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.
Scheduled for the weekend of Jan. 19-21, the annual Winter Wonder Weekend this year at North Bend State Park will feature hiking, crafts, and activities—all with a 1960s theme. Emily Fleming, deputy director of the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources, which sponsors the annual event, said the 1960s was an exciting decade in Ritchie County … Read more
On January 1, 1853, the first train arrived in Wheeling, West Virginia, (then Virginia) on the newly completed Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, the first rail line linking the Atlantic seaboard with the Ohio River. The event was groundbreaking—not only for what would become northern West Virginia, but for the nation. For more than a quarter … Read more
Nationally known songwriters Jim Ritchey and Kelly Hunt will host the third annual retreat for songwriters at Twin Falls Resort State Park Nov. 10-12. The workshop is designed for songwriters of all levels but will be particularly helpful for those who already have written and need help perfecting their craft. Participants need not play an instrument, … Read more
Southern West Virginia’s rich history is celebrated annually through winning photographs featured in the 2017 Hidden History photo exhibit now on display in Logan. According to Jodi French-Burr, organizer of the competition, the historically based photographs by West Virginia photographers are on display at the Country Roads Visitor Center in Logan. First displayed at Tamarack, … Read more
PARKERSBURG, W.Va.—For two nights in October visitors to Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park can experience the candle-lit world of 1805 and attend a period-accurate party during the park’s popular Mansion-by-Candlelight event. On Oct. 13-14, the event will capture the magic of the island’s historic setting with hundreds of candles lighting the way to the its … Read more
Scientists working with the remote National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia, have detected repeating radio signals being emitted from a dwarf galaxy three billion light-years away. Astronomers dedicated to finding signs of intelligent alien life recorded 15 repeating fast radio bursts on August 26, according to an August 30 Newsweek article. The … Read more
The 55th annual Mountain State Art & Craft Fair—recently selected among America’s best 100 craft fairs—has been scheduled Sept. 15-17 at the Cedar Lakes Conference Center near Ripley, West Virginia. More than 100 artisans and 20 food and drink vendors attend the celebration of art, food, music and culture—an event that is actually five fairs … Read more
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 … Read more
A marker proposed to commemorate a lost chapter in black history in West Virginia will reach visitors the New River Gorge region, according to the director of a local history museum. Jean Evansmore, of DuBois on Main, in Mount Hope, West Virginia, says the marker created with the help of historian Hailey Horn will pay … Read more
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park on June 24 will honor pianist Barry Harris and bassist Rufus Reid during the sixteenth annual Don Redman Jazz Heritage Awards & Concert at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. One of the most significant jazz pianists of the late 20th century, Harris made his first recording in 1958. Born and raised … Read more
