The Morgantown History Museum, at 175 Kirk Street in downtown Morgantown, is the city’s first city-sponsored museum. It tells the social, cultural and commercial story of the greater Morgantown area, and admission is always free. History buffs, teachers and longtime residents come here to see how a river town became West Virginia’s university city.
The permanent galleries are compact and local. A Don Knotts exhibit honors the Morgantown-born actor famous as Barney Fife. Other exhibits include a vintage printing shop, local glassware and pottery from the region’s industrial past, and displays on Monongalia County’s role in West Virginia statehood. Rotating temporary exhibitions keep repeat visits worthwhile. The museum’s reach now extends beyond downtown. In 2025 it acquired the Easton Roller Mill, a three-and-a-half-story mill built between 1864 and 1867 on West Run in Easton.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Hours: Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. (source). The museum is closed Monday and Tuesday.
When to go: Weekday afternoons are usually the quietest. WVU home football weekends crowd downtown, so plan around those dates.
Groups: Schools and organizations can book free group tours or presentations by calling 304-319-1800 or emailing [email protected].
Getting there and nearby: Pair your visit with a walk along High Street’s shops and restaurants. The riverfront Caperton Trail is also a short walk away. If you arrive from campus, WVU’s PRT stops at its downtown Walnut Street station.
