West Virginia Division of Culture and History

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.

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


Click here for our searchable Events calendar.