e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia Online

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Remembering Clark Kessinger 50 Years Later

This old-time legend continues to influence young fiddlers a half-century after his death

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Hazel at 100

Dig more deeply into the heart and music of West Virginia with this look at Hazel Dickens on what would have been her 100th birthday

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Squire Parsons (1948-2025)

Honoring Roane County native Squire Parsons, who wrote over 600 gospel songs, including the classic "Sweet Beulah Land."

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Wildflowers in Wild Wonderful West Virginia

Early spring in West Virginia signals the bonanza of wildflowers soon to come.

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Bonnie Collins

"The Belle of Doddridge County" was a storytelling sensation at fairs and festivals from the late 1960s to early 2000s

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Dick Hoblitzell

This Wood County native has several fascinating connections with early 20th-century baseball

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Revella Hughes

This Harlem Renaissance star returned to her native Huntington to start music programs for Black schools.

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Beulah McCown Stark

Beulah McCown Stark was one the first licensed women pilots in West Virginia.

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Jude Binder

Jude Binder is a woodcarver, dancer, playwright, and educator—and also the FestivALL Princess

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Samuel and Mary Barnes Cabell

This unique 19th-century interracial relationship indirectly led to the founding of West Virginia State University, our state's Black land-grant institution.

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Lincoln Walks at Midnight

The iconic statue in front of our state capitol turned 50 years old in 2024

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Today in WV History
16 Jun

Francis Peirpoint became West Virginia's first adjutant general

Francis Perry Peirpoint (February 23, 1840 - January 7, 1869) was West Virginia's first Adjutant General. He was born in Fairmont, Marion County, Western Virginia, to Zackquill M. Peirpoint, a tanner by trade, and Martha (Vandevoort) Peirpoint. Th...

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