A new small business in Buckhannon is helping residents and visitors slow down and see West Virginia through a more personal lens, one postcard at a time.
Falling Rock Postcard Co., founded by Buckhannon resident Tyler Boyd, creates postcards that highlight local places, historic sites and cultural stories across the Mountain State. The idea grew out of Boyd’s return to West Virginia after spending several years living elsewhere.
Coming home offered a fresh perspective. Boyd realized he had explored more of other countries than his own home state, which prompted him to begin traveling throughout West Virginia and rediscovering familiar places with new eyes. Along the way, he noticed something was missing.
“As I visited historic sites, museums and local attractions, I kept looking for postcards,” Boyd said. “Again and again, I was told they didn’t have any. Often, people would say visitors were always asking for them.”
That repeated experience sparked an idea. Boyd began imagining a business that could help local shops, museums and attractions offer simple, affordable postcards that reflect their unique stories and landscapes. What started as a personal journey to reconnect with West Virginia slowly developed into Falling Rock Postcard Co.
Rather than choosing a digital or mass-produced product, Boyd intentionally focused on postcards as a way to tell local stories.
“Digital media dominates our lives, but it can feel fleeting and impersonal,” he said. “Postcards slow us down. They invite us to notice where we are and share that experience in a tangible way.”
For Boyd, the business is closely tied to his own connection to Appalachia. Like many young people, he left the region after high school in search of new opportunities. Returning to Buckhannon helped him recognize what makes the area special.
“With every postcard I design, I find myself researching local stories, historic sites and community traditions,” Boyd said. “It’s given me a deeper appreciation for our region and the people who call it home.”
As Falling Rock Postcard Co. grows, Boyd hopes the postcards will be found in more local shops and visitor centers across West Virginia and throughout Appalachia. He also hopes they continue to serve as small works of art that preserve stories and connect people to the places they visit.
Falling Rock Postcard Co. postcards are currently available at several local businesses and cultural sites, including Moon Flower, Volume Bookshop and Studio, the Museum of American Glass in West Virginia, the Mountaineer Military Museum, Forever Snapshots and Wintergreen Farms.
Boyd is the owner and founder of Falling Rock Postcard Co., LLC. More information about the business can be found at www.fallingrockpostcardco.com.
