Federal funding for arts and culture has been curtailed. Trey Kay looks at the reasons in the latest Us & Them. Also, the state board of education has approved another round of school closures and consolidations, the state Legislature is expected to take up several bills in the coming session to address foster care and children who are homeless, and U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was laid to rest Tuesday at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton.
Historic, Inspirational Murals To Adorn State Capitol Rotunda
The Mural that was previewed to the public in April. Courtesy of the Governor's Office
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The scaffolding is up and artistic work is beginning on the first two of eight murals set to cover parts of the Capitol dome and rotunda.
Joining Gov. Jim Justice in his weekly media briefing, Secretary of West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture & History Randall Reid-Smith said architect Cass Gilbert’s original plan from the state Capitol’s dedication in 1932 included a mural display.
“There was actually no money at that time,” Reid-Smith said. “Of course, we had the Depression, and there was no extra money to do these things. There were 18 governors, 19 if you count Underwood twice, and we never got this done, and I really appreciate you doing this.”
Reid-Smith said the murals will be allegorical, interpreting liberty, justice, commerce and education – as well as historical, depicting Harpers Ferry in 1859, the Battle of Philippi, an arts celebration at Seneca Rocks and an historic state compilation.
The State Seal is depicted in a mural.
Photo Credit: WV Governor’s Office
“It will be an interpretation of the state seal,” Reid-Smith said. “In this you’ll see Abraham Lincoln and Arthur I. Borman, Francis Pierpont, and you’ll see scenes of Wheeling and Charleston.”
The murals will be installed at the third floor level of the Rotunda. The installation process will be phased, with four lunettes (semi-circular spaces above doorways) being completed first, followed by four pendentives (curved triangular sections supporting a dome).
In a press release from Justice, a detailed construction schedule was laid out to ensure the work is completed efficiently and with minimal disruption to the public.
Construction Schedule:
April 1: Installation begins with the “Battle of Philippi Bridge” and “State Seal” lunettes.
June 3: Installation continues with the “Shivaree of Seneca Rock” and “Harpers Ferry 1859” lunettes.
Aug. 5: Work begins on the first two pendentives.
Sept. 16: Work continues on the remaining two pendentives.
Nov. 12: Scaffolding dismantled and removed from the site.
Reid-Smith said the first two of the murals will be dedicated on June 20, West Virginia’s 161st birthday.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of November 2024.
For some Americans, this year’s political earthquakes hit close to home. Trey Kay reflects on federal budget cuts, the elimination of programs and agencies and the resulting layoffs of hundreds of thousands of workers. 2025 was also a year highlighting escalated immigration enforcement, and the deployment of National Guard troops in U.S. cities. One of those missions resulted in the tragic loss of a West Virginia National Guard soldier. On this end-of-year episode of Us & Them, we examine how today’s culture-war battles are reshaping the nation’s foundation.
Federal funding for arts and culture has been curtailed. Trey Kay looks at the reasons in the latest Us & Them. Also, the state board of education has approved another round of school closures and consolidations, the state Legislature is expected to take up several bills in the coming session to address foster care and children who are homeless, and U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was laid to rest Tuesday at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton.
