W.H. Smith Hardware Company Building

The W.H. Smith Hardware Company Building is a four-story masonry structure with Romanesque Revival architectural details located in downtown Parkersburg. The red brick building occupies a full block and now functions as the Oil and Gas Museum displaying local industrial history.

The structure was built in 1899 using foundations from 1874, showing that an earlier building once stood on this site. It served as the W.H. Smith Hardware Company headquarters until the business closed in the 1980s.

The building now houses the Oil and Gas Museum, displaying items that show how industry shaped the region's growth. Visitors can see how important such business buildings were to the community's development.

The building sits on 3rd Street in the downtown area and is easily reached on foot. If you want to photograph or study the exterior architecture, visit on clear days when sunlight shows the red brick details to best advantage.

The building received listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 for its distinctive architectural character. This recognition marks its importance as a testament to regional commerce and local business heritage.

Location: West Virginia

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 11:00-17:00

Website: http://oilandgasmuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 39.26610,-81.56390

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:48