Local groups with an interest in history or genealogy are invited to participate
in the ninth West Virginia History Day on Thursday, March 17, 2005, at the State
Capitol Complex during the regular session of the West Virginia Legislature.
Local historical groups are expected to provide displays and reenactments in
the Rotunda of the State Capitol. Historians, genealogists, educators, preservationists,
veterans, fraternal organizations, librarians, ethnic groups and families with
an interest in West Virginia’s history are invited to provide exhibits
featuring historical documents, photographs, artifacts and publications. Other
attractions will include reenactments of events in the state’s history,
music, storytelling, and a ceremony honoring citizens from across the state
who have made contributions to the history of West Virginia.
At an awards ceremony in the State Theater of the Cultural Center, “History
Hero” awards will be presented to people who have made significant grass-roots
contributions to the preservation of local or regional history. Local historical,
genealogical, preservation, museum, patriotic and other similar groups are encouraged
to provide nominations for the awards. Authorized by the legislature, West Virginia
History Day commemorates local groups’ efforts to preserve, protect and
promote the study of the Mountain State’s past. The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History joins the Archives and History Commission, West Virginia
Historical Society, West Virginia Historical Association, Preservation Alliance
Inc., West Virginia Association of Museums and the Mining Your History Foundation
as organizers of this year’s events. All West Virginia History Day events
are free and open to the public.
History Hero nominations must be postmarked by Jan. 21, 2005. Nominations also
may be hand-delivered to the Archives and History Library at the Cultural Center
by Jan. 24, 2005. For information about exhibiting or to request a History Hero
nomination form, call (304) 558-0230.
The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, an agency of the West Virginia
Department of Arts, Culture and History, brings together the state’s past,
present and future through programs and services in the areas of archives and
history, the arts, historic preservation and museums. For more information about
the agency’s programs, visit www.wvculture.org. The Department of Arts, Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.