West Virginia
Art, History & Archaeology Sites & Museums

Nicknamed ‘the Mountain State’, West Virginia occupies part of the Appalachian Mountain chain. Before European colonisation, these mountains were inhabited by indigenous peoples, including members of the Adena Culture who left several large mounds behind them. English settlers moved into the area in the 17th century, at which point these lands were used largely by the Iroquois Confederacy. West Virginia was part of Virginia until 1861, when the latter seceded from the United States to join the new Confederate States. Wanting to remain with the Union, the West Virginians broke away from Virginia and in 1863 established their own state. Later in the 19th century, coal mining became a key part of the state’s economy.