Culture

West Virginia culture is a captivating blend of rich Appalachian traditions and vibrant high culture infused with the jazz of surrounding U.S. cities like Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. The state is renowned for its deep-rooted Appalachian heritage, which is showcased through folk music, storytelling, and traditional crafts such as quilting and woodcarving. Visitors can experience this authentic culture at local festivals and heritage museums throughout the Mountain State. At the same time, West Virginia also embraces high culture, with world-class performances at the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, acclaimed theater productions at the Greenbrier Valley Theatre, and art exhibitions at the Huntington Museum of Art. This unique mix of mountain traditions and refined artistic offerings makes West Virginia a true cultural gem in the heart of Appalachia.

Renowned Country music singer Kathy Mattea will return to West Virginia to host Mountain Stage.

W.Va. native Mattea named new host of Mountain Stage

National Public Radio and West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Mountain Stage today announced that West Virginia native Kathy Mattea will take over as the new host starting September 9. Mattea, a two-time Grammy winner from Cross Lanes, West Virginia, has performed on the world-renowned show hosted in Charleston, West Virginia, more than any other female artist, second only to … Read more

A peach tree flowers in a yard near Pineville, West Virginia, in central Wyoming County.

W.Va. State U. initiates tree art contest for isolated children

West Virginia State University is celebrating Arbor Day with a Facebook-based art project designed to encourage children isolated by the COVID-19 outbreak to create tree-themed posters. Hosted by the university’s extension service, “ABCs of Trees” online art project is open to children ages 3 to 18, and participating is simple, says extension agent Liz Moss. … Read more