Dark history

Matewan, West Virginia · Mingo County

West Virginia Mine Wars Museum

A public museum in downtown Matewan devoted to the violent labor conflicts that shaped the southern West Virginia coalfields.

AccessPublic museum
Best forCoalfield conflict & Matewan history
When to goYear-round
ExperienceMuseum · historic downtown

About the place

Why visit.

The Mine Wars Museum belongs in AAD’s “dark history” category. It gives visitors the documented context behind one of Appalachia’s most dramatic periods without forcing a paranormal angle onto the history.

Public access

How you can visit

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM–5 PM with regular admission listed at $5. Group tours can be scheduled in advance.

On the ground

What you'll find

Exhibits on the Mine Wars, the Battle of Matewan, coalfield labor history, and a walkable downtown where much of that history unfolded.

After dark

Halloween and paranormal context

Matewan can support future haunted-history or folklore content, but the permanent location page should remain grounded in the museum and the town’s documented history.