REMEMBERING TIRELESS HISTORIAN DAVID MCKAIN - Author "Where It All Began" Oil/Gas History

(05/16/2026)

One of the regions best known historians and museum curators, David McKain of Parkersburg has passed at the age of 80. 2014 McKain, a tireless researcher of the oil and gas history of the Little Kanawha region, published a number of books, including "Where It All Began," which more recently was development into a WV-PSC film about Burning Springs. A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, 1341 Juliana St., Parkersburg, with the Rev. Michael Seely officiating. He also authored "The Civil War And Northwestern Virginia" McKain made years of efforts to correct history that the nation's oil and gas history actually started in the Little Kanawha region. He was the developer of the Oil and Gas Museum, the Burning Springs oil and gas park, and the Henderson Museum. "He spent all kinds of hours, even through the night, required little sleep, developing the Oil and Gas Museum and Henderson Hall to what they are today as tourist attractions," says Paul Hoblitzell, Co-Director of the Oil and Gas Museum. "He was very interested in getting people to know the history of the oil and gas industry, and the Civil War history of this area," says Jim Miracle, local historian. Read about McKain's stalwart efforts and projects: BURNING SPRINGS OIL HISTORY SLIPPED HISTORY BOOKS

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