WV State Museum

June 20, 2009. An off season post that must be read.

Early in my political experience I was appointed to LOCEA, the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability by then Speaker of the House, Bob Kiss, of which my responsibility was to review and recommend any changes associated with education.

One project of note that came before the Commission was the new State History Museum, although not entirely new the museum had been around for more than 100 years when it was determined that a redesign was long overdue.

The design idea was different; create a show path as opposed to the present “find a state artifact and find a place for it.” What you previously had was a disoriented, disassociated mess, whereas, most artifacts lacked signage and relevance to the artifact next to it…of course there were exceptions. The log cabin, general store and 35 Star National flag where and remain some of our states’ prized possessions.

The design plan was simple; create a show path which displays objects in chronological order, beginning with the year 5000 BC and the evolution of coal. Pretty simple, so it would seem, but the project required in excess of $24 million dollars and gutting the present museum in order to make room for the new design.

While many eyebrows were raised with the estimated cost to the project, the design team of four soon went to work reevaluating the project and value engineering every inch of the 25,000 square foot space, which fortunately for all of us brought the project in under $17 million. 2002 marked the beginning of a very lengthy project that would not come to fruition until June 20, 2009 with the grand opening of the new State Museum.

Even if you are not a museum going person this show path of our state’s history is worth the walk, consisting of an 1/8 of a mile walk beginning with 5000 B.C. West Virginia and culminating in visual display of digital information and sights of West Virginia.

The museum walks you through our history creating an overall picture of our roots, our heritage and storied past and yes at times, a violent past. While the corner store, moonshine still, coal wars and military experience are vital to our past, State hood plays central to my museum experience. Perhaps, it’s because I am member of the legislature or maybe something simpler, perhaps it’s the pride I take in being a West Virginian. Either way, I delight in the experience the museum gives me and would strongly encourage anyone to visit the West Virginia State Museum.

What can you look forward to seeing during your visit to the museum? One can’t miss item is the 35 Star National Flag that was flown at Gettysburg during Lincolns Gettysburg Address in November of 1863. Just imagine, we were but a state for 5 months when Lincoln delivered,” Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal…” What more can I say?

Other artifacts of interest include; Daniel Boones Long rifle, the first journal of the House of Delegates, Philippi Covered Bridge, a coal mine, log cabin, log fort and over 3,000 additional artifacts and stories.

So I ask you, why stay home this weekend?

The WV State Museum is located in the Charleston Capitol Complex and is open Tuesday through Sunday. 9:00am -5:00pm Admission is free.