Travel Destinations: The World's Only Mothman Museum
The West Virginia folklore of the Mothman is one of the most popular urban legend "monsters" in the United States. Some of the first documented sightings of this monster occurred from November 15, 1966, to December 15, 1967, in the Point Pleasant area.
Then in 1970, writer Gray Barker introduced the Mothman to a larger audience, and then in 1975 popularized by the book "The Mothman Prophecies" by John Keel. His book claimed that the collapse of the Silver Bridge in 1967 could have been related to the Mothman. And in 2002, the book was made into a movie featuring Richard Gere.
The 12-foot tall statue of the Mothman is located right outside of the Mothman Museum.
Even with Mothman terrorizing teens and adults over the years and the sightings at the bridge's collapse, the town has its annual Mothman Festival, which started in 2002. The following year, artist and sculptor Bob Roach of New Haven, West Virginia, erected a 12-foot metallic statue of the Mothman. According to event organizer Jeff Wamsley, the annual event brings 10-12 thousand visitors to the small riverfront town.
A plaque at the base of the statue has the following engraved.
"On a chilly, fall night in November 1966, two young couples drove into the TNT area north of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, when they realized they were not alone.
What they saw that night has evolved into one of the great mysteries of all time; hence the Mothman Legacy began. It has grown into a phenomenon known all over the world by millions of curious people asking questions: What really happened? What did these people see? Has it been seen since?
It still sparks the world's curiosity – the mystery behind Point Pleasant, West Virginia's MOTHMAN."
Right beyond the current train bridge is where the Silver Bridge once stood.
The Mothman Museum, located at 400 Main Street, features a museum with newspaper clippings and memorabilia and has an admission cost of $4.50 for adults and $1.50 for children.
The store features the most extensive collection of Mothman souvenirs worldwide. You'll find anything from clothing, posters, socks, plush figures, magnets, books, keychains and even Mothman coffee (which we purchased and is a good blend).
Museum hours are Monday-Thursday, 10 am – 5 pm; Friday-Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm; Sunday, 12 pm – 5 pm.