Cabell County can be explored from two perspectives: Huntington lies on the Ohio River, across from Ohio, and at the point where West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky meet. The county brings together a clearly defined river landscape and a cultural history spanning technology and school buildings to theater and music.
Technology, art, and repurposed buildings
At the Museum of Radio & Technology, you’ll encounter antique radios, military communications equipment, and vintage computers. The collection is housed in a repurposed red-brick elementary school building from the 1920s, covering more than 10,000 square feet. The contrast between its former use as a school and its technology-history exhibits makes both the building and the collection part of the visit.
The Huntington Museum of Art offers a different perspective: it is a nationally accredited fine arts museum. Its 52-acre grounds combine art and nature trails, offering two distinct ways to explore: art and paths through nature.
The county also has its share of school history. The One Room School Museum was a one-room schoolhouse dating from 1889. Together with the former elementary school building that houses the Museum of Radio & Technology, it offers a look at two distinct eras in school history: the late 19th century and the 1920s.
In Huntington, repurposed buildings also tell the story of their former functions. The Shops at Heritage Station are located in a former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad passenger depot that was converted into a mixed-use complex with a variety of shops. The station building thus connects its former role with its new use.
Theater and music in Huntington
The Keith-Albee Theatre was built in 1928 in an ornate Spanish Baroque style. Today, it continues to offer a program of national and local productions as well as film festivals. Its combination of architectural history and live performances appeals to architecture enthusiasts and visitors looking for performances or film festivals alike. As the program may change, it’s worth checking the current schedule.
The Huntington Symphony Orchestra also combines a long institutional history with a seasonal program: it has existed in various forms since the 1930s. Each season, it presents an average of six classical performances at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center and three summer pops performances at Harris Riverfront Park. These details distinguish not only the musical genres but also the venues and seasonal context of the pops performances.
Art and personal perspectives
Marshall University offers guided campus tours Monday through Saturday. As tour schedules may change, it’s a good idea to check the current dates before your visit. At the university, the Birke Gallery exhibits works by students and professional artists for the university, the campus, and the wider community. The campus tour and gallery focus on different things: one takes you around campus, while the other presents works of art.
Parks and trails
Ritter Park in Huntington is a public park maintained by the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District. Numerous long hiking trails run along Four Pole Creek. In Cabell County, Beech Fork State Park also offers opportunities for biking, boating, camping, hiking, and fishing. This puts a park with creekside trails alongside a state park offering a variety of recreational activities.
For information about Huntington and Cabell County, the Huntington Area Convention and Visitors Bureau provides visitor resources. Discover more destinations: Barboursville, Huntington, Mineral County, Berkeley County, Pocahontas County, Upshur, Marion, McDowell County.
For the broader travel overview: West Virginia.
