This is part six of a travel series to West Virginia. To start at the beginning, go HERE!
On the fourth day of our West Virginia road trip we started the morning at the highest point in West Virginia, went in search of bears at Beartown State Park, and then ended the day in a cave in Lewisburg and a town where we would spend the night. The cave is just a five minute drive from town, so we decided to check out the town of Lewisburg first. I love checking out old towns, even though I don't spend much time shopping. I'm more interested in the architecture and history.
Lewisburg is a vibrant, artsy historic town of about 4,000 people with lots of small town charm but also plenty of things to do.
The plaque below gives a brief of History of Lewisburg. What a pretty view the town had nestled at the base of the mountains. The town is named after Andrew Lewis who is credited with finding Lewis Spring in 1751. The town itself was founded in 1782.
After stopping at their Vistor's Center which is amazing btw and located conveniently in downtown Lewisburg, we walked over to Academy Park. This was a pretty area filled with historic buildings.
Apparently there was a brief battle here during the Civil War. In only thirty minutes 1,600 Union Troops defeated a larger Confederate force of 2, 200 men.
The Northhouse Museum is an 1820 Federalist-style brick home that is operated by the Greenbrier Historical Society. It houses artifacts from the French and Indian War, the Civil War, and early Appalachian Settlement. We did not go inside.
We saw the famous Old Stone Church in the distance (it's actually behind the big grey building with the white pillars) and we meant to walk over there but we ran out of time. The church is the oldest church building in continued use since 1796. It served as a hospital for both Union and Confederate troops during the Civil War. Behind the church is the oldest cemetery west of the Allegheny Mountains.
I loved this old stone home with the flowering tree in front.
On the grounds of the North House Museum is an original cabin from 1748, built by Henry Lipps. It was relocated here to serve as an interactive educational exhibit.
Also located in Academy Park is the historic building that once housed the Greenbrier College for Women. It is now houses the New River Community and Technical College.
Perhaps the most fascinating building of them all was to me was this one: Carnegie Hall. Did you know that there was more than one Carnegie Hall other than the famous one in New York? I certainly did not. You learn something new everyday! Apparently there are four original Carnegie Hall performing art centers: New York, Pittsburgh, Lewisburg, and Dunfermline, Scotland.
I have always wanted to go to Carnegie Hall but I never thought it would be on accident on a road trip through West Virginia 😆. Excuse the goofy outfit, but we were on a hiking trip that very morning and I didn't have the opportunity to switch outfits. I felt kinda silly walking around town dressed this way, but, what are you going to do? They don't have phone booths anymore to change clothes in 😆.
After touring the Academy Park area we headed back to the business district of downtown Lewisburg to check out a few shops.
It looked like they had a good assortment of restaurants, but we weren't ready to eat yet so we didn't visit any to recommend to ya'll.
Love, love, love this building. I just really admire how they built buildings into corner streets back in the day, don't you? They don't seem to do that anymore. Just look at those arched windows and the wrought iron balconies. Incredible! I guess this used to be a bank built in 1897.
I saw this sign on the face of a building and really liked it. Very well done.
Although not quite as charming as
Old Town Winchester, the historic town of Lewisburg also had cute old buildings lining their street.
Even though we walked up and down the main shopping street, we only went into one store and it was this antique shop. I just thought the building looked so inviting I had to go inside.
What a cute little entrance!
I loved the benches to sit and rest a spell. So inviting!
This building really caught our eye the moment we arrived in town and I had to ask about it at the Visitor's Center. It is a three story stone and log structure that is currently being renovated to become an event and program space for the Greenbrier Historical Society. The oldest logs of the building date back to 1799.
On the way back to our car we spotted General Andrew Lewis Park, named after the surveyor, and later General Andrew Lewis in 1750. The formal park was established in 1979 and encompasses the town's original spring and serves as a monument to the areas early history.
This cute old stone structure houses the original spring.
Well I hope you enjoyed my short visit to Lewisburg West Virginia, but our day wasn't over yet! We finished out the fourth day of our road trip with a tour of Lost Caverns...one of the best caves I have ever visited. See you next week for that adventure!
Have A Great Day! Amy
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For more posts from this travel series check these out:
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