Native American Heritage Month Lecture: “It’s All About Stuff”
Thursday, November 30, 7:00 pm Native American Heritage Month Lecture: “It’s All About Stuff” By Todd “Ghost in the Head” Johnson This program examines how the introduction of trade goods that greatly changed Eastern Woodland cultures after the introduction of European “stuff”. Mr. Johnson draws from the traditions of his Huron heritage when presenting his programs about Eastern Woodland lifeways. He has been a consultant and presenter at historic sites such as Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Meadowcroft Rock Shelter and Historic Village, and has received two letters of recognition from the United States Congress for his portrayal of Huron heritage.
Lecture: Ancient Earthworks in the Middle Ohio Valley
Ancient Earthworks in the Middle Ohio Valley: Discovering New Sites and Re-examining the Old By Jarrod Burks, PhD, Director of Archaeological Geophysics, Ohio Valley Archaeology, Inc. The Middle Ohio Valley is rich in ancient moments--circles, squares, and even more exotic shapes; most were built about 1800 years ago. Though many sites were mapped in the 19th century and still more mounds were excavated, these may be the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Recent aerial photograph analysis and on-the-ground geophysical surveys have found a surprising number of previously undocumented enclosure sites, as well as many new features at well-known sites. Join us as we explore these new discoveries and see first-hand some of the exciting new scientific data that is leading scholars into a new era of earthwork research in our region.
A Screening of Vietnam: West Virginians Remember, a documentary from West Virginia Public Broadcasting
A documentary from West Virginia Public Broadcasting featuring the experiences of 5 West Virginia combat soldiers. Per capita, West Virginians served the most and died the most in Vietnam. It lives on as America’s most controversial war – with questions unanswered, lessons not learned, and for veterans who survive, including thousands of West Virginians, haunting memories remain. Popcorn will be provided. Call 304-737-1551 closer to the event for more information and to register!
“The Mine Wars”
In the beginning of the 20th Century, coal fueled industrial progress. Coal mining was an industry in which nearly 750,000 men across the U.S. spent 10 to 12 hours a day blasting, shoveling, and loading the fuel that made the nation’s industrial progress possible. This film brings to life the decades-long struggle for the miner’s right to organize and join a union, and shows how the coalfields of southern West Virginia became a war zone.
First Lady’s Festival of Songs
The West Virginia Division of Culture and History and First Lady Joanne Jaeger Tomblin welcome middle school and high school choirs from across the Mountain State to perform holiday music as part of the First Lady’s Festival of Songs. The show is free and open to the public. The performance, sponsored by the Division of Culture and History and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, will be taped as part of a special partnership with the West Virginia Library Commission and then aired Christmas morning on Library Channel television stations throughout the state.
Plantation Archaeology, Industrial Slavery and the Glenwood Project
Robert Maslowski , Retired Archeologist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District Slave-based agriculture and the salt industry were two of the most important economic pursuits in the early history of West Virginia. The treatment of the enslaved workers differed greatly because slaves in the salt trade were leased instead of owned directly. These differences are revealed in excavations at the Jenkins Plantation on the Ohio River, the Reynolds home and slave cabin at the Marmet Lock Replacement project, and the Glenwood Estate in Charleston, WV.
Rosser’s Raid on Beverly: One Last Frolic for the Confederacy
Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex Lecture Series: As ice and snow gripped the Alleghenies in January 1865, Confederate General Tom Rosser launched a raid on the Union depot at Beverly, Randolph County, West Virginia. Surprising the Yankees after a late-night dance, Rosser's raiders plundered the town and carried off twice their number in prisoners. Archaeology aids in revealing this tragicomic tale.
Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival
Celebrating its 38th year, the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival is one of the longest standing festival traditions in Berkeley County, celebrating the area’s rich history and agricultural roots. The four day event features a wide range of activities, from an elegant grand ball, to a sportsman and outdoor show, a craft show, agricultural events, a royal gala and the grand feature parade that fills downtown with performances, antique cars, fire trucks and more. This festival is a local favorite and will create a special memory for visitors and families who attend and share in this time-honored tradition.