About Us

We were founded in 1988 in Lost River, West Virginia. In the past 20 years we have grown to nearly 100 active members who work to preserve heritage arts and crafts, as well as teach the public about the value of handmade objects. Many examples of our artisans' work are available for purchase in our marketing center, located in the renovated 150-year-old Harper Barn in Lost River. Please visit our Members' page to learn more about some of our artisans. If you are interested in joining the Cooperative, we invite you to visit our Membership page. If you have additional questions, please contact us for information.

In 1994, we established the Lost River Educational Foundation to instill in the public (particularly youngsters) an appreciation of our heritage and the craftsmanship developed and used by the settlers of the mountains and valleys of the West Virginia Highlands and the Appalachians.

In 1998 the foundation established the Lost River Museum in the lower level of the Harper Barn. There, more than 1500 square feet are devoted to exhibits depicting life in West Virginia's Lost River Valley over the past 200 years.