Southern West Virginia is filled with history. From the feuding between (now famous) families, to the rich history of immigrants in the area, to the culture, and of course, the mine wars, there is no shortage of stories to be told about this region. At the heart of this history is the little town of Matewan, West Virginia.
Strolling Through History
Matewan finds itself the setting for so many of the most famous stories in West Virginia history. This is the site of the Matewan Massacre, also known as the Battle of Matewan, and an important spot for anyone who loves to learn about the Hatfield and McCoy feud. This year, as a part of the ongoing celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Blair Mountain, the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum will be hosting a Guided Walking Tour of the town.
The tour will start during the Hatfield-McCoy Feud, of course, and will take folks through the arrival of the railroads and associated industries, all the way up to the Battle of Matewan, where local miners and their allies, including police chief Sid Hatfield, clashed with the agents seeking to evict workers and their families.
This event will be a must-see for anyone with a passion for local history, and it is free, though donations are invited and encouraged. The tour will take place September 5th at 4:45pm. Those wishing to participate need only be outside the Mine Wars Museum before the tour starts. To learn more about this event, visit here.
