Heritage Farm Museum and Village

HERITAGE FARM MUSEUM AND VILLAGE — Huntington, WV

We packed up our camper and headed out for the next campground with high hopes for our planned stop on the way there.

The village showcased the arts of the first mountain settlers, their inventions, and progress made since. We viewed an impressive collection of antique cars in the Transportation Museum, all in pristine condition. I had to slurp up the drool as I looked at the 1927 Ford Roadster truck.

In the Progress Museum is where you find Zane’s Park. It’s an old animatronics display created by a school janitor using things available to him. Items such as a wire brush, bucket, jugs from his used cleaning supplies, etc. were all used to make it a reality to entertain the children he served and loved at the school. 

The picture on the left is just one of the many structures. The whole thing was around 10 x 10 feet.  It had a rollercoaster, ferris wheel, along with other wonders. Flashing lights and dancing ballerinas seem to be a big hit with the kids in the building. Progress Museum Superwoman (we will call her PMS, no...let’s call her Superwoman for short), told us that the BEST part is when the kids see the couple in the upstairs window KISS!!!! She gets to stand to the side, turn in on and see the kid’s faces as they witness the wooden man and woman swapping sawdust. 

When we arrived, we had an hour and a half to see it all. They said it wasn’t a problem. It wouldn’t have been if West Virginia people weren’t so friendly. The very first staff person to welcome us asked where we are from and we said West Michigan. She enthusiastically said she loves Traverse City, yada, yada, yada. She was as sweet as honey and I wanted to tell her the next time she comes to Michigan, her and her husband can just stay with us. However, Jim might not like that too much. ;)

This trend continued with more people asking, and everybody talking about their experiences at the Tulip Time Festival, Mackinaw Island, the Upper Peninsula, and many more.

With 16 minutes to closing, the nice smiling late middle aged woman in the Industry Museum asked where we are from. We told her and her face lit up. She told us that her son lives in Grand Rapids with his wife and they are going to have their first grandchild. That’s not that crazy. Everyone here had some connection to Michigan!! However, it was a little more interesting when she said that her son is Jay Plyburn, a news anchor on WZZM 13. They will be visiting them in a month.

She was a VERY proud, as she should be! She said to go over and say something to her husband in the Drug Store. So, of course, we did. He played it all cool. Ha! Guys are so different than girls.

If you get a chance to stop by, it’s worth it. They also have a zip line, ropes course, a petting zoo, and wagon rides. I’m sure we missed something but give yourself enough time and save up your words and you will have a blast!

P.S. To whom it may concern, would like this Six Shooter Arcade game for our basement for Christmas.