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The mission of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History is to identify, preserve, protect, promote and present the ideas, arts and artifacts of West Virginia’s heritage, building pride in our past accomplishments and confidence in our future.


Welcome from Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith.

Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith

February is Black History Month. At the Culture Center, we recognize the accomplishments and heritage of our state’s African American community with programs that provide perspectives on the subject.

Our Archives and History Lecture series includes a program on J.R.Clifford and his ground-breaking Carrie Williams case that helped bring equality to African American education. On February 10 at 7 p.m. we will feature “A Principled Man: Reverend Leon Sullivan” in the theater, and on February 19 at 3 p.m., join us to learn more about the PBS film documentary “Hawks Nest: Blood Beneath Our Feet.”

In the Culture Center Great Hall, you may see the winners of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission poster contest and an exhibit featuring some of the state’s leading African Americans.

If you cannot visit in person, we have two special online exhibits. For historic resources and biographies, visit the West Virginia Archives and History website at www.wvculture.org/history/africanamericans.html. For a selection of African-American resources listed in the National Register of Historic Places, visit the State Historic Preservation website at www.wvculture.org/SHPO/2012BHM.html.

Join us as we celebrate our heritage, culture and people throughout the year around the state.

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Current and Upcoming Events At the Culture Center

Balcony Gallery Theater Gallery Great Hall Commissioners Gallery
January 10 – February 13, 2012
Uncommon Vernacular: The Early Houses of Jefferson
County, WV 1735-1835
January 3 – May 6, 2012
Chemical Center of the World
April 20, 2012
The Story of West Virginia Statehood
February 21 – August 26, 2012
Inspired: Portraits of Historic West Virginia Figures(6pm)
February 27 – April 1, 2012
Congressional Art Competition (Feb 28 @ 1:30)
May 21 – September 23, 2012
West Virginia’s Oil and Gas Industry
April 21, 2012
A. James Manchin Memorial Marble Tournament
September 10, 2012– January 2, 2013
Inspired Series Juried Award Winners
April 16 – July 1, 2012
2011 West Virginia Juried Exhibition
October 9 – February 10, 2013
Styles of the Time: Women’s Outerwear
May 25 – September 4, 2012
West Virginia Juried Quilt Exhibition
January 14 – October, 2013
The Commissioner Presents Three Artists (event Jan. 24)
July 11 – September 3, 2012
Two Artists on the Balcony 
February 25 – June 2, 2013
Selections from the Treasures
June 20, 2012
West Virginia’s 149th Birthday Celebration
80th Anniversary of the State Capitol Exhibition
Capitol History Hallway
September 17 – November 11, 2012
Calligraphy Guild of Charleston and Huntington (6pm)
June 20, 2013 – June 20, 2014
West Virginia at 150
November 21 – January 21, 2013
Adults and Children at Play
  June 20, 2013
A Capitol Celebration of  150 Years
 
February 4 - June 9, 2013
West Virginia Biennial Juried Award Winners
     
June 20, 2013
West Virginia at 150
     
     
     
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Nominations being accepted for Governor’s Arts Awards  

Culture Center to present lectures, films, television show and Web page with links to National Register nomination sites related to black history in February  

Martin Luther King, Jr. West Virginia Holiday Commission presented awards during annual celebration  

Nominations sought for 2012 Governor’s Arts Awards 

Historic Preservation development grants available 

West Virginia Independence Hall to host Jan. 29 reception to celebrate restoration of courtroom walls and ceiling to original 1859 condition  

New exhibit highlighting the history of Kanawha Valley’s chemical industry to open Jan. 22 at the Culture Center at the Capitol Complex  

State Historic Preservation Office publishes 13-month calendar 

West Virginia Division of Culture and History seeking entries for juried “Portraits of Historic West Virginia Figures” exhibit  

New historic characters to guide visitors at West Virginia Independence Hall 

Arts Day at the State Capitol to be held on Feb. 27, 2012 

$2,000 to $20,000 grants available to help arts organizations, history museums improve, update facilities 

Grave Creek Mound in Moundsville to open “Ron Hinkle Glass” exhibit July 26 

State Historic Preservation Annual Work Program for 2012 announced and public comment sought 

Sixteen middle school teams enjoyed the competition at the Culture Center Moorefield Middle School wins top honors at West Virginia State History Bowl  

State Historic Preservation Office to present historic landmark commission workshop on May 21  

Robert C. Byrd Courthouse features Selections from West Virginia State Museum’s Art Collection on exhibit through June 24, 2011  

Genealogy Club meeting set for May 12 in Archives and History Library  

West Virginia Division of Culture and History seeking entries for juried “West Virginia Wildlife” art exhibition  

West Virginia State Museum to introduce monthly Sesquicentennial Mondays program on March 7  

Historic Preservation survey and planning grants available 

Year 2011 State Historic Preservation Annual Work Program announced and public comment sought  

Archives and History to introduce new on-line exhibit “Battleground West Virginia: Electing the President in 1960” on May 4  

West Virginia Division of Culture and History to launch new logo identifier and name for its Charleston location 

Blair Mountain information 

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