J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works Tour — Malden, West Virginia

Discover the J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works Tour in West Virginia

Located in Malden, West Virginia, along the Kanawha River, the J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works Tour offers visitors a guided look at one of America’s last remaining traditional solar salt producers. This heritage-based production tour explores how natural brine is pumped from ancient underground seas and slowly evaporated to create hand-harvested Appalachian salt.

Guests walk through the evaporation greenhouse structures, learn about brine sourcing, and discover how this historic salt operation has been revived for modern culinary use.

Why it’s special: The J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works Tour revives a 19th-century salt-making tradition using natural brine and solar evaporation, making it one of the most unique artisanal food production tours in the United States.

History & Story of J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works

Salt production in Malden dates back to the early 1800s, when the Kanawha Valley was a major salt-producing region. The original J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works was founded in 1817 and became a cornerstone of West Virginia’s early industrial economy.

After decades of inactivity, descendants of the Dickinson family revived the operation in 2013, restoring historic techniques while modernizing production to meet contemporary food safety standards.

What You’ll See & Do on the J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works Tour

• Learn how natural brine is pumped from underground reservoirs
• Walk through solar evaporation greenhouse structures
• Observe salt crystallization and harvesting processes
• Discover the history of salt production in the Kanawha Valley
• Participate in guided salt tastings

Hands-On Elements: Guided tasting of artisan salts; production equipment is observation-only.

Photo/Video Policy: Photography is permitted in public tour areas.

Souvenirs & Extras: On-site shop offering hand-harvested salt, caramel products, cocktail salts, and culinary gift items.

Pricing of the J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works Tour

Adult price: $15 per adult

Advance reservations are typically required for guided tours.

Visiting information for J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works Tour

Duration: 60–90 minutes

Age limits: All ages welcome

Accessibility: Outdoor walking tour; some uneven terrain and greenhouse flooring

Working Hours: Saturday 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Sunday–Friday Closed (public tour hours)

Tours operate seasonally and by scheduled appointment.

Nearby attractions to J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works Tour

• Kanawha State Forest
• West Virginia State Capitol (Charleston)
• Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences

FAQs About Visiting the J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works Tour

Is this salt made from ocean water?
No. The salt is made from natural underground brine sourced from an ancient inland sea beneath the Kanawha Valley.

How is the salt harvested?
Brine is pumped into shallow greenhouse trays where solar evaporation leaves behind salt crystals that are hand-harvested.

Is the original 19th-century salt operation still intact?
The historic legacy remains, but the modern operation was revived in 2013 using updated food-safe production methods.

Are tastings included in the tour?
Yes. Visitors typically sample different varieties of the artisan salt products.

Is this close to Charleston, West Virginia?
Yes. Malden is located just east of Charleston, making it an easy short drive from the state capital.