Thomas, West Virginia

Subject: Thomas, West Virginia
From: CET
Date: 05 Aug 07 - 11:33 AM

I am sitting in the Purple Fiddle in Thomas (named after one of my long lost ancestors, perhaps), West Virginia, a cafe with great coffee, micro brewery beer, and free internet so I could not resist posting to Mudcat! It seems to be bluegrass heaven, with live music every day. Charmion and I were just on a drive through the mountains, before registering for Vocal Week at the Augusta Heritage Centre and just happened on this place. This place was totally unexpected - the perfect start to our holiday.

Has anybody been here?

Edmund

Subject: RE: Thomas, West Virginia
From: Padre
Date: 05 Aug 07 - 10:13 PM

I lived in Thomas in the summer of 1969, when I worked as a ranger-naturalist at Blackwater Falls State Park in nearby Davis. At the time, about the only places in town to go for a drink were the VFW and the American Legion halls. A pretty little town, on the (then) Western Maryland Railway.

Padre

Subject: RE: Thomas, West Virginia
From: Kent Davis
Date: 05 Aug 07 - 10:31 PM

Was there maybe 20 years ago on the way to Blackwater Falls from Canaan Valley State Park. It's a beautiful area. I don't think the Purple Fiddle was there then. Sounds great.
Kent

Subject: RE: Thomas, West Virginia
From: Janie
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 12:24 AM

And here I am, born and raised in WV and I never even heard of the place! Think I best go google it.

Janie

Subject: RE: Thomas, West Virginia
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 12:41 AM

I've heard of the Purple Fiddle in Thomas. http://www.purplefiddle.com/ One of the great but obscure nearby folk venues. Sort of like Oddfella's in Floyd, Virginia.

I think some Mudcatters (gutbucketeer?) have even played there.

I've passed through Thomas frequently, but never stopped at the Purple Fiddle, probably because I'm trying to get to a destination farther South on US 219. The surrounding area is also home to the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center, a fascinating array of wind turbines, some quite close to the road. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Windturbines_thomas_WV.jpg)

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Thomas, West Virginia
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 05:36 PM

Haven't been to the Purple Fiddle but there was a nice article about in Goldenseal recently.

http://www.wvculture.org/goldenseal/

Goldenseal is a great little magazine. It is the only paper magazine I currently subscribe to.

Russ (Permanent GUEST and expat West Virginian)