Watts Museum at West Virginia University
Source: http://wattsmuseum.wvu.edu
Archived: 2026-04-23 15:29
Watts Museum at West Virginia University
Our Industries, Our Communities, Our Histories
At the Watts Museum, we explore the significance of technology and industrialization
on our region’s communities and landscape. Through exhibits, programs, and outreach,
the Museum preserves and interprets the history of West Virginia’s mineral resources
and related industries. Our goal is to inspire creative and analytical thinking
about the many facets of energy-related industries in the Mountain State.
Learn more about our current exhibit
WHAT WE DO
Preserving History
Exhibits: Each year, we develop a new exhibit that interprets our state’s industrial
heritage in creative and thought-provoking ways. Past exhibit topics have included
mine rescue teams in the Appalachian coalfields, the timber industry’s impact on
regional folk music, and the early extraction of oil in West Virginia for lighting,
machine lubricant, and medicine.
Programs: The Watts Museum presents public programs and events that complement our
exhibits and support our mission. Our staff can also customize group programs to
fit the needs and interests of various audiences – school kids, summer campers,
retirees, college students, professionals, and more.
Research and Preservation: Upon approval by our staff, the Watts Museum allows students
and researchers to access and study its collections. The museum also approves temporary
artifact loans to other institutions on a case-by-case basis. As part of our mission
to preserve the history of West Virginia’s mineral resources and related industries,
we follow professional guidelines for the safety and storage of artifacts and documents
as our museum’s capacity allows.
History of the Museum
Current Exhibit
Core Selections: Highlights of the Oil and Gas Industry from West Virginia Museums
In some pockets of West Virginia, the oil and gas industry has altered landscapes,
lives, and communities with as much impact—but much less attention—than coal.
Featuring an array of petroleum-related artifacts from museums throughout West Virginia,
Core Selections explores the significance of these items to the regional oil and
gas industry and the socio-economic development of the Mountain State. Though layers
of rust, soil, patina, and oils have accumulated on their surfaces, we can still
extract core pieces of West Virginia’s history from the stories these objects convey.
Learn more about our current exhibit
Past Exhibits
Mineral Matters: Artmaking and West Virginia's Mineral Resources
Drawing the Battle Lines: Editorial Cartoons from the West Virginia Mine Wars
Timber/Timbre: Falling Trees and Rising Voices – Logging and Music in West Virginia,
1880-1930
Man Power, Mine Power: The Evolution and Impact of Coal Mining Machines
View All Past Exhibits
Support the Museum
39
Since 2010, the Watts Museum has organized 39 total exhibits including temporary,
traveling and satellite exhibits.
What began as a few artifacts in a glass case is now an endowed, professionally staffed
museum with annual exhibits, traveling displays, program series, a historical library,
and more.
50,000 Objects
The Watts Museum’s collection includes approximately 50,000 objects, photographs and
archival documents, including one the largest selections of miners’ flame safety
lamps in the U.S.
We can't do it without you
The Royce J. and Caroline B. Watts Museum is made possible by the philanthropy
of those who support, finance and enrich the Museum’s programs, exhibitions,
collections and research. Your contributions help the Watts Museum realize its
fullest potential for the benefit of the community, WVU and Appalachia’s industrial
heritage.
Learn more about how you can support the Watts Museum
Plan Your Visit
DIRECTIONS
Find a map of the museum location, and personalized driving directions here.
PARKING
Learn more about where to park and how to obtain parking permits here.
HOURS
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 1pm – 4pm Learn more about visiting by appointment and
holidays WVU is closed.
ADMISSION
Admission to the Watts Museum is free!
CONNECT WITH US
Keep up-to-date with everything happening at the Watts Museum, and keep us in the
loop too!
