West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture & History

Spring is officially here, and April is a great month to visit the sites of the Department of Arts, Culture and History. Get out and enjoy the weather while taking in the sights of Grave Creek Mound in Moundsville. Walk around the 2,000-year-old Adena burial mound and visit the interpretive garden. Take a trip to WV Independence Hall in Wheeling to see the Francis Pierpont statue and the Soldiers and Sailors monument on the grounds, then step inside to see 14 original Civil War battle flags. And finally, make your way to Charleston to see the Culture Center, located on the State Capitol Complex. The complex is beautiful this time of year with the flowers in bloom and the numerous native trees decorating the grounds. Join us at the Culture Center as we host some exciting youth competitions and events and cheer on the students competing. The 2024 Academic Showdown is Tuesday, April 23, and this quiz-bowl style competition focuses on general knowledge topics, while the annual History Bowl competition, Tuesday, April 30, challenges 8th graders on their knowledge of West Virginia history, and on April 26, come support students while they perform during Arts Alive. The Culture Center is also home to the State Dance Festival, April 19, 20, and 21. We hope to see you soon!