West Virginia Division of Culture and History Story Archives - Page 2 of 4

April 26, 1937: West Virginia's First Historical Marker Placed

On April 26, 1937, West Virginia’s first highway historical marker was installed in Charleston, detailing the history of our state capitol.

In that first year, 440 sites were marked by these white aluminum signs, which feature a circular state seal at the top. Initial funding was provided by one of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs.

After the early flurry of activity, the highway marker program waned until the centennial of the Civil War and West Virginia statehood in the 1960s. Existing markers were inventoried, damaged and missing markers were replaced, and nearly 300 additional sites were selected. Since that time, new markers have been added yearly, as funds permit, to commemorate more recent events or topics that may have been missed in the past.

Today, the roadside markers program is operated by the Archives and History Section of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, with the cooperation of the Division of Highways. New markers are approved by the Archives and History Commission.

Some 1,000 markers are scattered along roadsides across West Virginia, marking significant historical events, prehistoric sites, and geological and natural features.

History, Genealogy Groups Gathering at Capitol

Dozens of groups interested in history or genealogy are expected at the State Capitol Complex in Charleston next week.

The West Virginia Division of Culture and History says some 60 local groups will gather for the 21st West Virginia History Day on March 9.

The agency says the groups will provide displays and exhibits featuring historical documents, photographs, artifacts and publications.

All activities are free and open to the public. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Some West Virginia Museums Suspend Admission for Saturday

West Virginia Division of Culture and History’s four sites are offering free admission on Saturday.

The event is part of Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day, and other museums around the state and in other states also are participating. For more information and to download a ticket, visit http://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday .

The Division of Culture and History’s four sites will offer special activities for visitors, all free and open to the public. Hours for all four are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The sites are the West Virginia State Museum, Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex, West Virginia Independence Hall and Museum in the Park.

West Virginia History Goes Digital

The West Virginia State Museum unveiled its Elementary Edition of West Virginia A Digital Primer. The online resource, two and a half years in the making, covers grades K-5 social studies West Virginia History Standards. The site provides interactive content for students and teachers.

Nancy Herholdt , Education Manager in the Museum was thrilled to get the project launched. “Where there was no text that met our needs, teachers and others have collaborated to produce a resource that answers those needs.” Partners in the project include West Virginia: Division of Culture and History, the Department of Education, the Library Commission and Public Broadcasting. Included in the resource are primary source documents, lesson plans, videos and the interactive maps.

Today, Yvonne Martin, one of the teachers who contributed to the primer brought her students to the museum to give the primer a test drive. Yvonne loves the museum and all it has to offer. “I can teach each of my standards, it is such a rich opportunity.” Today Yvonnes’ students were accompanied by their “grandfriends” in celebration of Grandparents day. Everyone was busy putting counties in place and finding our fun facts.

WVPB is excited to be a part of the project. We have linked the Digital Primer to West Virginia LearningMedia. We are proud to provide a link to this resource for West Virginians. Additionally, we are also providing this resource on a National Platform so it is there for others from around North America to search for information about West Virginia.

A Secondary Edition is in the works. We look forward to its completion.-

Nancy Herholdt, Museum Education Manager

Chief Logan State Park Wildflower Hike is April 16

Wildflower enthusiasts and West Virginia Division of Natural Resources personnel will guide hikers through some of the trails at Chief Logan State Park during an event later this month.

The park has 14 trails, and the West Virginia Division of Culture and History says the Sue Browning Wildflower Hike next Saturday will offer different paths for hikers to choose from, depending on their experience and endurance level.

The hike is named for a longtime member of the Logan Garden Club who helped establish the hike 33 years ago. It’s free and open to the public. To register, contact Jill Stone at (304) 792-7125 or jill.d.stone@wv.gov or call Museum in the Park at (304) 792-7229.

West Virginia Dance Festival to be Held in April

Application deadlines are approaching for the 2016 West Virginia State Dance Festival.

The West Virginia Division of Culture and History says Jan. 4 is the deadline for dance director applications. The deadline for dance directors to submit student applications is Jan. 11. Scholarship applications are due Jan. 15.

The division says it will only accept student applications from directors affiliated with full-time dance establishments in the state.

Dancers must be at least 12 years old. They also must have at least one year of training in classical ballet with two lessons per week.

Adjudication DVDS must be submitted by Feb. 12. Adjudications are scheduled for Feb. 26-28.

The festival will be held April 15-17 at the Culture Center at the Capitol Complex in Charleston.