NPS photo Join us for the 12th Annual Hidden History Weekend: September 25-27, 2020Celebrate the wonders of Appalachian heritage, the sites and stories of southern West Virginia's history! Enjoy exploring heritage sites, discover history highlights, and even challenge yourself to discover more heritage during this event. There will be a few in-person programs with a ranger. Safety measures will be practiced during these in-person activities due to COVID-19 with limits on participant numbers, face masks will be required, and safe social distancing will be practiced. Enjoy this discovery of history in plain sight! Friday, September 25, 2020Cemetery Stories: Red Ash Island Hike5:00 to 7:30 pm.3.5 miles meet at New River Gorge National River’s Southside Trailhead next to the Brooklyn primitive campground one mile upstream of the Cunard River Access, Cunard. See signs of the challenges faced by past people of the gorge, including pandemics and mine disasters of the early 1900s. Follow an old railroad line then cross moderate terrain to Red Ash Island to discover this mysterious past. Reservations requested: call 304-465-2632.
Saturday, September 26, 2020Babcock’s Glade Creek Grist Mill Informal10:00 am to 12:00 pm AND 1:00 – 6:00 pm.Stop by Babcock State Park’s Glade Creek Grist Mill, Clifftop. Come and go as you please to see the Glade Creek Grist Mill inside and out. The miller will be on-hand for informal discussions about the history of this structure and how the mill works. Trump-Lilly Farm Tour11:00 am to 1:00 pm0.5 miles meet at New River Gorge National River’s Trump-Lilly Farm Site near Hinton (take River Road off Hinton Bypass on the south end of Hinton, cross Madams Creek then turn left onto small, gravel Freezeland Mountain Rd./WV Route 26/3, travel 2.5-miles to farm site on right). Discover what life was like on a southern Appalachian subsistence farm during the early 1900s. Historic home and farm outbuildings help paint a picture of the past. Reservations requested: call 304-465-2632. Hawks Nest and the CCC1:00 to 2:30 pm.1 mile meet at the field next to the Trading Post and picnic shelter at Hawks Nest State Park, Ansted. Explore how today’s park renovations are preserving this historic Civilian Conservation Corps project, the overlook of the New River Gorge, museum, and more. Frontier Life on a Pioneer Farm4:00 to 6:00 pm.0.5 miles meet at Twin Fall Resort State Park’s pioneer farm parking lot, Mullens. Discover the history of this pioneer farm and site, from its earliest settlers to this still-working farm today. Haunted History Hike (This program is now full)7:00 to 9:00 pm.2 miles meet at New River Gorge National River’s Rend Trail parking area on Route 25 near Thurmond. Hear legends and stories from the area and throughout Appalachia into the dark of night. Program not recommended for children under nine years old. Bring a flashlight. Reservations requested: call 304-465-2632.
Sunday, September 27, 2020Babcock’s Glade Creek Grist Mill Informal10:00 am to 12:00 pm AND 1:00 – 6:00 pm.Stop by Babcock State Park’s Glade Creek Grist Mill, Clifftop. Come and go as you please to see the Glade Creek Grist Mill inside and out. The miller will be on-hand for informal discussions about the history of this structure and how the mill works. Country Roads Walk3:00 to 4:30 pm.1.5 miles meet at Pipestem Resort State Park’s Park Headquarters, Pipestem. Explore the area’s pre-park history on this walk to old farm sites, foundations and more painting a picture of the past. Nuttallburg Mine Headhouse Hike5:00 to 7:30 pm.2 miles Meet at New River Gorge National River’s Short Creek parking area on Beauty Mountain Road, Lansing. See the area’s most intact 1920s-era coal mine headhouse and conveyor on this hike to the historic Nuttallburg mine. Reservations requested: call 304-465-2632.
Tour History on Your OwnDiscover regional history at all event sites on your own. Find out about museums, trails, and more at the web sites listed above. Several sites have self-guided heritage tours available. Check out the links below for details about these auto and walking tours. Auto Tours / Scenic Drives
Walking Tours
New Heritage VideosMatewan Unscripted: A Guided Tour in Honor of the Battle of Matewan Centennial https://www.wvminewars.com/ Hidden History Highlights video series Several short videos featuring specific stories from local national and state parks will premier throughout this event on social media. https://www.facebook.com/newrivergorgenps Get Active With HIdden History ChallengeTake this challenge to discover history on your own. Explore one of the hidden historical challenge locations and submit a photo of that place to the event page. A panel of judges will review the photos and choose a winner. Winners will receive an Active Southern West Virginia prize pack. Please use the #GetActiveHiddenHistory and #ActiveSWV when submitting your photos. See the list of challenge locations on the Get Active with Hidden History event page at: www.facebook.com/ActiveSWV |
Last updated: September 25, 2020