CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia will celebrate West Virginia Day and the 163rd anniversary of its statehood on June 20 with free tours, family activities, a statewide quilt unveiling, and complimentary hot dogs and birthday cake at the State Capitol Complex in Charleston.
Hosted by the W.Va. Department of Tourism, the annual West Virginia Day celebration honors the state’s admission to the Union on June 20, 1863, during the Civil War. The free event offers residents and visitors a chance to explore the state’s history while enjoying activities throughout the Capitol grounds and the Culture Center.
Visitors can participate in a scavenger hunt at the West Virginia State Museum from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Educational activities will be offered in the Museum Education Room at the Culture Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guided tours of the Capitol will also be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., departing from the Capitol Rotunda.
A highlight of the West Virginia Day celebration will be the unveiling of West Virginia’s official Semiquincentennial Quilt at noon in the Great Hall of the Culture Center. Created by quilters from communities across the Mountain State, the quilt commemorates West Virginia’s contributions to the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026.
Following the unveiling, guests can enjoy complimentary West Virginia hot dogs, lemonade, and birthday cake from noon to 2 p.m., while supplies last.
West Virginia Day commemorates one of the most significant events in the state’s history. Formed when western counties of Virginia chose to remain loyal to the Union during the Civil War, West Virginia became the nation’s 35th state on June 20, 1863. The annual observance celebrates the state’s heritage, culture, and unique place in American history.
The West Virginia Day event is free and open to the public. Free parking will be available in the State Capitol Parking Garage and at Laidley Field.
How West Virginia became a state during the Civil War
West Virginia is the only state in the nation formed by seceding from a Confederate state during the Civil War. Its creation stemmed from deep political, economic, and geographic differences between the mountainous western counties of Virginia and the plantation-dominated eastern region.
When Virginia voted to secede from the United States in April 1861, many residents of the western counties opposed secession. Delegates from these counties gathered in Wheeling and established a Unionist government known as the Restored Government of Virginia, which claimed to represent the state’s loyal citizens.
Regional leaders soon proposed creating a separate state. After months of debate and a series of public votes, the proposal was approved and submitted to Congress. Lawmakers in Washington agreed to admit the new state after provisions were added to gradually abolish slavery.
President Abraham Lincoln signed the statehood bill on Dec. 31, 1862. Less than six months later, on June 20, 1863, West Virginia officially entered the Union as the nation’s 35th state.
The new state initially consisted of 50 counties, with several more added during and after the war. Today, West Virginia Day is observed each June 20 to commemorate the state’s unique birth during one of the most turbulent periods in American history and to celebrate the heritage and independence that continue to define the Mountain State.
Five things not everyone knows about West Virginia
As West Virginia celebrates another year of statehood, many residents and visitors may be surprised by the facts that make the Mountain State unique.
- West Virginia is often called the Mountain State because it is the only state entirely within the Appalachian Mountain region. More than 75 percent of its land is covered by forests, making it one of the nation’s most heavily wooded states.
- The state is home to the nation’s newest national park, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Established in 2020, the park protects one of North America’s oldest rivers and has become a major destination for hiking, rafting, climbing, and scenic travel.
- West Virginia also boasts remarkable engineering achievements. The New River Gorge Bridge was once the world’s longest single-arch steel bridge and remains one of the state’s most recognizable landmarks. Each year, thousands gather beneath it for Bridge Day, one of the world’s largest extreme-sports festivals.
- The state has long been associated with coal mining, timber, railroads, and natural gas production, industries that helped fuel America’s industrial growth. Today, tourism has become an increasingly important part of the economy as travelers seek out the state’s mountains, rivers, small towns, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
- West Virginia is also known for its rich cultural traditions, including bluegrass music, Appalachian crafts, storytelling, and community festivals. From the hills of the Potomac Highlands to the valleys of the Ohio River, these traditions continue to shape the state’s identity more than 160 years after statehood.
Together, these natural wonders, historic landmarks, and cultural traditions help explain why West Virginia remains one of the most distinctive states in the Appalachian region.
West Virginia Day wasn’t always a state holiday
Although West Virginia became a state on June 20, 1863, West Virginia Day did not become an official state holiday until 1927—64 years later. Before then, communities celebrated the anniversary with local ceremonies, patriotic events, and historical programs. Today, June 20 is recognized as a legal state holiday across West Virginia.