West Virginia history Story Archives - Page 4 of 4 - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

NPS Hosts Guided Hikes in Southern W.Va. for Holiday Weekend

The National Park Service is offering Ranger-Guided hikes in Summers and Fayette Counties this holiday weekend. All ranger programs are free unless otherwise noted. The NPS suggests hikers wear comfortable walking shoes. Hikers might also consider bringing water, snacks, camera and binoculars Below is a list of this weekend’s featured ranger programs:

In Summers County, interested hikers should meet at the base of Pipestem Resort State Park tramway at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2014. From there rangers will guide two hikes:

Bluestone Walk

Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am.
This two mile total walk within the Bluestone National Scenic River provides sights of flora and fauna of the area and regional history. Hikers should bring $2.00 for the return tram ride.

Bluestone Turnpike Hike

10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
This 10 mile walk along the Bluestone Turnpike Trail explore the beauty and diversity of this remote area The trail runs along the Bluestone River to Bluestone State Park. A free shuttle will be provided for the return trip to Pipestem State Park. NPS says hikers should wear sturdy hiking shoes, bring lunch, and plenty of water. To make requested reservations call 304-466-0417.

In Fayette County, interested hikers can meet at the Thurmond Depot Visitor Center both Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6 at 11:00 a.m.

Historic Thurmond Tour

11:00 am – 12:00 pm.
This half mile walk is an informal of one of the New River Gorge’s most renowned towns, Thurmond. Rangers will explain the history behind this once bustling railroad town, hearing stories of days gone by.

For more information about area National Park Service sites, stop by any New River Gorge National River visitor center or the NPS website.

Game Show Features West Virginia Music and History

As part of FestivALL, the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame is hosting a game show called “West Virginia Squares.” Based on the popular “Hollywood Squares” game show, “West Virginia Squares” will feature questions about West Virginia music and history.

The show will be hosted by Peter Marshall, the original host of the show and a proud West Virginia native. Shows will be taped at 7 and 8:30 p.m. on June 23 and again on June 24.

The show will be streamed live on West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Youtube page. It will also be available right here on wvpublic.org.

The celebrity squares will feature notable West Virginia natives including: Wheeling native Joyce DeWitt (Janet Wood on the TV show “Three’s Company”); 2008 WVMHoF inductees Charlie McCoy and Billy Edd Wheeler; “America’s Got Talent” winner Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.; Tony Award winner Michael Cerveris; Miss West Virginia Charisse Hailsop; Donnie Davisson (Davisson Brothers); “Chasing Nashville” star Autumn Blair; five-time winner of the WV Liar’s Contest Bil Lepp; Charleston Mayor Danny Jones; “Mountain Stage” host Larry Groce; and radio personality Steve Bishop.

West Virginia Squares contestants will include winners of the 2014 West Virginia Golden Horseshoe Award.

Tickets are free but on a first-come basis.

Watch the 2014 West Virginia History Bowl

Teams of 8th grade students from around West Virginia faced off Tuesday in an academic bowl competition that focused on West Virginia history, literature, arts, architecture, geography and culture.

The questions for the history bowl are largely drawn from questions found in the Archives and History Quick Quizzes and Daily Trivia.

To learn more about the West Virginia History Bowl, check out the 2011 West Virginia Legacy program on the tournament from the West Virginia Library Commission Library Television Network.

You can watch the entire competition below. Click here for the full results.

For more information about the History Bowl, contact Matt McGrew at Matt.McGrew@wv.gov or (304) 558-0230.

For more information, visit the Official West Virginia History Bowl website.

W.Va. Courthouses are Living Monuments to Democracy

The Wood County Courthouse, the Wetzel County Courthouse and the Kanawha County Courthouse look strikingly similar. Each are tan stone block buildings…

The Wood County Courthouse, the Wetzel County Courthouse and the Kanawha County Courthouse look strikingly similar. Each are tan stone block buildings with deep red roofs built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style popular in the 1890’s and 1910’s when they were designed and constructed. That’s just one thing you’ll learn when browsing through the pictures of a new book about West Virginia’s courthouses. “West Virginia’s Living Monuments: The Courthouses” is a product of the West Virginia Association of Counties and was just published this year.

“West Virginia’s Living Monuments: The Courthouses” was published in 2013 by the W.Va. Association of Counties.

“West Virginia’s Living Monuments: The Courthouses” was written by Debra and Richard Warmuth and is published by Black Tie Press of Cincinnati, Ohio.

You Can Make History Alive!

The West Virginia Humanities Council is seeking applications from individuals interested in portraying historical figures with statewide name recognition for the Council’s popular History Alive! program. Portrayals of historically significant people no longer living, from any period of history, are eligible for consideration. For people with an interest in history, theater, or both, History Alive! offers a meaningful opportunity to expand those pursuits while helping to enlighten and educate West Virginians.

History Alive! characters are researched thoroughly by the presenters who portray them. First-person sources such as letters, journals, speeches, official papers, autobiographies, and other archival materials are required research to develop the presentations. Each year History Alive! presentations are given at schools, libraries, civic groups, museums, parks, historical societies, and a wide range of public gatherings across West Virginia.

The application deadline is February 1, 2014. Proposals are limited to two potential characters per applicant. Composite characters, legends, or mythical figures will not be considered. Potential presenters must also pass an audition before being added to the History Alive! roster. Selected presenters will join the History Alive! program beginning November 1, 2014, for a minimum two-year period.

Those interested in applying should contact Humanities Council program officer Mark Payne at 304-346-8500 or payne@wvhumanities.org to request application materials.