Novel Shares Story Of Historical Black Kingdom In Western North Carolina

Following the American Civil War, a group of freed people fled violence and bought land in Western North Carolina. In the summer of 1873, these people formed a Black communal society they named “The Kingdom of the Happy Land.” A new novel tells a story set in the kingdom, both in the past and in the present day. It’s titled, “Happy Land.” Host Mason Adams spoke with its author, Dolen Perkins-Valdez.

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Arts & Culture Jack Walker, Feb. 26, 2025

After Devastating Floods, Appalshop Archival Recovery Makes Steady Progress

Appalshop, an Appalachian arts and media hub based in Kentucky, faced archival damage during a devastating flooding incident in 2022. Now, the organization says restoration efforts have brought much of the archive back to life.

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Education Chris Schulz, Oct. 08, 2024

National Archivist Visit Highlights Importance Of History To Maintaining Democracy

The archivist is the head and chief administrator of the National Archives and Records Administration. Although Shogan is the 11th person to hold the position, she is the first woman to do so.

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Arts & Culture WVPB Staff, Oct. 08, 2024

Record-Keeping And Democracy, Plus Billy Edd Wheeler's Legacy, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, record-keeping might sound dull, but it’s an important part of maintaining a sense of culture and place. As Chris Schulz reports, a recent visit from a federal record-keeper to West Virginia emphasized the importance of records in maintaining our democracy.

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Arts & Culture Jack Walker, Mar. 12, 2024

New Exhibit Brings W.Va. Coal Mining History To Nation’s Capital

From March 16 to July 6, the National Archives will display a new exhibit entitled “Power & Light: Russell Lee's Coal Survey.” It features more than 200 photographs taken by documentary photographer Russell Lee.

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Top Stories David Adkins, May. 02, 2022

Marshall Students Launch Digital Archive For Forgotten Appalachian Writer

Students studying Digital Humanities at Marshall University build archive for historical documents relating to forgotten writer, Tom Kromer.

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WVPB News Liz McCormick, Apr. 29, 2016

Sen. Robert C. Byrd Traveling Exhibit Opens to the Public

The exhibit titled, "Robert C. Byrd: Senator, Statesman, West Virginian," is a two-year, traveling exhibit featuring the life and legacy of U.S. Senator…

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