This classic Romanesque-style courthouse was built in 1891 and is mostly a two-story building with…read morea five-story clock tower. The clock tower is pretty amazing with a pyramidal roof, four doomed buttresses, stone molds over the four clocks and tower windows, arcade belfry, and quatrefoil design. It is connected to the two-story jailhouse that was built in an Italianate style in 1881. The courthouse is actually the fourth one built on the site. Up until 1881, the courtyard was the site of the public whipping post, stocks and pillories. Today the courtyard is used for public meetings, street fairs, political rallies, and markets. I don't know about you, but I prefer the new functions here. There is metered street parking with many options for restaurants and bars and retail shopping nearby. [Review 20401 overall - 120 in West Virginia - 1380 of 2023.]

On my way from Morgantown back home, I routed myself a long Route 19. At Laurel Point, I routed…read moremyself out Sugar Grove Rd to view the Historical Dents Run Covered Bridge. Free to visit!! The Dents Run Historical Covered Bridge was built in 1889. It's one of the few remaining Covered Bridges in WV. Measures 12 Feet by 10 Feet wide and 40 Feet long. It's not in operation, but just pasted the bridge is a nice wide spot to park about 3 cars. There is no picnic area but it's very quiet here. A very lovely place to visit.

George Washington is credited with dreaming of the building of a road that would connect the east…read morecoast with the Midwest. The National Road was the first government funded road in the U.S, connecting Baltimore, Maryland with St. Louis, Missouri. I've travelled most of the National Road over the years, visiting historical sites. This week, I travelled through Western Maryland and Southwest Pennsylvania. A number of inns and taverns along the route provided shelter and food for early settlers traveling by stage coach. The Mount Washington Tavern was one of the upscale taverns and is today a museum managed by the National Park Service. The tavern was built in the late 1820's by Nathaniel Ewing on land once owned by George Washington. The museum has been restored with furnishing similar to what travelers would have encountered in the mid-1800's. The museum is a self guided tour with an audio tour available using a mobile phone. I walked through the tavern and saw the dining room, tavern, parlor and several of the guests quarters. I was able to imagine being back in time 200 years. If only these walls could talk, the stories they would tell. The parking lot is nice with steps or paved ramp leading to the tavern. On the grounds of the tavern is a stable that holds a Conestoga Wagon and memorial to early travelers. Several historical markers describe the National Road and tavern. Restroom and other amenities can be found at the Fort Necessity Visitor Center, a short walk or drive down the hill. There is no charge to visit the museum which is opened daily from 10 am - 4:00 pm. I highly recommend for history buffs.

Pleasant little trip into 1830's roadside tavern history (and more history of the National Road,…read morecomplimenting some of the history at next door's Fort Necessity visitors' center), such as what sort of people traveled, how they traveled, what they could afford to eat, and how they slept (uncomfortably and sharing space with strangers).

A warm and welcoming atmosphere as soon as you step through the door. The smell of books lays heavy…read moreabout the place, and it's a lovely smell. Quiet space in which was nice to take a moment and relax. The staff, particularly Dan, were most helpful in reserving a meeting room for me to conduct a job interview. Very much took me back 40 decades to childhood memories of a place of endless adventures and timeless stories. Libraries should be a safe space for everyone to explore the world and themselves. They should be cherished, respected and protected. Thank you Morgantown Public Library for helping achieve and succeed!

Very informative Park Ranger. Grounds and outside of home was great. I felt the inside was sparsely…read morefurnished and most of it was closed off. Albert Gallatin is not as well remembered as Thomas Jefferson or James Madison but did serve for 13 years as our Secretary of the Treasury. He did feel his main goal was to work on the National Debt. We could use some of his foresight today!

This is a quiet and relaxing National Parks Service property. We only saw a few other people the…read moreentire time we were there, and one was the ranger. There is a really nice picnic area available near the parking lot. It has a number of picnic tables, a shelterhouse, and a clean restroom. This is a take your trash out with you park, but they do offer bags for you to put them in. From the picnic area, you can head up the hill to see the house, which can be toured, and you can also walk around the grounds, which also contains 10 miles of trails. So why is this a historic site? It was the wilderness home of Albert Gallatin, a lesser known figure from the US government in the late 1700s. The location is beautiful - there's a nice overlook behind the house that has a historic gazebo and looks out over the river. The section of trail that starts behind the house lets you get a glimpse at a number of interesting historical and natural sights: an old growth forest full of towering trees, the grave site of Gallatin's first wife, Sophia, a pond which had a number of turtles, a meadow area that was full of beautiful butterflies, and more.

