We the People
Benjamin Duvall-Irwin
Grafton Lacy and the Hammons Family: The ...

West Virginia’s famed old-time folk family, the Hammons, live in both the mythologies and histories of Appalachia. Through the Hammons and their music, we gain a peek into the history of Appalachian old-time music and its diverse sources. Burl and Currence learned many of their tunes from Black folk artists like Grafton Lacy from Braxton County. Lacy is no exception; Black artists have made founding contributions in the genre. Their role often remains untold, or in the case of Lacy, is sparsely mentioned in the stories of Appalachian folk music. The origins of old-time music, ranging from West Africa to the British Isles, come alive in between the lines of the music itself, where its hidden history becomes clear.

Grafton Lacy and the Hammons Family: The Multicultural Roots of Old-Time Music
Power of Place
Benjamin Duvall-Irwin
Paw Paw and its Apple Orchard Industry

By 1910 there were more than 150 orchards in Morgan and Hampshire counties. A 1919 census of orchards by the WV Department of Agriculture recorded eight orchards in Paw Paw, with a crop of 105,000 bushels. In 1940, the Consolidated Orchard Company constructed a modern packing plant with a capacity of 130,000 bushels, which grew to a capacity of 200,000+ bushels by 1963. On April 16, 1948 Consolidated Orchard hosted the dedication of the B&O Railroad “Paw Paw” Pullman car. B&O chose to honor “Paw Paw” because of the town’s importance as an apple producing center, and the prominence of Henry Miller, Jr as a producer, shipper, and apple authority.

Paw Paw and its Apple Orchard Industry
Power of Place
Benjamin Duvall-Irwin
Seneca Rocks: The Forest's First National ...

Today all can explore Seneca Rocks because it is public land that sits within the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, the first congressionally designated national recreation area established by the USDA Forest Service. Modern-day visitors to the Seneca Rocks Unit of the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area appreciate the unique amalgam of geological history, rich culture, and fruitful recreational opportunities. Although the rock face is wont to steal the spotlight, the diversity and wealth of culture associated with the area is equally - if not more - deserving of it.

Seneca Rocks: The Forest's First National Recreation Area
We the People
Benjamin Duvall-Irwin
Foundations of the Founding Fathers

The United States Constitution was drafted in 1787. While the Founding Fathers, former British subjects, rejected the British Parliament's model with its House of Lords and Commons, they were not entirely without inspiration. European governments offered little guidance for democracy at the time. However, existing models closer to home provided valuable insights. There are clear parallels between the Constitution and indigenous systems like the Great Law of Peace.

Foundations of the Founding Fathers
We the People
Benjamin Duvall-Irwin
Creating Culture in Thomas

Many towns in West Virginia experienced lightning-fast growth as they became a part of a network of railroads. These towns usually had abundant resources like coal or timber that provided jobs for the towns’ residents. Many towns were built by companies– employees of coal companies would live in houses owned by the company they worked for. However, this was not always the case. One town that was built by residents instead of a coal company is Thomas, West Virginia.

Creating Culture in Thomas

Grafton Lacy and the Hammons Family: The Multicultural Roots of Old-Time Music

Grafton Lacy and the Hammons Family: The Multicultural Roots of Old-Time Music

West Virginia’s famed old-time folk family, the Hammons, live in both the mythologies and histories of Appalachia. Through the Hammons and their music, we gain a peek into the history of Appalachian old-time music and its diverse sources. Burl and Currence learned many of their tunes from Black folk artists like Grafton Lacy from Braxton County. Lacy is no exception; Black artists have made founding contributions in the genre. Their role often remains untold, or in the case of Lacy, is sparsely mentioned in the stories of Appalachian folk music. The origins of old-time music, ranging from West Africa to the British Isles, come alive in between the lines of the music itself, where its hidden history becomes clear.

Paw Paw and its Apple Orchard Industry

Paw Paw and its Apple Orchard Industry

By 1910 there were more than 150 orchards in Morgan and Hampshire counties. A 1919 census of orchards by the WV Department of Agriculture recorded eight orchards in Paw Paw, with a crop of 105,000 bushels. In 1940, the Consolidated Orchard Company constructed a modern packing plant with a capacity of 130,000 bushels, which grew to a capacity of 200,000+ bushels by 1963. On April 16, 1948 Consolidated Orchard hosted the dedication of the B&O Railroad “Paw Paw” Pullman car. B&O chose to honor “Paw Paw” because of the town’s importance as an apple producing center, and the prominence of Henry Miller, Jr as a producer, shipper, and apple authority.

Seneca Rocks: The Forest's First National Recreation Area

Seneca Rocks: The Forest's First National Recreation Area

Today all can explore Seneca Rocks because it is public land that sits within the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, the first congressionally designated national recreation area established by the USDA Forest Service. Modern-day visitors to the Seneca Rocks Unit of the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area appreciate the unique amalgam of geological history, rich culture, and fruitful recreational opportunities. Although the rock face is wont to steal the spotlight, the diversity and wealth of culture associated with the area is equally - if not more - deserving of it.

