Main Street Historic District | Park City

The Morgantown History Museum is a repository of local historical artifacts and documents situated in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Visual Characteristics

The museum is housed within a two-story brick building constructed in the early 20th century. The facade features arched windows on the ground floor and rectangular windows on the second story, all framed with lighter-colored stone. The roof is pitched and covered with dark asphalt shingles. The interior exhibits are displayed in climate-controlled rooms with neutral wall colors and track lighting.

Location & Access Logistics

The Morgantown History Museum is located at 247 High Street, Morgantown, WV 26505, approximately 0.2km south of the downtown Morgantown core. Parking is available in the nearby Market Place Parking Garage, located at 120 Walnut Street, which is a 3-minute walk east of the museum. The nearest public transport stop is the High Street & Walnut Street bus stop, serviced by the PRT Route 15 and Route 17 buses.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The building housing the museum was originally constructed in 1912 as the First National Bank of Morgantown. It was designed by architect Edward B. Whitney. The bank operated in this location until the 1970s before the building was repurposed. The museum itself was established in 1975 to preserve and exhibit the history of Morgantown and Monongalia County.

Key Highlights & Activities

Exhibits include displays on the early settlement of the region, the coal mining industry, the founding of West Virginia University, and the development of local businesses. Visitors can view historical photographs, documents, and artifacts from various periods. The museum offers self-guided tours of its permanent collections.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available on the ground floor. Limited seating is provided within exhibit areas. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally consistent within the building. No food vendors are located on-site; however, numerous dining establishments are present along High Street within a 5-minute walking radius.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is best visited during weekday mornings for less crowded viewing conditions. The lighting within the exhibit halls is artificial and consistent year-round. No specific tide or weather conditions affect access.

Facts & Legends

A verified historical oddity is the presence of a vault door from the original bank still visible in the museum's basement, though it is not accessible to the public. Local lore suggests that during the bank's operation, a secret tunnel was rumored to exist connecting to the nearby river, though no evidence has ever been found.

Nearby Landmarks

• West Virginia University Downtown Campus (0.3km North)
• Monongalia County Courthouse (0.1km North)
• Art Museum of WVU (0.8km West)
• Morgantown Public Library (0.4km Northwest)
• Krebs Hall (0.6km West)