Nov 30, 2021EducationEntrepreneurshipEnvironmentCase Study

Heritage Farm celebrates 25th anniversary

Heritage Farm, in Huntington, West Virginia, is celebrating its 25th anniversary showcasing Appalachian Ingenuity and Adventure in a big way with the addition of dual racing ziplines, two multi-level challenge towers, and thanks to the support of the Wing 2 Wing foundation, multiple family-friendly mountain biking trails.

“The Farm”, as it is lovingly called by its loyal visitors, is 800 acres dedicated to the hope and renewal of the Appalachian region. 25 years ago, Mike and Henriella Perry established Heritage Farm as a collection of museums and log/historical structures (such as cabins, an 1850 church, a schoolhouse, and blacksmith forge), that told the story of our proud past and of the resilient and impressive people who settled here years ago.

Now a Smithsonian Affiliate, Heritage Farm is a celebration of the cultural history of Appalachia, inspiring visiting schoolchildren, tourists, and locals to think about the amazing people that came before them and to harness that same ingenuity within them for the good of our future. In the past four years, Audy M. Perry Jr., (son of Mike and Henriella), his wife, Laura Perry, and his daughter, Rebekah Perry Franks, along with many other dedicated employees of The Farm, have been working to expand that focus on cultural history to also include the amazing natural history of Appalachia as well.

With the anticipated addition of the family-friendly mountain biking trails, visitors of all ages and skill levels will be able to experience the thrills of adventuring through the Appalachian forest while also learning about the value of spending time outdoors, growing their self-confidence through completing a challenge, appreciating the beauty of the woodland biodiversity, and encouraging them to dream for the bright future.

The mission of Heritage Farm is to be a destination of hope and renewal for Appalachia; partnered with the mission of Wing 2 Wing to connect education, the environment and entrepreneurism, we can accomplish bold and powerful things for this region.

The mission of Heritage Farm is to be a destination of hope and renewal for Appalachia; partnered with the mission of Wing 2 Wing to connect education, the environment and entrepreneurism, we can accomplish bold and powerful things for this region. The new Heritage Farm Mountain Bike Park will take visitors on a terrain-induced roller coaster experience that alleviates much of the typical pedaling or braking otherwise required so that entire families can enjoy the experience together. Bikers will be driven to the top of the Mountain via a chauffeured UTV ride (the “Holler Hauler”) and then set free to coast downhill through the beautiful Appalachian forest on trails of varying skill levels. Come ride with us in the heart of Appalachia, beginning Spring 2022!