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.
Every year for more than a decade West Virginia Explorer contributor Blair Frier has documented the Dublin Irish Festival in Dublin, Ohio, through exceptional photography. Though dedicated to promoting fairs and festivals in West Virginia, we annually feature the results of his excursion as a speciall feature.Dublin (Ohio) Irish Festival — August 2014Photographer Blair Frier … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — More than 1,500 spectators are anticipated to attend a three-day concert that opens a new festival ground in the New River Gorge June 5-7. The first Mountain Music Festival at ACE Adventure Resort is expected to increase traffic throughout the resort and should help ignite interest in the region as a music … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Set to open with an inaugural concert June 6-7, the new 12,500-capacity festival ground at ACE Adventure Resort has been designed as a focus for outdoor venues for the New River Gorge region. Hosting its first Mountain Music Festival, the festival ground and stage is intended to support year-round programming on a … 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
The roar of motorcycles is already reverberating in the Tug Valley of southwestern West Virginia, into which more than 15,000 motorcycle enthusiasts are expected to descend May 1-4 during its third annual Rally in the Valley. Organizers say winding back-roads and a singular landscape have helped make the celebration so successful — perhaps more successful … 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
HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — Harpers Ferry National Historical Park this weekend hosts a two-day commemorative event exploring the 1864 recruiting party held there for the newly established U.S. Colored Troops only five years after John Brown’s raid and attempt to free and arm slaves. “Desperate Courage: Raising a New Army of United States Colored Troops” will … Read more
OAK HILL, W.Va. — Now in its eleventh year, the annual trail maintenance weekend at ACE Adventure Resort on April 26-27 is attracting more participants than ever, in large part because the event has become a tradition, officials say. Sixty-six volunteers and counting are signed up to prep the trails for another season of hiking, biking, … Read more
