9/8/04
The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History (WVDCH) has announced plans to build a facility to house the state’s archaeological collections. The new facility will be constructed over the next two years at Grave Creek Mound Archaeology Complex in Moundsville.
According to Troy O. Body, WVDCH commissioner, the new one-story, 9,000-square-foot wing will be added to the northeast corner of the complex’s museum. In addition to a state-of-the-art collections storage area, Body said the new facility will feature conservation labs for curators and a study area for researchers. Currently, there are no state or federal repositories in West Virginia suitable for storing archaeological materials.
“This new wing at Grave Creek will address the urgent need for a facility to properly store the state’s archaeological collections,” said Body. “We have an obligation to protect these priceless artifacts for future generations, and have carefully planned the new addition to accommodate both the current collection and its anticipated growth over the next 20 years.”
The West Virginia Legislature has allocated $2.1 million for the collections facility, which is slated for completion in 2006.
A meeting to unveil the plans for the new facility will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16, at Grave Creek Mound Archaeology Complex, 801 Jefferson Ave., Moundsville. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information about the archaeological collections facility at Grave Creek Mound Archaeology Complex contact Dee DeRoche at (304) 843-4128.
Operated by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, Grave Creek Mound Archaeology Complex features one of the largest and most famous burial mounds built by the prehistoric Adena people. A massive undertaking, construction of the mound took place in successive stages from about 250-150 B.C., and required the movement of more than 60,000 tons of earth. Exhibits and displays in the complex’s museum interpret what is known about the lives of these prehistoric people and the construction of the mound. Museum hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.
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. Visit the Division’s website at www.wvculture.org for more information about programs of the Division. The Department of Arts, Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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Ginny Painter
Deputy Commissioner/Communications Manager
West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History
The Cultural Center
1900 Kanawha Blvd., East
Charleston, WV 25305
Phone (304) 558-0220, ext. 120
Fax (304) 558-2779
Email ginny.painter@wvculture.org