Local groups with an interest in history or genealogy are invited to participate in the 11th West Virginia History Day on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007, 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ethnic groups and families with an interest in West Virginia’s history are invited to provide exhibits featuring historical documents, photographs, artifacts and publications.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 Dec. 31. Nominations also may be hand-delivered to the Archives and History Library at the Cultural Center in the State Capitol Complex by the deadline. Applications from groups interested in setting up displays on history-related projects are due by Jan. 15, 2007.
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.
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Ginny Painter
Deputy Commissioner
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