• Where is Summersville located?
    • Summersville is a small city in Nicholas County, located in the mountains of West Virginia, near the beautiful Summersville Lake, the largest lake in the state.
  • What historical significance does Summersville have?
    • Summersville is the site of the famous Carnifex Ferry Battle of the American Civil War, now preserved as a Battlefield State Park.
  • Are there wineries in Summersville?
    • Kirkwood Winery was the first vineyard established in a valley north of Summersville.
  • What diving opportunities are available in Summersville?
    • Sarge's Dive Shop is a scuba diving business offering diving instructions, equipment sales and rentals, charters, and excursions on the beautiful Summersville Lake.
  • What events and facilities are available in Summersville?
    • The Summersville Arena & Conference Center is a multi-use facility for a range of events and is part of the Summersville Readiness Center.

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1. Summersville Lake

Summersville Lake

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  • What is Summersville Lake?
    • Summersville Lake is a reservoir located in West Virginia near Summersville, formed as a result of building a rock-fill Summersville Dam completed in 1968 on the Gauley River.
  • How large is Summersville Lake?
    • With 2,700 acres of water, it is the largest lake in West Virginia.
  • What are the lake’s dimensions?
    • It has more than 60 miles of shoreline at the summer water level and a maximum depth of 327 feet.
  • Why was the lake constructed?
    • The lake was constructed to control flooding and for hydroelectric power generation.
  • What recreational activities are available?
    • It also serves as a recreation area for fishing, boating, rock climbing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. There is a small boat intentionally sunk in the lake to give divers an opportunity for wreck diving.

2. Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park

Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park

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  • What is Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park?
  • Where is the battle site located?
    • The battle site is located on the edge of the Gauley River Canyon near Summersville, Nicholas County, West Virginia.
  • What does the park include?
    • The 156-acre park includes the Patterson House Museum, spectacular views of the Gauley River, a network of hiking trails, and picnic facilities.
  • How historic is the park?
    • It is one of the oldest state parks in the country.
  • Does the park host events?
    • The park rangers organize a Civil War reenactment on a weekend after Labor Day.
  • Is the park part of a larger historical trail?
    • The park is part of the Civil War Discovery Trail, which links about 300 historical sites in 16 states.
  • Where is the park located?
    • 1194 Carnifex Ferry Crossing, Summersville, WV 26651, Phone: 304-872-0825

3. Kirkwood Winery

Kirkwood Winery

© Kirkwood Winery

  • What is Kirkwood Winery?
    • Kirkwood Winery was the first vineyard established in a rural valley three miles north of Summersville, West Virginia.
  • Who founded the vineyard and when?
    • The vineyard was planted by Rodney Facemire and his sons in the spring of 1984.
  • How large is the vineyard and how much does it produce?
    • It now consists of over six acres of land that produce 40 tons of grapes every year.
  • What other fruits are grown at the vineyard?
    • The orchards that already existed on the farm were expanded and now grow blackberry, raspberry, and blueberry fields and a rhubarb patch.
  • What traditional equipment is still in use?
    • The old family oak press has been used since the beginning.
  • How much wine does the winery produce annually?
    • Harvests now yield more than 4,000 gallons of wine every year, used to produce over 30 different varieties of French Hybrid American varietal, mead, vegetable, and other fruit wines.
  • Are tours and tastings available?
    • Tours and tasting of the Vineyards, Winery, and Isaiah Morgan Distillery are offered throughout the week.
  • Where is Kirkwood Winery located?
    • 45 Winery Rd, Summersville, WV 26651, Phone: 304-872-7332

4. Sarge's Dive Shop

Sarge's Dive Shop

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  • What is Sarge's Dive Shop?
    • Sarge's Dive Shop is a scuba diving business located on Summersville Lake, known as The Little Bahamas of the East.
  • Who owns and operates Sarge’s Dive Shop?
    • Owned and operated by two skilled divers, Mark T. Allen and Eric Allen, Sarge’s Dive Shop is the oldest dive shop in West Virginia and has been helping locals and visitors discover Summersville Lake for more than 40 years.
  • Where is the shop located?
    • The shop is located in Summersville Lake Marina and can be reached by car or boat.
  • What services does Sarge’s Dive Shop offer?
    • The shop offers diving training, charters, and equipment.
  • What kind of training is provided?
    • Highly trained instructors provide certification and training in all scuba diving aspects.
  • Does the shop sell or rent scuba gear?
    • The shop sells and rents name-brand scuba gear.
  • What other activities are available?
    • The shop also offers dinner cruises, lake tours, scuba and swimming charters, and kayak and paddleboard rentals on Summersville Lake.
  • Where is Sarge’s Dive Shop located?
    • 1706 Airport Rd, Summersville, WV 26651, Phone: 304-872-1782

5. Summersville Arena and Conference Center

Summersville Arena and Conference Center

© Summersville Arena and Conference Center

  • What is the Summersville Arena and Conference Center?
  • What are the main facilities included?
    • The Summersville Arena & Conference Center includes a 24,000 square foot arena and a 3,715 square foot conference center.
  • What types of events can the arena accommodate?
    • The arena can be used for a range of events, including conferences, trainings, meetings, and trade shows. It can also host sporting events.
  • How many guests can the arena accommodate?
    • The retractable bleachers can accommodate 2,400 guests.
  • What features make it suitable for sporting events?
    • The portable hardwood basketball floor provides the perfect space for basketball tournaments.
  • Can the arena be transformed for special events?
    • The arena can be easily transformed into a beautiful ballroom with chandeliers, ceiling drapes, and hanging lights for wedding receptions and banquets.
  • What are the features of the conference center?
    • The conference center can be broken into six conference rooms with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, free Wifi, and other conference amenities.
  • Is catering available for events?
    • In-house catering is available for events of any size.
  • Where is the Summersville Arena and Conference Center located?
    • 3 Armory Way, Summersville, WV 26651, Phone: 304-872-3722

6. Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park

Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park

© Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park

  • What is Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park?
    • Just off Route 19 is the 47-acre park called the Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park. It is dedicated to the brave men and women from Nicholas County who served the country faithfully and bravely.
  • Where is the memorial located within the park?
    • The memorial is nestled within a peaceful and serene green space that offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy.
  • What activities are available for active visitors?
    • Active visitors can enjoy a walking trail, cabins for rest, as well as camping areas.
  • What sports facilities does the park offer?
    • Sports enthusiasts can capitalize on the park’s baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, a large field for open area sports, and even a pool.
  • Are there picnic areas available?
    • Three picnic shelters are available at the park and can be reserved through the park office ahead of time.
  • Where is Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park located?
    • 19 Memorial Park Road, Suite B, Summersville, West Virginia 26651; Phone: 304-872-3552

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