Oil & Gas Museum

This nationally-recognized museum showcases the
history and impact of oil and gas in the Appalachian Basin.

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The origins of the Mountaineer State can be traced back to
Wood County and the regional accumulation of wealth from oil.

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The U.S. Civil War had a significant impact on
western Virginia—its statehood, its people, and its industries.

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Industry grew following the Civil War and the addition of factories helped Parkersburg
to prosper due the work and vision of key people who became titans of their respective industries.

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Oil & Gas Museum and the W.H. Smith Hardware Store

The Oil & Gas Museum is located inside the W. H. Smith Hardware store in downtown Parkersburg, West Virginia. The museum highlights the history and present-day impact of oil and gas in the Appalachian Basin. The museum portrays the rich and impactful history that the industry has played in our region, featuring oil and gas artifacts, along with other significant industrial developments in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Blending some of the oldest oil and gas artifacts in existence with current displays of how revolutionary the industry has become, the museum offers a valuable insight into the ever-changing oil and gas business. This nationally recognized museum presents the intriguing history of the oil and gas industry, including how the accumulation of wealth from oil impacted West Virginia statehood.

The former W. H. Smith Hardware store, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, also houses the area’s Civil War Museum and other military history. These exhibits tell the story of the innovators and entrepreneurs who fought to create the new state of West Virginia and develop its industries.