Group Tours

TOUR SEASON STARTS APRIL 1, 2011...CALL NOW TO BOOK YOUR BUS TOURS, SCHOOL GROUPS OR ORGANIZATIONS.

Group Tours at the former WV Penitentiary are 90-minutes of history, education, fun and interaction with your tour guide about cold, hard facts. For instance, some inmates spent 22 out of 24 hours in their cells. Old Sparky was built by an inmate, and much more ... This is an experience like no other! The gothic-style structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was also listed as on one of the top 500 places to visit in "USA Today." Also in 2005, the former WV Penitentiary was listed with "Travelocity" as one of the LOCAL SECRETS, BIG FINDS from more than 30,000 entries as a top insider spot in the United States.

School Bus Tours

School groups, senior organizations, clubs, or unique family reunion activities, will walk down the long, eerie hallway and see (maybe even enter) a 5x7 cell that was once occupied by an inmate. You also will view an array of artwork done by inmates. On the last lap of this 90-minute tour you will visit the museum, a great place to absorb more education and information. Within the museum, a variety of contraband will be on display, a mock death cell and a copy of the letter from Charles Manson requesting transfer to the former WV Penitentiary, and last but definitely not least, "OLD SPARKY." The electric chair that was made by an inmate to execute inmates. It will be an experience that you will talk about all the way home!

Group Tours consists of at least TWENTY people and a reservation MUST be made at least a week in advance by calling 304.845.6200 or email tours@wvpentours.com