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Order from Chaos: The Creation of West Virginia’s State Police Department

Location/County: Charleston, Kanawha
March 30, 2019

On Saturday, March 30, 2019, Aaron Parsons will present “Order from Chaos: The Creation of West Virginia’s State Police Department” in the Archives and History Library at the Culture Center, State Capitol Complex in Charleston. The program will begin at 3 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Parsons will explore how labor unrest in the state led to the creation of a statewide police force, covering both the legislative battle to create the department and the department’s role in the state’s Mine Wars. The early days of the West Virginia State Police will be discussed, including the formation of the department, the responsibilities and difficulties faced by some of the earliest members, and the resulting legacy felt throughout the state.

A native of Logan County, Parsons graduated from Man High School in 2010. He earned a B.A. degree in history from Marshall University in 2015 and an M.A. in public history from West Virginia University in 2017. Currently, he is the photograph archivist for West Virginia Archives and History, overseeing the vast collection of photos preserved in the State Archives.

For additional information, contact the Archives and History Library at (304) 558-0230.