Fort New Salem

Fort New Salem is a living history museum with 18 log structures spread across approximately 8 acres next to Salem International University in Harrison County. The buildings are authentic nineteenth-century structures that were relocated from various locations across West Virginia to this site.

The museum opened in 1974 as part of Salem College, built using buildings relocated from across West Virginia to recreate a frontier settlement from the nineteenth century. This gathering of authentic structures created a place where visitors could experience how settlers lived and worked during that era.

The site showcases crafts and skills passed down through Appalachian communities for generations, including pottery, blacksmithing, and basket weaving. Visitors can watch these techniques in action and see how people created everyday objects by hand.

The site is easy to walk through, allowing visitors to explore the buildings at their own pace and style. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, especially if you want to take time to see how each structure is arranged and furnished.

The Green Tree Tavern restoration project reveals how preservationists research and recreate original architectural details from the nineteenth century. This careful work helps visitors understand what these spaces actually looked like and how people used them in daily life.

Location: West Virginia

Website: http://fortnewsalemfoundation.org

GPS coordinates: 39.28940,-80.56560

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:01