Golden Horseshoe Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

State’s Best Birthday Cake, Punch Highlight West Virginia Day Celebration

West Virginia’s 160th birthday celebration is set to begin at noon on Tuesday, June 20 at the Culture Center on the State Capitol campus.

The first 160 people to arrive will receive a limited edition commemorative gift handmade by artisans with the Black Locust Woodshop in Charleston.

Gov. Jim Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice will greet guests, followed by special performances by West Virginia musicians.

They will announce the winner of the West Virginia Birthday Punch Contest, for the best original (non-alcoholic) punch recipe, with the winning recipe being served at the celebration.

The official birthday cake of West Virginia, “Ms. Van’s Blackberry Skillet Cake” by Kim Wymer of Scott Depot, will be served at the reception.

The day will also feature a Golden Horseshoe reunion, open to all former recipients of the Golden Horseshoe award in recognition of their knowledge of West Virginia history.

At 2 p.m. the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History will host the 2nd annual History Bowl Legends Tournament, where past participants come together as All-Star teams to compete for bragging rights.

How To Watch:

For those unable to attend in-person, the West Virginia Day ceremonies will be broadcast live on the West Virginia Channel.

To find your station, click here (use column labeled “WV Channel”).

The ceremonies will also be live streamed online. All West Virginians are encouraged to watch on the following platforms:

2023 Golden Horseshoes Awarded At Culture Center

Since 1931, the state has bestowed the Golden Horseshoe award on at least two eighth graders from each county with the greatest knowledge of West Virginia history.

The West Virginia Department of Education awarded the Golden Horseshoe to 226 students from all 55 counties, the state’s public charter schools and the School for the Deaf and Blind in a ceremony at the West Virginia Culture Center June 13.

Since 1931, the state has bestowed the award to at least two eighth graders from each county with the greatest knowledge of West Virginia history. West Virginia Studies is a required subject for all eighth graders in the state.

Dustin Lambert is state social studies coordinator for the West Virginia Department of Education.

“Every county at the base gets two winners, and then additional winners are awarded to the counties based upon the eighth grade population,” he said. “So for example, obviously, Kanawha County is going to have the most winners because they have the highest population of eighth grade students.”

In 92 years, more than 15,000 West Virginian students have been awarded the Golden Horseshoe. Lambert said the award still holds great meaning for many former winners.

“I had a 90 year old guy from Washington State call three years ago, and he had won a Golden Horseshoe. He was so incredibly proud of this Golden Horseshoe to the point that his family was actually fighting over his Golden Horseshoe pin in his will that he was writing,” Lambert said. “It’s very significant. I think it’s something that these students will take with them, they’ll have a story to tell, they’ll have something to share for a lifetime.”

Beyond the award’s prestige, Lambert said it highlights the continued importance of history to today’s students.

“Despite what folks may believe, our students are interested, and they’re passionate about history, and I think that you really see that in this competition,” he said.

Lambert said those curious to test their own knowledge can try the Question of the Day on the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History website.

“Our question bank is under very strict security,” he said. “A lot of times I get questions from parents, or even teachers about how students can prepare for the Golden Horseshoe, and I always direct them to the West Virginia Culture website.”

Sept. 5, 1716 – Virginia Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood Reaches Allegheny Mountains Crest

On September 5, 1716, Virginia Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood and about 50 men reached the crest of the Allegheny Mountains, likely in present Pendleton County, and claimed the land for King George the First of Great Britain.

Spotswood and his men—described as “gentlemen, servants, Indians, and rangers”—journeyed up the Rappahannock River and crossed over the Blue Ridge Mountains into the Shenandoah Valley. Robert Brooke, a member of the expedition and the king’s surveyor general, made the first scientific observations west of the Alleghenies.

Within a year of the expedition, some of the first English settlements were established in the Shenandoah Valley, with possibly one at present Shepherdstown. Spotswood hoped these settlements would prevent the French and Indians from expanding into the region.

After reaching the crest of the Alleghenies, Spotswood gave each of his fellow adventurers a small golden horseshoe—some set with valuable stones—to commemorate the event. They are remembered as the “Knights of the Golden Horseshoe.”

In honor of the expedition, West Virginia schools, beginning in the 1930s, began presenting golden horseshoes annually to students who excel in West Virginia studies.

W.Va. Golden Horseshoe Ceremony Set for Friday

More than 220 eighth graders are being honored as winners of the Golden Horseshoe Award for their knowledge of West Virginia history and culture.

A ceremony is set for Friday at the state Culture Center in Charleston to recognize the top-scoring students in each county.

The first Golden Horseshoe ceremony was held in 1931. The award’s name comes from golden horseshoes that Virginia Gov. Alexander Spotswood gave to a party of about 50 men who explored land west of the Allegheny Mountains in the early 1700s.

The Golden Horseshoe test has been administered in West Virginia each year since 1931 and is the longest running program of its kind in the United State. The top-scoring students in each county receive the prestigious award.

West Virginia Golden Horseshoe Winners Honored

Nearly 230 eighth graders have been honored as winners of the Golden Horseshoe Award for their knowledge of West Virginia history and culture.

A ceremony was held Thursday at the state Culture Center in Charleston. Students from all 55 counties participated.

Retiring state schools Superintendent Jim Phares says as a former history teacher, he was honored to join in the ceremony.

The first Golden Horseshoe ceremony was held in 1931. The award’s name comes from golden horseshoes that Virginia Gov. Alexander Spotswood gave to a party of about 50 men who explored land west of the Allegheny Mountains in the early 1700s.