Even Locals Don’t Know About This Free Mini Fossil Museum Hiding In West Virginia

Did you know about the mini natural history museum in the lobby of the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey Office on Cheat Lake? Most people don't, but they should: even though it's small, it has some impressive specimens, and it's free!

Cheat Lake is a long, narrow body of water located near Morgantown, West Virginia. It's a beautiful spot to visit at any time of year, but even most locals don't know about one of its most unusual and informative attractions.

Tucked away in the Mont Chateau building on Cheat Lake, you can find the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey office. Despite the slightly imposing name, it's a spot you'll want to visit.

Why? Because hidden inside these walls is a fascinating mini-museum featuring local (and non-local) natural history specimens.

From dinosaur models to examples of West Virginia's state fossil and state gemstone to information on fossils you might pick up in your local creek bed, this mini-museum is well worth becoming acquainted with.

It holds appeal for all ages, and even though it's small, it features some pretty impressive exhibits!

Swing on by soon to learn more about local natural history, and say hi to Al the Allosaurus while you're there! The West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey's Mini-Museum of Geology & Natural History is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on weekdays.

Did you already know about this museum or is it news to you? To learn more about what the WVGES mini-museum features, visit their website, where you can find plenty of online information about local West Virginia fossils to tide you through until you can visit them in person! You can also find WVGES on Facebook.

Do you love natural history? You can also visit another mini fossil museum at Lost World Caverns or even find your own fossils at this roadside dig!