Do you know where the world’s only Mothman Museum is? We sure do—it’s right in the heart of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Our team recently made the trip, and let me tell you, this quirky small museum draws in visitors from all over the globe.
The whole thing is about the strange sightings that shook the little town in the 1960s. But it’s also more than just a history lesson—it’s an experience that will leave you asking yourself: “What the heck really happened here?”
So, whether you’re a die-hard cryptid fan or just curious about local legends, this is a place you won’t want to miss.
In this article:
Mothman Museum History
When we first entered the Mothman Museum, we felt like stepping back into Point Pleasant’s mysterious past.
The museum opened its doors in 2005 thanks to one very dedicated person: Jeff Wamsley, a Point Pleasant native who couldn’t get enough of the Mothman legend.
Wamsley (a high school teacher and local historian) grew up hearing all about the bizarre Mothman sightings that reportedly terrorized the town in the late 1960s. He began collecting newspaper clippings, eyewitness accounts, and memorabilia. Everything related to these strange sightings he could get his hands on.
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Jeff’s collection kept growing over the years, becoming increasingly impressive. Eventually, he needed a place to put it all—somewhere everyone could see it. And just like that, the world’s only Mothman museum was born.
Given Point Pleasant’s troubled past (alleged curses, bloody battles, fires, floods, cryptid sightings, UFOs, and mysterious Men in Black), when Wamsley launched the museum on Main Street, it quickly became the central hub for preserving this local folklore.
Over the years, the museum has expanded, attracting global media attention, especially after the 2002 release of “The Mothman Prophecies” movie, starring Richard Gere.
Museum Exhibits
Walking through the museum, we got a true sense of the mystery and fear that gripped Point Pleasant from 1966 to 1967. The Mothman Museum offers an incredibly profound dive into the legend, featuring rare archives that perfectly capture the bizarre happenings that shook the town.
One of the coolest things we found was the handwritten eyewitness reports collected from the original sightings. These reports are not something you can just find online. In fact, most of these reports have not even been published.
The museum also has all the original newspaper clippings detailing the Mothman sightings and the collapse of the Silver Bridge in December 1967. Seeing these clippings up close made the story feel very real. You can actually see (and understand) why so many locals believed the creature was a harbinger of doom.
There’s even video footage and other documentation of the bridge collapse, which connects the eerie creature to the town’s tragic history.
Now, if you’re a fan of the 2002 film, you’ll enjoy the props from the movie collection—including a bunch of items used by stars Richard Gere and Laura Linney.
For those looking for a more interactive experience, the museum has life-sized Mothman replicas, perfect for photo ops. And let’s not forget the Mothman merchandise—we couldn’t leave without grabbing some!
And since we mentioned the mysterious Men in Black, who reportedly showed up in Point Pleasant after the Mothman sightings, there are plenty of exhibits about that, too. Here, you will find a lot of information about the MIB’s supposed involvement in intimidating witnesses who had seen the creature or UFOs during that time.
Other exhibits cover the works of John Keel and Mary Hyre (a local reporter deeply involved in the paranormal events that unfolded).
Visiting the Museum
The Mothman Museum is located at 400 Main Street, Point Pleasant, West Virginia, right in the heart of town. It’s super easy to find and makes a perfect stop if you’re passing through or planning a memorable trip to explore the legend.
We found it convenient that the museum is open seven days a week, but make sure to check the hours before you go:
- Monday through Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Just a heads-up: the museum is closed on major holidays like Christmas, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Easter.
Admission is super affordable, too:
- Adults (11 and older): $4.99
- Children (10 and under): $1.99
The museum accepts both cash and major credit cards like VISA and MasterCard.
If you’re visiting the Mothman Museum, Point Pleasant offers several nearby attractions to help you make the most of your day:
- The Mothman Statue: Right next to the museum, this 12-foot-tall stainless steel statue is a must-see for fans. It’s one of the most iconic symbols of the Mothman legend, and it’s perfect for some Instagram photos.
- Point Pleasant Riverfront Park: Just a short walk from the museum, this peaceful park offers scenic views of the Ohio River and is home to murals that depict the town’s history.
- Tu-Endie-Wei State Park: Placed right where the Ohio and Kanawha rivers meet, this historical park commemorates the 1774 Battle of Point Pleasant. You can visit the Point Pleasant Battlefield Monument, marking one of the first major battles between Native Americans and European settlers.
- The Lowe Hotel: This historic hotel, built in 1901, is right across the street from the Mothman Museum. It’s a great stop for those interested in ghost stories and local lore. Oh, and it is said to be haunted.
- Point Pleasant River Museum and Learning Center: This museum offers exhibits on the history of the Ohio and Kanawha rivers, including river navigation, steamboats, and local wildlife.
- The West Virginia State Farm Museum: Located a short drive from downtown, this museum showcases rural life with historic buildings, farming equipment, and even live animals during certain events.
For an even more complete experience, we recommend planning your visit during the annual Mothman Festival, held every September. The museum plays a central role in the celebrations, and it’s the best time to catch all the Mothman action in one place.
Special Events
In 2020, the museum expanded and added more space to showcase rare artifacts (like police reports, original newspaper clippings, and eyewitness accounts from 1966). These additions help keep the museum fresh and engaging—we know we’ll be back for another visit.
Since 2024, the Mothman Museum has been part of the newly launched West Virginia Paranormal Trail, which links haunted and paranormal sites across the state.
Other notable stops on the trail include:
- Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum: A Gothic-style former psychiatric hospital with a dark history, known for frequent paranormal investigations
- Lake Shawnee Abandoned Amusement Park: A creepy, deserted park where tragic events are said to have sparked paranormal activity.
- West Virginia Penitentiary: A former maximum-security prison, now a hotspot for ghost hunters and paranormal tours.
- Flatwoods Monster Museum: A museum dedicated to the famous 1952 Flatwoods Monster sighting.
- Blennerhassett Hotel: A historic and reportedly haunted hotel in Parkersburg, where visitors have claimed to experience ghostly apparitions.
Oh, and you can’t forget the locally brewed Mothman Root Beer. We grabbed a couple bottles from the gift shop—a perfect (and tasty) souvenir.
How to Get There
Getting to the Mothman Museum is a breeze. It’s located at 400 Main Street, Point Pleasant, West Virginia, right in the center of town. (Click to see it on Google Maps.)
If you’re traveling by car, Point Pleasant is easily accessible via U.S. Route 35, making it a quick stop if you’re driving through the Ohio River Valley. It’s also a short drive from neighboring states like Ohio and Kentucky and roughly an hour away from cities like Huntington, WV, and Athens, OH.
SpookySight Tip:
If you plan to visit during the Mothman Festival, be prepared for some road closures and detours—the crowds get big. Just enter the museum’s address into your GPS, and it’ll guide you straight to the entrance.
Should You Visit the Mothman Museum?
Absolutely! The Mothman Museum is more than just a quirky roadside attraction—it’s the only museum dedicated 100% to one of the most mysterious North American cryptids.
With affordable prices, engaging exhibits, and its recent inclusion in the Paranormal Trail, the museum continues to grow as an unmissable experience. So, if you’re curious about the strange and unexplained, Point Pleasant is calling your name!
