Journey Through West Virginia: A Closer Look At the Geographic & Tourist Regions of the Mountain State

Eastern Panhandle The Eastern Panhandle tourist region is made up of 3 counties: Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan. One of the most noted locations within this tourist region is Harper’s Ferry in Jefferson county. Harper’s Ferry is known for multiple reasons in West Virginia, it is the state’s lowest point and John Brown’s famous raid occurred here. Click here to learn more about the founder of Harper’s Ferry, Robert Harper. After reviewing the about information, please type the names of the two rivers that merge at Harper’s Ferry on your Word document.

Berkeley Castle **Use the link to explore the history of Berkeley Castle. This castle is officially part of the National and West Virginia registers of historic places. After reading about the castle’s history, please type the name of the woman for whom the castle was built along with the year of its completion on your Word document. Salem Apple Butter Festival **Use the link to learn about the apple butter festival in Salem, WV along with some of the featured activities. Choose one activity that you might like to do and explain why on your Word document. Belle Boyd ***Use the link to learn more about Belle Boyd, a famous Confederate spy. On you Word document, type the names of the first two Confederate Generals that Boyd worked for at the age of 17.

Potomac Highlands The Potomac Highlands tourist region is made up of 8 counties: Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph, and Tucker. One of the most noted features within this tourist region are its amazing ski slopes. The slopes located in the Potomac Highlands are considered to be some of the best skiing on the east coast. Learn more about one of the resorts in the Potomac Highlands, Canaan Valley, and then, on your Word document, calculate how much it would cost to get individual ski lessons for you and your group members.

Cass Scenic Railroad **Cass is a historic town in the Potomac Highlands. Use the above link to learn about the history of Cass and the railroad. On you Word document, please list the name and elevation on the highest town in the eastern United states. Seneca Rocks/Spruce Knob **There are 2 links above. Use the Seneca Rocks link to learn about rates and the Spruce Knob link to learn more about the state’s highest point. After reading, on your Word document, type the cost for you and your group members to take a privately guided tour if you sign up together. Also type the total number of acres that the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks NRA covers. Potomac Eagle ***Learn about the history of the famous Potomac Eagle from the above website. After reading the information, please write a brief description of the Trough on your Word document along with what you are likely to see when the train goes through there.

Mountain Lakes The Mountain Lakes tourist region is made up of 7 counties: Braxton, Clay, Gilmer, Lewis, Nicholas, Upshur, and Webster. The tourist region gets its name due to the fact that it is home to 5 of West Virginia’s major lakes. Use this link to learn more about this tourist region and then type the names of the 5 major lakes that can be found there on your Word document.

West Virginia Strawberry Festival **Use the link to learn about the history and events of the West Virginia Strawberry Festival. On your Word document, please type the average number of seeds found on the outside of a strawberry. Wildlife Management Areas **Use the above link to learn about the wildlife management areas and state wildlife center in West Virginia. After reading, please type the total number of acres designated for wildlife management by the state’s DNR on you Word document. Jackson’s Mill ***Learn about the history of Jackson’s Mill. There have been several generations of Jacksons that were significant to both West Virginia and United States history. After reading, please type the full name of the Confederate general we commonly refer to as “Stonewall” Jackson on your Word document.

Mountaineer Country The Mountaineer Country tourist region is made up of 7 counties: Barbour, Doddridge, Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, and Taylor. This region is home to the WVU Mountaineers. Review this site for first-time-freshman to WVU and, on your Word document, type the amount of the nonrefundable application fee for an out-of-state applicant.

Philippi Covered Bridge **Use the link to learn about the history and events of the first land battle of the Civil War. On your Word document, please type the number of casualties, the outcome, and the names of the commanders involved in this important battle. Prickett’s Fort **Use the above link to learn about Prickett’s Fort. After reading about the history of the fort, take a moment to type out how many centuries the Prickett family actually lived on the homestead on your Word document. International Mother’s Day Shrine ***Learn about the history of Mother’s Day. Grafton, West Virginia is the home of the very first Mother’s Day celebration, which is celebrated by the shrine. On your Word document, please record the date that the very first Mother’s Day celebration took place.

Northern Panhandle The Northern Panhandle tourist region is made up of 6 counties: Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Tyler, and Wetzel. This region is home to the first capitol of the state of West Virginia. Review this information, and then type out what the original name of the building in the background photo as well as the name that the same building goes by today.

