How I didn’t know this place existed before writing this is beyond me. It is however, now on my to-do list. Opening in 1885, yes I typed that correctly, the West Virginia State Museum showcases it’s selection on the first floor of the state’s capitol complex.

The West Virginia State Museum begins in a prehistoric forest of 300 million B.C. and winds along a changing path with sights and sounds of the land, people and culture. With more than 6,000 artifacts and themes that focus on natural and human history, arts and music and lifestyles, the museum offers a look at West Virginia yesterday and today.

The museum is open without charge to all visitors and guests can choose a guided tour or walk at their own pace through the museum’s 26 rooms of exhibits.