Taylor Hospitality and Woodlands Development Group are proud to announce “Lost Towns/Lost Communities”, a collaboration with West Virginia artists to create artwork for the Tygart Hotel exploring five ghost towns in the Monongahela National Forest. Executive Director Dave Clark says that, “As a local community-based organization, celebrating our area’s rich history at the Tygart Hotel is a priority for Woodlands. We are excited about engaging these local artists to help tell the story of the Tygart and the region.”
Pieces of art, maps, historic photos, and descriptive interpretations will be displayed prominently in public areas of the Tygart Hotel. The art will focus on the towns of Spruce, Burner, Osceola, Wildell, and Evenwood, all formerly located in Randolph and Pocahontas Counties. These towns each have their own story to tell, but all existed during the lumber and mining booms around the turn of the 20th century.
This art will shine a light on the rich history of the Mon Forest, and the people and communities that built Elkins and the Tygart Hotel at the turn of the last century. The artwork will be created by local West Virginia artists Kylie Proudfoot-Payne, Sara Cottingham, Kelson Thorne, Nevada Tribble, and Wilhelmina McWhorter.
The Tygart Hotel is a historic landmark in Elkins, West Virginia, and has been undergoing a major renovation since 2017. The hotel is owned by Woodlands Development Group, a local non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the Monongahela National Forest. The hotel will be managed by Taylor Hospitality, a leading hospitality management company based out of Waynesboro, Virginia, and is committed to creating an inviting accommodation that captures the local culture.
Chief Executive Officer Sean Taylor stated “We are thrilled to be a part of this project. The Tygart Hotel will be a beautiful addition to the Monongahela National Forest and we are excited to be able to honor the lost towns of the forest with the artwork featured in the hotel.”
The “Lost Towns/Lost Communities” project is an exciting opportunity to honor the history of the Monongahela National Forest and the people who lived there. The artwork will be a lasting reminder of the stories and dreams of the people who lived in these towns, and will be a beautiful addition to the Tygart Hotel.