The history and prehistory of West Virginia reveal a fascinating journey from ancient Native American cultures to its role in America’s story. Prehistoric sites, such as the Grave Creek Mound, showcase the region’s mound-building cultures that left behind impressive burial mounds and earthworks. Later, European settlers ventured into the rugged Appalachian Mountains, forging frontier communities and thriving amidst challenging terrain. During the American Civil War, West Virginia famously seceded from Virginia to remain loyal to the Union, becoming the 35th state in 1863. Coal mining played a vital role in shaping West Virginia’s economy and identity, fueling America’s industrial growth and leaving a lasting legacy in the state’s communities and culture. Today, visitors can explore historic towns, Civil War battlefields, and preserved pioneer homesteads that tell the rich, enduring story of West Virginia’s resilient spirit and deep mountain roots.
The tale of the Green-Harrison Tragedy is among the most enduring legends handed down from the settlement of the lower Kanawha Valley region of West Virginia. As far as most sources are concerned, in 1813 settlers Charles Green and Alexander Harrison died while hunting bear on the upper waters of Eighteenmile Creek in Putnam County, West Virginia, … Read more
A pioneering team of scholars who are dating old log structures in West Virginia has discovered rare, previously undocumented examples of log construction and a mysterious lack of early cabins. Dr. Kristen de Graauw, of the Historic Timbers Project, says she and research partner Shawn Cockrell have notably found two extraordinary diamond-notched structures, of which, … Read more
SANDSTONE, W.Va. — Native inhabitants of what would become West Virginia were preparing in late summer for the onslaught of winter — the subject of a September 5 program at the National Park Service’s Sandstone Visitor Center off I-64. The 10 a.m.-4 p.m. interactive program is free and open to the public and will feature reenactors renowned … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Throughout this publication, you’ll see West Virginia abbreviated in two ways: “WV” and “W.Va.” This is intentional. We follow journalistic guidelines that emphasize clarity, even if it means using different forms depending on context. Which abbreviation for West Virginia is correct? According to official style guides for American English, “W.Va.” remains the … Read more
It’s an argument as old as West Virginia itself — is West Virginia a northern state or a southern state? Let us know what you think. Vote here. [poll=”2″] Stay tuned for our North-South article On May 8, 2014, we’ll present the opinions of geographers, historians, social scientists, and include various other comments we’ve … Read more
John Brown wasn’t the only abolitionist to make history in West Virginia. While Brown launched his raid at Harpers Ferry in 1859 to arm slaves, Eli Thayer established his colony “Ceredo” in 1857 to peacably demonstrate the efficiency of free labor. Author and historian Kenneth Bailey will discuss the history of Ceredo, West Virginia, at … Read more
How has West Virginia changed over the last 150 years? Three counties in the southern state had yet to be created and two had yet to be added to the Eastern Panhandle when Augustus Mitchell produced this 1863 map of Virginia and West Virginia. But far more change comes to light when one examines the map … Read more
Burial mounds, mysterious carvings, inexplicable stone walls — relics of the prehistoric past are found throughout West Virginia, but perhaps too few people know of them, and West Virginia Explorer would like to change that. This week we’ll launch an eight-month initiative to locate every protected public landmark of native and prehistoric origin and publish … Read more
