March 5, 2010
History enthusiasts gathered on Thursday, February 18, in the Norman L. Fagan West Virginia State Theater of the Culture Center for the awards ceremony that kicked off a successful day of celebrating West Virginia history. Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History was assisted by Dr. Robert S. Conte, chairman, and Dr. Charles Ledbetter, vice chairman of the West Virginia Archives and History Commission, in presenting History Hero awards to 44 individuals from around the state for their grassroots-level contributions to the preservation, promotion and perpetuation of the state’s rich history. City, county and state historical, preservation and genealogical groups and museums provided nominations for the awards. A complete list of this year’s recipients, with a brief explanation of their contributions and a link to high resolution photographs, is available at http://www.wvculture.org/history/hisher2010.html. If there is not a link to a recipient’s name for the photograph, that person was unable to attend and did not have someone accepting on their behalf.
Throughout the day, the State Capitol Rotunda was filled with exhibitors and re-enactors all eager to share their enthusiasm for the history of the state. The 14th History Day was a joint effort of the West Virginia Archives and History Commission, Mining Your History Foundation, West Virginia Historical Society, West Virginia Humanities Council, West Virginia Division of Culture and History, Friends of West Virginia Culture and History, Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, Inc., and West Virginia Association of Museums.
Next year’s event is scheduled for Thursday, February 24, 2011. For more information about History Day or the History Hero awards, contact Joseph N. Geiger Jr., director of archives and history for the Division, at (304) 558-0230, ext. 165.
The West Virginia Division of Culture and History, an agency of the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts, brings together the state’s past, present and future through programs and services in the areas of archives and history, the arts, historic preservation and museums. Its administrative offices are located at the Culture Center in the State Capitol Complex in Charleston, which also houses the state archives and state museum. The Culture Center is West Virginia’s official showcase for the arts. The agency also operates a network of museums and historic sites across the state. For more information about the Division’s programs, visit www.wvculture.org. The Division of Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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