Non-Profit Organizations

North Bend Rails-to-Trails Foundation

P.O. Box 206
Cairo, WV 26337

Phone: 304.628.3777

Email: northbendrailtrail@gmail.com

Governing Board of Directors:
Chairman Valerie Lane (Doddridge Co.); Vice-Chairman Ken Adams (Ritchie Co.); Secretary D.J. Allen (Ritchie Co.); and Treasurer Duane Thomas (Harrison Co.)

Founded in 1991, the North Bend Rails-to-Trails Foundation is a non-profit organization, represented by citizens of the four counties (Wood, Ritchie, Doddridge and Harrison) which make up the North Bend Rail Trail. We support, promote and provide for the improvement of the Trail.

The North Bend Rail Trail is a multiuse recreational trail operated by West Virginia State Parks, formerly a main line of the B&O (later CSX) railway. The trail is part of the 5,500-mile coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail.

The NBRT covers 72 miles from near I-77 outside Parkersburg in Wood County to Wolf Summit in Harrison County. This scenic trail passes through 10 tunnels and crosses 38 bridges. Easily accessible from north/south interstates 77 and 79, the trail roughly parallels U.S. Route 50 east and west.

Ritchie County Historical Society

Ritchie County Historical Society
310 Myles Avenue
Pennsboro WV 26415

Phone: 304.659.2399

Email: info@RitchieHistoricalSociety.com

Officers: President - Mike Nichols, 1st Vice President - Walt Fleming, 2nd Vice President - Annetta Whippen, Secretary - Jane Kraft, Treasurer - Jackie Fleming

Visit the historical society’s website to learn more about the historical society and/or the county’s history. To obtain a complete list of the society’s publications or for additional information, E-mail the historical society at: info@ritchiehistroicalsociety.com.

Open hour tour dates and times for the Old Stone House and the Pennsboro B&O Depot will be posted on the website above. NOTICE: The Old Stone House & Pennsboro Depot are normally closed during the winter months.

The Ritchie County Historical Society was formed in 1973 and purchased the Old Stone House on June 20, 1977. The Old Stone House, constructed in 1810 -1815 and used as a Stage Coach stop on the Northwestern Turnpike, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. It is now a museum of 20+ rooms with a genealogy library and is located at 310 Myles Avenue in Pennsboro.

The society also leases the Pennsboro B & O Depot and has restored it as a railroad museum and community center. The video above provides information about the history of the depot. The society also helped establish the Cairo Museum and the General Thomas M. Harris School Museum in Harrisville.

The society’s numerous publications include: “The History of Ritchie County” by Minnie Kendall Lowther; “Ritchie County, WV Cemeteries – Through 1993”; “A Photographic History of Ritchie Co., WV”; “North Bend Rail Trail Guide” by Charlene Lattea; and “The Life and Times of the Pennsboro B & O Depot.”

Society membership – Annual dues are $10.00 by email or $15 by USPS and based on the calendar year. The society normally meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month, February through October. Interested parties are encouraged to attend. Monthly meeting places and times are posted on their website.

Ritchie County Library Board

Emilee Seese, Director
Robert Webber, Board President

608 East Main Street
Harrisville, WV 26362

Phone: 304.643.2717
Fax: 304.643.4019

E-mail: seesee@mail.mln.lib.wv.us

Harrisville: Monday & Thursday 9 am-8 pm, Tuesday & Friday 9 am-5:30 pm, Wednesday 9 am-Noon, Saturday 9 am-2 pm

Pennsboro: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9 am-5:30 pm, Tuesday 9 am-8 pm, Thursday 9 am-Noon, Saturday 9 am-2 pm.