History
is being
torn down
The National Park Service plans to tear down historic structures in Thurmond, the last intact railroad boomtown in the New River Gorge, starting November 2026.
Preservation Thurmond is fighting to stop it.
A town is not a museum exhibit. It's a place people still belong to.
Preservation Thurmond is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded to stop the demolition of Thurmond's historic structures and secure the town's long-term future through preservation, adaptive reuse, and economic development, not by fighting the National Park Service's mission, but by solving the problem it says it has: structures it can no longer afford to maintain.
Three ways we're racing the clock
Legal & regulatory pressure
FOIA requests, Section 106 consultation, and support for the Town of Thurmond's legal action to hold NPS to its own preservation obligations.
A leasing pipeline
Connecting NPS with vetted private lessees ready to rehabilitate structures instead of losing them.
Political & public pressure
Engaging Congress, historical societies, and the public before the window to act closes.
Documentation
Compiling the public comment record and NPS's own files so the decision gets made in daylight.
Four structures can still be saved through leasing
Under NPS's Finding of No Significant Impact, these structures will be demolished unless a viable lease proposal is received first.
- Tom Kelly HouseSave by lease
- Dun Glen ArkRetained
- Dun Glen Boat Storage RackSave by lease
- Dun Glen Mini ArkSave by lease
The structures slated for demolition
These 13 historic structures are designated for demolition under NPS’s Finding of No Significant Impact, with no lease currently planned. Tap a photo to enlarge it.
Demolished unless leased
These three structures can still be saved if NPS receives a viable lease proposal.
Photos of the Harold Smith House, Sidney Allen Ward House, James Humphrey Sr. House and Prince Brothers General Store: Preservation Thurmond. All other photos: National Park Service, Proposed Demolition of Historic Structures Revised Environmental Assessment (April 2025).
Sign the Petition of Support
We, the concerned citizens and supporters of Thurmond, West Virginia, and the surrounding New River Gorge community, urge Senator Capito’s office to help open a conversation with the National Park Service about preserving and revitalizing Thurmond’s historic structures — rather than demolishing them — in a way that creates jobs and supports economic growth in Fayette County.Sign the Petition
It takes about a minute. Your name is shared only as part of the petition; your email and phone number are never published. Adding your email is optional and lets us send you updates.
Help us keep Thurmond standing
Your gift funds the legal work, the FOIA requests, and the outreach that's buying Thurmond time.
Give to Preservation Thurmond