Randall Reid-Smith
Cabinet Secretary
West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture & History
In May we will celebrate the music, preservation, and traditions of the Mountain State. A new exhibit is on display at the Culture Center, celebrating 50 years of GOLDENSEAL Magazine, the magazine of West Virginia Traditional Life. GOLDENSEAL is produced by the WVDACH and takes its stories from the recollections of West Virginians living throughout the state. Oral history fieldwork and documentary photography result in four issues per year with articles on subjects such as labor history, folklore, music, farming, religion, traditional crafts, food, and politics. The exhibit will be on display through October 2024. At the end of the month and hosted every Memorial Day weekend on the State Capitol grounds, join us for the annual Vandalia Gathering, which has brought together the finest traditional Appalachian musicians for a great weekend of picking since 1977 and is free to the public. Enjoy fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and guitar contests outside during the day, and concerts in the State Theater in the evenings, as well as arts and crafts, traditional dancing, the liars contest, and food vendors! May is also Historic Preservation Month, and the State Historic Preservation Office will have some informational handouts available about the preservation of historic buildings, sites, historic districts, etc. around the Mountain State, while Grave Creek Mound in Moundsville will offer a special lecture about Wheeling’s Historic 1400 Market Street Block Project and a special craft activity at the museum’s Discovery Table. We hope you enjoy all this month has to offer!
Learn MoreMUSEUMS
The West Virginia State Museums features locations at the Culture Center, Grave Creek Archaeological Complex, Camp Washington Carver, and Independence Hall.
RECORDS & DATABASES
Whether researching your family lineage or looking for information on the history of West Virginia, the Archives and History website is the premier on-line resource.
GRANTS
Every year the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History give out millions of dollars in grants. Check out grant opportunities in Arts, Historic Preservation, or Record Management.
Featured Event
Recent News
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04/30/2024
Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex Celebrates Historic Preservation Month as well as Gardening Season in May
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04/29/2024
Twenty-Four Teams of West Virginia Eighth Graders to Compete in 15th Annual West Virginia History Bowl Finals at the Culture Center on Tuesday, April 30
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04/26/2024
SHPO Day of Service and Remembrance Grants Applications Deadline Extended
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04/26/2024
Department of Arts, Culture and History Now Accepting Submissions for the Inspired: West Virginia Historic Buildings and Structures Juried Art Exhibition
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04/25/2024
Department of Arts, Culture and History Celebrates 50 Years of GOLDENSEAL Magazine with New Exhibit Opening