West Virginia State Museum — Attraction in Charleston

Awesome, well laid out museum that starts 325 million years ago and moves through time. Many different rooms with history and educational displays. Old muskets, guns, Indian artifacts, and short intro's to some of West Virginia's historic figures. We got through about 1/3 of this fine museum and plan on returning next week. Parking is in an adjoining lot with meters (30 mins for each 25 cents. Bring quarters or use your credit card. There is a most wonderful and moving war memorial there in the parklike setting along side the large museum building. It's said that West Virginians paid a large toll in WW II to help preserve what freedoms we have left. True. You'll see all the decendants names enshrined there along with some statues, all in beautiful marble, and there's tranquility pools all around this most moving memorial. It makes one see the sacrifices those that paid the ultimate price in order to help preserve our freedoms. One cannot help but feel the futility of war and the anguish all these deaths caused. I silently thanked them as felt profound sadness. What a tribute and memorial! One must stop by even if you don't go into the museum. There is no fee or admission cost for this wonderful museum. Plan on lunch or dinner at one of the many local food establishments in...

This is an absolute must-see in the capitol This is located in Charleston, West Virginia. It is in the lower level of the Museum building across the sidewalk from the State capitol on the West Virginia State Capitol Complex. Parking for this can be found either on a nearby street or in the metered parking to the northeast that is part of the complex. The museum is a marble building with a large open entryway/atrium that is beautiful. There are escalators to either side of the information desk in the center. The left-hand one will take you downstairs. The museum takes up most of the bottom floor. You can walk through the wonderfully descriptive parts of the museum that takes you through the various parts of the state history. It starts with the prehistoric era to describe how the area came to be and the other portions describe various historical eras and then focus on the most recent centuries. I really liked the coal mine recreation. As you leave, the other escalator takes you back up to the main floor. Please be sure to check out the gift shop on the way out. This site is a must-see for anyone...

This has to be one of the best museums that you will ever visit if you want to understand American History of the people. The museum is free to enter (not as other reviewers imply it is expensive.) You travel downstairs on an escalator and start from before man was on the planet. Slowly you walk through a labyrinth of corridors each one leading to the next and a date stamp on the floor to give you an idea of the period you are in. This must have taken a few years to set up and one of the attendants told us that if you were to read all the plaques, it will take you 30 hours, from start to finish. This is excellent and highly educational and if you visit Charleston an experience you should not miss. you have to give the museum 10 stars out of 5 and I would have gladly paid 20 dollars unfortunately I was unable to pay a cent or leave any money for a local charity, that was a shame. I must add I was a visitor from the UK and will always remember this...