Sandstone Visitor Center

From West Virginia (WV) Cyclopedia

In northern Summers County at Sandstone, WV, the Sandstone Visitor Center is designed to interpret the cultural and natural history of the whole of the New River, not only the length included within the territory of the New River Gorge National River. This might most obviously be illustrated by the tiled map of the river's course, which has been inlaid across the floor of the center's main room and which traces the passage of the New from its sources in North Carolina to its mouth at the Kanawha River.

Designed by SMP Architects, of Philadelphia, PA, and opened in 2003, the center also illustrates methods and benefits of environmentally sustainable design. Built almost entirely of local and recyclable materials on a formerly developed property, construction required less-than-typical investment for shipping and avoided consuming undeveloped parkland. Its bright roof, south-facing windows, and geothermal heating system all provide for energy savings estimated at 60 percent below industry standards, according to the park service. Its landscape design incorporates only native plants, which require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides than non-native species, and runoff from the building and parking areas is routed through depressions to provide maximum natural irrigation.

Visitors are invited to explore the grounds, throughout which they'll find exhibits and interpretive signage that illustrate the particulars of the landscape and the eco-friendly methodology of site and building construction. Picnic tables are located near the parking areas. Inside the center, visitors are afforded restroom facilities as well as extensive exhibits designed to enhance their understanding of the New River system and its environmental sustainability issues and to help orient them to the southern region of the New River Gorge and the New River Gorge National River. Park rangers are on hand to guide tours and answer questions at the center's information desk. A visitor-center shop is regularly open to provide publications specific to the park and surroundings and includes a selection of books on recreation, cultural and natural history, the environment and nature, children's topics, and topographic maps of the park.

Hours of Operation: Open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. except on Christmas Day, and New Year's Day, and Thanksgiving Day.

Directions: From the I-64 exit 139 at Sandstone, WV, bear right onto Meadow Creek Road toward Meadow Creek, WV, and drive approximately one quarter mile to the visitor center entrance, well marked on the right.

Telephone: (304) 466-0417