Tony and I were driving South on RT 26 from Bruceton Mills to Kingwood in WV. I saw a sign about…read moreVirginia 1847 Iron Works Furnace part of the River of Promise Trail. Located on the Banks of Muddy Creek that flows into the Cheat River. The park is Free to enjoy with Free parking along the road. Across the street is abandoned road side picnic area and shelters from the 40s to the 60s. Once we went down the steps to the abandoned iron furnace works, I saw an amazing waterfall along the rocks The falls were gorgeous. I will definitely go here again. If you swim, it's not super deep but enough room to get wet and enjoy but remember No Lifeguard...

The National Park Service has done a superb job of preserving the history of several important…read morehistoric sites along the National Road in Southwest Pennsylvania. Fort Necessity was the site of one of the first skirmishes that began the war between the French and Anglos. George Washington and his men did not fare well in the battle where they were outwitted and overpowered by their opponents. The primitive fort, composed of wood posts, was destroyed by the Indigenous army after Washington's surrender. Archeologists recreated a replica of the fort at the site that visitors may explore and contemplate the history. We walked the trail back, taking our well travelled dog for a walk. The trail is an easy walk with several historical plaques along the way. The setting is picturesque with a meadow surrounded by trees. An audio tour is available using your mobile phone. The Visitors Center is upscale and filled with information about several sites along the National Road. The Park Rangers are welcoming and knowledgeable about the local history. They provided me with an informative brochure about the sites with maps. A twenty minute film depicts the historic events that took place and shaped the war and early days in the colonies. Exhibits explain the tales of the battle that took place at the fort and other life in the area. Cases with artifacts are interesting. Information is well balanced. The gift shop inside supports the park and offers books, shirts and other nice souvenirs. The site also includes the historic Mount Washington Tavern, preserved as it would have entertained guests in the mid 1800's. The self guided tour of the Tavern is free. The staff offers several special programs throughout the year such as reenactments. A schedule is available on their website. The Park is filled with amenities including a pavilion with picnic tables, an outdoor classroom, nice parking and accessible walkways. The restrooms inside the Visitors Center are immaculate. Dogs are not allowed in the Visitors Center, but are allowed leashed outside. There is no charge to enter and explore the Park (thank you, tax dollars). Fort Necessity offers a truly unique experience and glimpse into the past. Plan two hours for the visit.

We were very impressed with the National Park Service presentation on the battle at Fort Necessity…read moreand George Washington role in this important piece of history. The visitor center has a lot of good information with a 20 minute film which gave a great overview. We then join a park Ranger for a walk to the fort, he was truly passionate about his job and very Knowledgeable. At the end of the talk a period dressed employee talked about the uniform, how to load and shoot a gun which he did at the end of the talk. Walked down to the fort, which I was surprised how smaller it was. It really gave a perspective of what the soldiers experienced. This was a wonderful stop in our National Parks journey. I recommend. stopping at Fort necessity and learning about this important. chapter of American history.

I have been here a total of three times. I love this lovely park that is FREE to enjoy! There is a…read morelarge parking lot and you can walk out to the Grave site of General Braddock and enjoy the signage and flowers. Very lovely park! This park is located near the Mount Washington Tavern and located in the Laurel Highlands area. There is a lot of great sites to enjoy!! Most of them are free for you to enjoy as well. There are some wonderful Waterfalls near by. General Braddock has a huge military history! If you get a chance to research anything about him you definitely should. First time we visited this park my 23 yr old daughter was 7yrs old. They have made tons of major improvement here and I am very pleased!

This is the burial site of Major General Edward Braddock, a pre-Revolutionary British commander…read more Braddock led British soldiers to secure control of the land at the fork of the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers in what is now Pittsburgh. The French had built a fort at the site. George Washington was among the volunteer officers under Braddock. During the confrontation between the British and French, Braddock was mortally wounded. He was buried under the road that was constructed by his troops. During repairs to the road, Braddock's remains were discovered and moved to a nearby hill and marked with a memorial. Today, the memorial is managed by the National Park Service. We stopped to learn about Braddock and see the original road that was built. The walk around the park is well marked. The memorial can be seen from old National Road (Rt 40). There is a nice parking area with handicapped parking and accessible walkways. Historical plaques describe the details of Braddock's mission and the battle. A trace of the original road (built by Braddock's troops) where Braddock was unearthed is visible and can be hiked. There are no restroom or other amenities at the park. The park is free to the public. The site is worth a visit for history buffs.