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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.

Queen Store in West Virginia
Culture

Alliance seeks funds to support three W.Va. preservation organizations

by David Sibray

The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia is seeking contributions to help support three state historical-development organizations for which funding has been cut or is in decline.Donations, which may be processed online (below), will match funds required to employ AmeriCorps members that support the three organizations, providing each member a modest living allowance during his or … Read more

Memphis Tennessee Garrison House
Culture

Foundation to establish black history museum in Huntington

by Katie Johns

The Huntington home of one of West Virginia’s pioneer black educators and civil-rights activists is being developed as a museum, according to officials at the Carter G. Woodson Memorial Foundation. The former home of Memphis Tennessee Garrison at 1702 10th Avenue has been stablized since being purchased in 2007, and foundation members are now seeking … Read more

Hitchhikers at WVU, c. 1970s
Culture

New podcast series revisits gruesome murder of WVU co-eds

by David Sibray

Even after half a century, new information is coming to light regarding the gruesome murders of two hitch-hiking students who disappeared from the campus of West Virginia University in 1970.Morgantown-based Kromatic Media today announced the release of the first three podcasts in the series “Mared and Karen: The WVU Coed Murders,” which explores the kidnapping, murder, and … Read more

Wendy Perrone cares for raptors
Culture

Birds of Prey summer program returns to W.Va. State Parks

by Will Reedy

Three Rivers Avian Center will present its popular “Wings of Wonder – Birds of Prey” program at 12 West Virginia state parks in summer 2017, introducing audiences across the Mountain State to live birds of prey.The avian center’s programs have been park favorites for more than 20 years, said Sissie Summers of the Parks and Recreation Section of the … Read more

Vandalia Gathering 2017
Culture

More than 25,000 expected to attend Vandalia 2017

by David Sibray

An estimated 25,000 are expected to turn out this weekend to celebrate regional culture at the West Virginia capitol during the 41st annual Vandalia Gathering in Charleston.The Mountain State’s annual celebration of traditional arts, the free festival’s blend of ethnic and mountain heritage has earned it a reputation as one of the region’s hallmark events.The 2017 … Read more

Buzz about the Celebrate Princeton! Street Fair is growing
Culture

Princeton street fair growing in attendance, set for June 10

by David Sibray

Set for June 10, the Celebrate Princeton! Street Fair in Princeton, West Virginia, continues to grow in attendance, attracting thousands of visitors to the community’s historic Mercer Street district annually, according to organizer Lori McKinney.This year the 10 a.m.-5 p.m. event presented by the Princeton Renaissance Project will feature performances by the Cirque-de-Vol Aerial Acrobatic … Read more