Facebook
WATTS MUSEUM
1374 Evansdale Drive | PO Box 6070
Morgantown, WV 26506-6070
Phone:
304-293-4609
Facebook
Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
1374 Evansdale Drive | PO Box 6070
Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6070
Phone:
304.293.4821
|
Email:
statler-info@mail.wvu.edu
Driving Directions
Connect With Us
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTube
Our Industries, Our Communities, Our Histories
At the Watts Museum, we explore the significance of technology and industrialization
on our region’s communities and landscape. Through exhibits, programs, and outreach,
the Museum preserves and interprets the history of West Virginia’s mineral resources
and related industries. Our goal is to inspire creative and analytical thinking
about the many facets of energy-related industries in the Mountain State.
Learn more about our current exhibit
WHAT WE DO
Preserving History
Exhibits: Each year, we develop a new exhibit that interprets our state’s industrial
heritage in creative and thought-provoking ways. Past exhibit topics have included
mine rescue teams in the Appalachian coalfields, the timber industry’s impact on
regional folk music, and the early extraction of oil in West Virginia for lighting,
machine lubricant, and medicine.
Programs: The Watts Museum presents public programs and events that complement our
exhibits and support our mission. Our staff can also customize group programs to
fit the needs and interests of various audiences – school kids, summer campers,
retirees, college students, professionals, and more.
Research and Preservation: Upon approval by our staff, the Watts Museum allows students
and researchers to access and study its collections. The museum also approves temporary
artifact loans to other institutions on a case-by-case basis. As part of our mission
to preserve the history of West Virginia’s mineral resources and related industries,
we follow professional guidelines for the safety and storage of artifacts and documents
as our museum’s capacity allows.
History of the Museum
Current Exhibit
Core Selections: Highlights of the Oil and Gas Industry from West Virginia Museums
In some pockets of West Virginia, the oil and gas industry has altered landscapes,
lives, and communities with as much impact—but much less attention—than coal.
Featuring an array of petroleum-related artifacts from museums throughout West Virginia,
Core Selections explores the significance of these items to the regional oil and
gas industry and the socio-economic development of the Mountain State. Though layers
of rust, soil, patina, and oils have accumulated on their surfaces, we can still
extract core pieces of West Virginia’s history from the stories these objects convey.
Learn more about our current exhibit
Past Exhibits
Mineral Matters: Artmaking and West Virginia's Mineral Resources
Drawing the Battle Lines: Editorial Cartoons from the West Virginia Mine Wars
Timber/Timbre: Falling Trees and Rising Voices – Logging and Music in West Virginia,
1880-1930
Man Power, Mine Power: The Evolution and Impact of Coal Mining Machines
View All Past Exhibits
Support the Museum
39
Since 2010, the Watts Museum has organized 39 total exhibits including temporary,
traveling and satellite exhibits.
What began as a few artifacts in a glass case is now an endowed, professionally staffed
museum with annual exhibits, traveling displays, program series, a historical library,
and more.
50,000 Objects
The Watts Museum’s collection includes approximately 50,000 objects, photographs and
archival documents, including one the largest selections of miners’ flame safety
lamps in the U.S.
We can't do it without you
The Royce J. and Caroline B. Watts Museum is made possible by the philanthropy
of those who support, finance and enrich the Museum’s programs, exhibitions,
collections and research. Your contributions help the Watts Museum realize its
fullest potential for the benefit of the community, WVU and Appalachia’s industrial
heritage.
Learn more about how you can support the Watts Museum
Plan Your Visit
DIRECTIONS
Find a map of the museum location, and personalized driving directions here.
PARKING
Learn more about where to park and how to obtain parking permits here.
HOURS
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 1pm – 4pm Learn more about visiting by appointment and
holidays WVU is closed.
ADMISSION
Admission to the Watts Museum is free!
CONNECT WITH US
Keep up-to-date with everything happening at the Watts Museum, and keep us in the
loop too!
WATTS MUSEUM
1374 Evansdale Drive | PO Box 6070
Morgantown, WV 26506-6070
Phone:
304-293-4609
Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
1374 Evansdale Drive | PO Box 6070
Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6070
Phone:
304.293.4821
|
Email:
statler-info@mail.wvu.edu
Driving Directions
Connect With Us
YouTube