What-To-Do Wednesday - Virtual Visits - New River Gorge

What: New River Gorge 

Physical Locations:Nuttallburg, New Haven, WV

                                 Thurmond, WV 

                                 Sandstone Falls, District 3, WV 

                                 Grandview, WV

Take a virtual visit to the New River Gorge in West Virginia, an area that was made a part of the National Park Service in 1978. This historic area is today a very popular area for hiking, climbing, bike riding, and white water rafting as well as offering camps and educational programs for kids. The park's website is full of information, pictures, and videos.

Visit the Parks Website to: 

Learn about such historical figures as 

Joseph Beury who was the operator of the first coal mine on the New River.

Mary Draper Ingles whose capture by members of the Shawnee Nation and subsequent escape has been the inspiration for a number of books and movies.

Carter Woodson who is known as the Father of Black History because among other things he started a Negro History week which eventually led to the creation of Black History Month.

Learn about historic places including: 

Nuttalburg which was once a mining town whose mines were at one time leased by Henry Ford.

Sandstone School which stood at the current site of the Sandstone Visitor Center.

Prince Depot constructed in 1946 and still in use today.

Learn more about the area's history including:

Tales of some of the coal mining disasters that occurred there.

The legend of John Henry one of thousands of men responsible for the construction of the Great Bend Tunnel.

Learn about and view pictures of various plants and animals found in the area including:

Rhododendrons

Mountain Laurels

Allegheny Woodrats

Peregrine Falcons

Views numerous videos including ones regarding

Available activities in the park

Various locations in the area.

To learn more or make a virtual visit of your own to New River Gorge, go to https://www.nps.gov/neri/index.htm

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

Photo credits:

photo credit  1: Brook-Ward New River Gorge Bridge via photopin (license)

Photo credit 2: Rana X. Thurmond, WV via photopin (license)

photo credit 3: Scooter Flix Mountain Laurel in Bloom via photopin (license)

photo credit 4: DFChurch Sandstone Falls via photopin (license)