FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2025

Morgantown History Museum to Celebrate Founder's Day

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - On Oct. 17, 1785, Col. Zackquill Morgan was granted a charter for Morgan’s Town on the eastern bank of the Monongahela River. Now, 240 years later, the Morgantown History Museum will commemorate the founding of the City of Morgantown with an exhibit exploring the events and people responsible for its growth from a frontier town into a modern city.

This brand-new exhibit will focus on specific moments in Morgantown’s history through stories and artifacts connected to events and individuals who were part of the rich tapestry of the town’s past. From ironworks and railroads to educators and pilots, the exhibit will allow visitors to walk a bridge from the present to the past through the eyes of those who lived there.

Stories featured will include how Monongalia County aided in the defense of the nation during the War of 1812, how a young Morgantown woman became the youngest female pilot in West Virginia, and what happened to the trolley cars that once traveled throughout the city. These stories and more will offer an overview of the city’s history and provide glimpses into the lives of those who left behind the legacy residents enjoy today.

The public is invited to join the celebration of the 240th anniversary of Morgantown’s founding on Founder's Day, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Morgantown History Museum, located at 175 Kirk St. in downtown Morgantown. Admission is free and open to all.

For more information, contact the museum at morgantownwvhistory@morgantown.gov or call 304-319-1800.

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