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Cody Straley

A frequent contributor to West Virginia Explorer, Steven Cody Straley is a West Virginia historian, writer, and preservationist known for his work documenting the Mountain State’s cultural and architectural history. A native of Wayne County, he serves as the National Register and Architectural Survey Coordinator for the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office, where he helps preserve historically significant sites across the state. Straley holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from Marshall University and has written extensively on West Virginia history, Civil War memory, and Appalachian heritage. He is also the author of works on regional history and frequently shares historical research and commentary through public talks and social media. He can be reached at codystraley@gmail.com.
Historian and West Virginia Explorer correspondent Cody Straley stands before the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston, whose clean lines and imposing Brutalist design have made it one of the state's most recognizable public buildings since opening in 1976.
Landmarks / Museums

The W.Va. Culture Center at 50: The story behind one of the state’s great public treasures

by Cody Straley

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — July marks not only the 250th anniversary of American independence but also the 50th anniversary of a modern Mountain State masterpiece—the West Virginia Culture Center. This deceptively simple, large, gray, boxy, stone-clad building in Charleston houses some of the state’s most important cultural treasures. From museum exhibits and valuable documents to educational … Read more

Inspired by historian Cody Straley, publisher David Sibray visits a small Mail Pouch barn on US-119 off the Elk River near Blue Creek.
Landmarks / Museums

West Virginia originals, historic Mail Pouch barns added to national register

by Cody Straley

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Authentically West Virginian, Mail Pouch barns are gaining national attention. Now, three roadside barns in West Virginia, painted with the slogan “Chew Mail Pouch,” have been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The  Owners of Mail Pouch barns have access to financing and technical support for maintenance. (Photo courtesy Cody Straley)[/caption] … Read more

Bethel Memorial Park Cemetery
Attractions

Community revives one of West Virginia’s long-neglected Black cemeteries

by Cody Straley

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Every year around Veterans Day, Professor Josh Keck leads his Mountwest Community and Technical College students and other volunteers on a cleanup at Huntington’s forgotten cemetery. There are several prominent burial grounds within the city, including Spring Hill Cemetery and Woodmere Memorial Park. The one Keck brings his volunteers to, however, is … Read more

West Virginia Explorer editor David Sibray visits the new Warwood National Historic District at Wheeling, West Virginia.
Attractions

Biggest Yet! Warwood becomes West Virginia’s largest historic district

by Cody Straley

WHEELING, W.Va. — In a landmark moment for historic preservation, the Warwood Historic District in northern Wheeling has officially become the largest area in West Virginia ever nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. This condensed, working-class neighborhood, which comprises a whopping 1,214 individual buildings and structures, surpasses the previous record holder, the nearby … Read more

Capitol Market In Charleston West Virginia
Attractions

W.Va. celebrates record number of National Register nominations

by Cody Straley

CHARLESTON. W.Va. — Two-thousand-twenty-four has proven record-breaking for historic preservation in West Virginia. Twenty sites, buildings, and districts were nominated to the National Register of Historic Places—the highest number in 18 years. The listings cover a wide range of historic resources in the state—from farms and cemeteries to monuments and African American sites. According to … Read more