The Palace of Gold **Use the above link to learn about the Palace of Gold. This magnificent structure is located off of one of the many back roads of West Virginia and looks completely out of place. On your Word document please record the name of the group of people responsible for building this stunning palace. Grave Creek Mound **Use the link to learn about the Grave Creek Mound and the Adena people. After you’ve finished reading, please type 3 facts that you learned about the Adena people on your Word document. Homer Laughlin China Company ***Learn about Homer Laughlin and his now famous china company. The company is most well known nowadays for Fiestaware Dinnerware. The company that we know today is located in Newell, West Virginia. On your Word document, please record the date on which the company finally made is move to Newell.

Mid-Ohio Valley The Mid-Ohio Valley tourist region is made up of 7 counties: Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Wirt, and Wood. The region is home to both Holl’s Chocolates & Fenton Glass. Review this site about Fenton Glass and then explain why the company is so well-known.

Burning Springs Park **Learn about the history of Burning Springs Park through the above site. This was only 1 of 2 oil field sin the world prior to the Civil War. What is the name of the oldest producing oil well in the world? Record your answer on your Word document. Blennerhassett Island **Use the above link to learn more about the history of Blennerhassett Island. As you will read, the namesake of this island became a very controversial figure. On your Word document, please record the name of the President that formally accused Mr. Blennerhassett of treason as well as the name of his co-conspirator. The Oil & Gas Museum ***Use the above link to learn a bit about the Oil and Gas museum in Parkersburg. You will need to scroll until you find West Virginia on the list. According to a quote found on the site, who was the “first petroleum industry speculator” in our country? Record your answer on your Word document.

The Metro Valley tourist region is made up of 4 counties: Cabell, Kanawha, Mason, and Putnam. The region is home to the current state capital and the famed state capitol complex. According to this site, how old was West Virginia, as a state, when the building was dedicated? Record your answer on your Word document. Metro Valley

West Virginia Pumpkin Festival **Use the above website to learn about the history of the West Virginia Pumpkin Festival. On your Word document, please record the number of years this festival has been happening in Milton, West Virginia. Mothman **Use the above link to learn about the history and sightings of the Mothman. According to the information on the site, when was the first official siting of the Mothman? Record your answer on your Word document. Marshall University ***Learn about the plane crash that devastated Marshall University through the above website. On you Word document, please write down the special permission granted to Marshall University’s football team the year after the crash.

Hatfield-McCoy Mountains The Hatfield-McCoy Mountains tourist region is made up of 5 counties: Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, and Wayne. The region is named to commemorate 2 famously feuding families. According to this website, how much would it cost for you and your group members to obtain the necessary trail permits before planning a ride?

Matewan **Learn about the Matewan Massacre from the above website. Based on your reading, please record the name of the main target of the massacre on your Word document and explain what he did to deserve to be targeted. Hatfield-McCoy Feud **Use the above link to learn about the history of the Hatfield-McCoy feud. On your Word document, please explain why the McCoy family hated the Hatfield family (not how the feud started). Big Ugly Wildlife Management Area ***Use the above link to learn about Big Ugly Wildlife Management Area. According to the information on this site, what are the principle game that are harvested in the area? Record your answer on your Word document.

New River/Greenbrier Valley The New River/Greenbrier tourist region is made up of 8 counties: Fayette, Greenbrier, McDowell, Raleigh, Mercer, Monroe, Summers and Wyoming. One of the regions most well-known attractions in the New River Gorge Bridge. According to this website about Bridge Day, how tall is the New River Gorge Bridge?

Homer Hickam **Use the above link to learn about Homer Hickam and his writings. Rocket Boys: A Memoir was publish in 1998, while the movie October Sky, about the same topic, was released in 1999. What is the relationship between the titles of the book and the movie about Homer Hickam’s life and dreams? Record your answer on you Word document. The Greenbrier Resort & Hotel **Enjoy learning more about the famed Greenbrier Resort & Hotel through the above website. According to the information you read, how many sitting presidents stayed at the Greenbrier prior to Civil War? Record your answer on your Word document. Organ Cave ***Learn more about the history of Organ Cave using the above link. This cave system has been around for an extremely long time and has proved very useful for inhabitants who called the area home. According to the website, “archaeological evidence demonstrates that Native Americans have been visiting Organ Cave” since what year? Record your answer on your Word document.