You’re part of preserving history.
The Museums of the Mid-Ohio Valley preserve and share the remarkable stories of local history. As a nonprofit organization founded in 1989, we care for five historic properties - from Native American settlements to Civil War battles, from frontier pioneers to industrial titans, from a single oil well in 1859 to an industry that changed the world.
Our mission is to honor and celebrate the rich heritage of the Mid-Ohio Valley and surrounding oil and gas regions, sharing this legacy for public benefit. Through our museums, we protect irreplaceable artifacts, preserve historic buildings, and offer educational experiences that bring our area's pivotal role in American history to life.
What started with a $1 rental of the W.H. Smith Hardware Store has grown into a collection of nationally significant sites. Today, we own and operate five properties, four listed on the National Register of Historic Places, welcoming thousands of visitors each year to discover stories they won't find anywhere else.
Here's what makes the Museums of the MOV special:
We preserve the story of Burning Springs, where the first successful oil well produced 500 barrels per day in 1860, launching an industry that reshaped America and the world
Henderson Hall, our 8,000-square-foot Italianate mansion, offers an untouched view of Victorian-era life, complete with original furnishings spanning six generations and 200 years
The W.H. Smith Hardware Store houses nationally recognized collections covering oil and gas history, Civil War artifacts, local industry, and Parkersburg's bicentennial story
The Cook House represents one of only two remaining buildings in Wood County directly linked to the settlement period, owned by the same family from 1825 to 2010
Our exhibits honor all who shaped this region, including Native American cultures, enslaved people who labored here, and immigrants who built thriving communities
From frontier life to industrial innovation, from Civil War battlefields to oil boom towns, we tell the complete story of how the Mid-Ohio Valley became the birthplace of modern energy. Your support helps us preserve these irreplaceable stories for future generations.
Ways to Give
Annual Giving
The Museums of the MOV Annual Fund provides resources for many key programs including but not limited to:
Historic Preservation: Your gifts fund essential building maintenance, from routine repairs to major infrastructure projects like new visitor elevators, improved lighting systems, and upgraded HVAC at the W.H. Smith Hardware Store.
Grounds and Gardens: Support ongoing landscaping, plantings, and physical upkeep of our historic properties, ensuring these National Register sites remain welcoming and beautiful for visitors.
Educational Programming: Fund hands-on learning experiences and demonstrations including glass blowing, blacksmithing, traditional crafts like apple butter making, and other living history programs that bring the past to life.
Henderson Hall Experience: Help develop and expand visitor programming at our 8,000-square-foot Victorian mansion, supporting preservation of the Henderson family cemetery and enhancement of tours and exhibits.
Community Outreach: Enable us to share our region's history beyond our walls through school programs, community events, and educational initiatives that reach new audiences.
Visitor Experience Improvements: Support enhancements that make our museums more accessible and engaging, from new exhibits and displays to improved visitor amenities and interpretive materials.
Planned Giving
There are many ways to leave a legacy to the Museums of the Mid-Ohio Valley. A planned gift can be given through a will, trust, life insurance, IRA, or other estate planning tools. Often there are tax incentives and benefits that encourage charitable giving. Whatever type of gift you choose, when you become a Legacy Friend of the Museums of the MOV, your gift will help ensure that our region's remarkable history is preserved and shared for generations to come.
Your planned gift supports our mission to honor and celebrate the rich heritage of the Mid-Ohio Valley
Suggested language for a gift in a will:
I give the sum of __ Dollars ($XX) to the Oil, Gas and Industrial Historical Association, Inc., Parkersburg, West Virginia, or its successor or successors, for the unrestricted support of the Museums of the Mid-Ohio Valley's mission.
If you prefer, we can work with you and your advisor to customize your impact by suggesting language for a restricted gift or specific purpose, as well as discuss various planned giving options that might benefit both you and our museums.
For more information or questions about planned giving opportunities, please contact us!
Corporate Support
As a Corporate Partner of the Museums of the Mid-Ohio Valley, your sponsorship supports our mission to preserve and share our region's remarkable history while providing opportunities to connect with the community.
The Museums of the Mid-Ohio Valley host a variety of special events throughout the year that offer sponsorship opportunities including:
Educational tours and school programming
Living history demonstrations (blacksmithing, glass blowing, traditional crafts)
Seasonal events and holiday programming
Community outreach initiatives
Your partnership helps us tell the complete story of where America's oil and gas industry began, preserve our five historic properties, and share the legacy of the Mid-Ohio Valley with thousands of visitors annually.
All sponsorship packages will be tailored to meet your company's marketing and community engagement goals. We understand that businesses in the oil and gas sector, local industries, and community organizations each have unique interests in our region's history, and we're excited to create partnerships that highlight those connections.
We look forward to partnering with you to preserve our shared heritage! For more information about corporate sponsorship opportunities, please contact us!
Memorial Gifts
Honor the memory of a loved one or celebrate a special friend, volunteer, or donor with a lasting tribute at Henderson Hall. Jock's Orchard features apple trees planted in memorial, honoring the historic visit by Johnny Appleseed to our region.
Each memorial tree creates a living legacy within our historic grounds, where your loved one's memory will grow and flourish alongside the stories we preserve. These meaningful gifts support Henderson Hall's mission while creating a beautiful, enduring tribute that families can visit for generations to come.
For more information about memorial tree plantings and pricing, please contact us.
