Nestled between winding interstate highways and rural, forested mountains is Beckley, West Virginia, and the surrounding area of Raleigh County. The tight-knit community welcomes visitors to experience what makes this part of Appalachia unique—a region that puts outdoor recreation, coal history, and artisanal traditions at its forefront.
Outside of city limits, not far off I-64, is the Grandview region of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. This part of the park is known for its main scenic overlook, just a short stroll from the parking lot. A stone pathway leads to a fenced outcrop where onlookers can see open sky, surrounding mountains, and the New River bending north. The New River is one of the oldest rivers in the world, dating back 260 to 375 million years. Fossils that show the area’s geologic timeline line the escarpment, which you can hike alongside on the nearby Castle Rock Trail.
While there is some evidence of coal hidden amongst the layers of rock by Grandview, the substance that West Virginia is known for takes center stage at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine.
In the heart of Beckley is an old company store with an elevator shaft designed to look like an old lantern. Inside is a gift shop and a museum that displays early mining artifacts and delves into life in coal company towns.
Lining the walls of the museum are displays of script, a form of currency coal companies paid their workers that was only usable in company-owned establishments. Glass cases also show off old baseball uniforms, a popular pastime in the mining communities, and tools used to detect harmful gases in the mines. Though seeing these objects feels as if each one could tell a thousand stories, a deeper connection to this corner of American history awaits on a tour of the decommissioned mine.
Behind the converted store is a line of rail and a small building sheltering a couple of mine carts. Sit down on the cushioned seat and ride into the Phillips-Sprague Mine, which operated from the late 1800s to 1953. There in the cool, dark underground, you’ll see the tools coal miners used, how they stayed safe when using dynamite, and how they ensured their pay. The guide will not just share a script but divulge personal stories from their own work experiences.
Exiting the mine, you’ll venture into a model company town—featuring a church, a three-room home, a bachelor hut, the supervisor’s home, and a schoolhouse. Many of these buildings have on-site interpreters to help visitors gain a deeper understanding of company-town life in West Virginia.
Not far from the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, where more Appalachian heritage is on display, is Tamarack Marketplace. The exterior sets a tone for an artistic experience. The building is topped by a spiked, red roof, with an entrance flanked by a sculpture garden and an Almost Heaven swing.
Inside, handmade quilts hang from the walls, and displays of artisan crafts fill the floorspace. Pottery, woodworks, paintings, textiles, and more are all made by West Virginia artisans and are available for purchase. A highlight of the experience is the live glass-blowing demonstration area. Watch as expert glass-blower John DesMeules makes ornate ornaments, bowls, and paperweights.
Beckley and the Raleigh County area, West Virginia, are shaped by the land. While the people here recreate around a river that is millions of years old, they also recognize the history and community that was built on mining coal. It’s a place where artisanal traditions are valued, and the past lives on in the stories shared from one person to another.