. The national program was structured to give young people the opportunity to advance their skills and talents yearly through a variety of projects and attendance at summer camps. The museum will be open from 2-4 p.m.
The Szilagyi Center in Rowlesburg features the best World War II museum in the region. It also includes the stories of county residents who answered the call to duty. There is also a museum collection featuring the county’s high school athletic teams from the 1930s through the 80s. The collection shows the achievements of many champions. For those interested in trains, there is railroad bridge engineering and construction information on display. The Szilagyi Center will be open from 1-4 p.m.
The History House Museum in Terra Alta also will be open from 1-4 p.m. The museum has numerous artifacts from earlier times in the county on display. The museum also has genealogical records for research purposes. There is a top hat and a stereopticon mixed in with many photographs and unique items from times long ago. A stereopticon is a slide projector or relatively powerful “magic lantern,” which has two lenses, usually one above the other, and has mainly been used to project photographic images.
The 111-year-old Tunnelton Train Depot’s waiting room was one component of the daily transportation system using railroads before automobiles were in common use. Going anywhere often involved an inexpensive train ticket purchased at the window. Many of the depot’s exhibits show how it all worked. There is also a model train display for visitors of all ages to enjoy. The Depot will be open from 1-3 p.m.
Once you have visited these sites consider volunteering. Miller said preserving a historical site doesn’t mean it’s preserved forever. It takes hard work and volunteers to keep these sites open.
The dates for tours are Sunday, Aug. 18 and Sept. 15.