Foundations of the Founding Fathers

Foundations of the Founding Fathers

The United States Constitution was drafted in 1787. While the Founding Fathers, former British subjects, rejected the British Parliament's model with its House of Lords and Commons, they were not entirely without inspiration. European governments offered little guidance for democracy at the time. However, existing models closer to home provided valuable insights. There are clear parallels between the Constitution and indigenous systems like the Great Law of Peace.

Creating Culture in Thomas

Creating Culture in Thomas

Many towns in West Virginia experienced lightning-fast growth as they became a part of a network of railroads. These towns usually had abundant resources like coal or timber that provided jobs for the towns’ residents. Many towns were built by companies– employees of coal companies would live in houses owned by the company they worked for. However, this was not always the case. One town that was built by residents instead of a coal company is Thomas, West Virginia.

Old Growth: Historic Trees of the Appalachian Forest

Old Growth: Historic Trees of the Appalachian Forest

Let’s spend some time thinking about the organisms that have stood tall for well over 250 years. That’s right- we’re talking about trees. There are some trees in our region that have existed for over 250 years or are descendants of trees that play a role in history - from the Pringle Tree in Buckhannon to Cathedral State Park.

Remembering the Rosies: Leona Margie Phares

Remembering the Rosies: Leona Margie Phares

The Rosie the Riveters of WWII are an inspiration to all generations for their courage and commitment and for blazing the trail that changed the way women were viewed in the workforce. The "Rosie the Riveter" movement is credited with helping push the number of women working up to 20,000,000 in four years. My mother, Leona Phares, was one of these great women who left their homes in the AFNHA region to work in factories in larger cities. 

Katherine Johnson: NASA Mathematician

Katherine Johnson: NASA Mathematician

Down the road from the Green Bank Telescope is the hometown of a person who helped pave the way for space exploration. NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson was born in White Sulphur Springs in 1918. At Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory, Katherine was invited to work with the space task force and was the only non-white, non-male member of the team who worked to get a man to space.

The First Arthurdale Christmas

The First Arthurdale Christmas

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was deeply involved in all aspects of the Arthurdale homestead. She watched over the process as the federal government began turning the Arthurdale farm into a community for the long-term unemployed. Mrs. Roosevelt visited Arthurdale in December of 1934 and announced the plans for the homesteaders' first Christmas to the newspapers. Their first Christmas allowed the homesteaders to work together for a joyous occasion.

Remembering West Virginia's Indigenous History

Remembering West Virginia's Indigenous History

Many contemporary people believe West Virginia was nothing more than a hunting ground for the migratory Native Peoples. People without names, without connection. Yet, in my own survey, I am continuously reminded that West Virginia was home to many Indigenous communities, and these connections were held tight by long-term settlements. We see this by the traces they left behind, such as pottery, copper, shell, luxury items, burial sites, and old-growth trees. Many of the sites that archaeologists research are my direct ancestors, and the ancestors of existing descendant communities throughout the Eastern United States.

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A Timeless Road to Freedom—Cumberland and Emmanuel Parish

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A Timeless Road to Freedom—Cumberland and Emmanuel Parish

Situated at the top of the hill in the center of Cumberland, Emmanuel Parish stands for all to see. Visitors are drawn to the church on the hill with the steeple. Once inside, Emmanuel tells the story of our country from its earliest times to today. Situated at the crossroads of Native American trails and natural waterways, Cumberland and Emmanuel were known roads of freedom.  It is believed that the original foundations underneath the church were used as a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Bomber No. 5 – Role in Ordnance Testing Against Naval Vessels

Bomber No. 5 – Role in Ordnance Testing Against Naval Vessels

The first part of this essay speaks to the role of Bomber No. 5 in connection with its participation as part of the squadron assembled by General Billy Mitchell for potential use in the Battle of Blair Mountain, and its connections to Nicholas County. However, aircraft such as Bomber No. 5 and those like it, were essential to several demonstrations in 1921 to test whether naval vessels were vulnerable to aircraft attack.

Loss of Bomber No. 5 and Its Labor History

Loss of Bomber No. 5 and Its Labor History

Following the Battle of Blair Mountain, a U.S. Army Air Service Martin NBS-MB-1*—Bomber No. 5—crashed near Drennen, Nicholas County, West Virginia. Its role in suppression of the largest armed uprising since the Civil War was thereby etched into the hills of West Virginia and into the labor history of our Nation.

Laura Jackson Arnold: Mother of the Regiment

Laura Jackson Arnold: Mother of the Regiment

Laura Jackson Arnold was the younger sister of Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, famed Confederate general, who forged her own path to support the Union in the divided community of Beverly, western Virginia. During the Civil War she served a nurse to help soldiers on both sides, and she later became active in veterans’ organizations and was celebrated as “Mother of the Regiment.”

J.R. Clifford & Carrie Williams: Civil Rights Pioneers

J.R. Clifford & Carrie Williams: Civil Rights Pioneers

J.R. Clifford was a lawyer, teacher, newspaper editor, and soldier. He was the first black lawyer to practice law before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. In the case Carrie Williams v. The Board of Education Fairfax District, he successfully argued that "discrimination against people because of color alone as to privileges, immunities and equal protection of the law is unconstitutional" more than 50 years before Brown v. Board of Education.

 

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