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  • Statehood

    West Virginia is the only state formed as a result of the Civil War -- a “Child of the Storm” that was a reflection of the struggle that the Republic was going through. From the soil that would become West Virginia, citizens took up arms against each other.
  • Freedom

    "[O]n the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State . . . shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free . . . ."

    - The Emancipation Proclamation
  • Sacrifice

    "We are determined to live under a State Government in the United States of America and under the Constitution of the United States. It requires stout hearts to execute this purpose; it requires men of courage."
    - Arthur Boreman

News and Announcements

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Upcoming Events

The Civil War Homefront for Kids
Learn what it might have been like to be a child during the Civil War through historical activities, songs and games. Limit 20. Register via the event calendar at www.kanawhalibrary.org
Date:02/25/2012Time:2 pm
History Alive! Osborne Perry Anderson
Of the five African-American members of John Brown’s raiders at Harpers Ferry in 1859, only Osborne Perry Anderson escaped and remained free. In 1861 he published the only eye-witness account of the raid and its preparations, "A Voice from Harpers Ferry." Anderson was active in the abolition movement and during the Civil War served with the U.S. Colored Troops. Mr. Anderson is portrayed by Joseph Bundy. This West Virginia Humanities Council program is being hosted by the Kanawha County Public Library system and is supported with additional financial assistance from the Office of the Secretary, West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts.
Date:02/25/2012Time:2:00 pm
Making Sense of the American Civil War
Join Greg Carroll, historian at the WV State Archives, for this reading and discussion series about the Civil War. Over the course of five meetings, discuss "March" by Geraldine Brooks, "Crossroad of Freedom: Antietam" by James McPherson, and "America's War: Talking About the Civil War and Emancipation on Their 150th Anniversaries" by Edward L. Ayers. Fourth Monday of Feb., March, April, May and June, 6 pm at Main Library in Charleston. Presented by National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association, with additional support from WV Humanities Council and WV Center for the Book.
Date:02/27/2012Time:6:00 pm

Today in Civil War History

Provided by Civil War Interactive

Sunday, Feb. 23, 1862 - PERNICIOUS PEACEFULLNESS POTENTIALLY PERILOUS

Aside from the appointment of Andrew Jackson as military governor of Tennessee, absolutely nothing of the slightest interest, either military or political, occurred on this date according to any source we can find. The fact that we all know the war continued for several more years means that eventually there is sure to be some more fighting.

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* All photographs are courtesy of the West Virginia State Archives

Privacy, Security and Accessibility | WV.gov | USA.gov | © 2012 State of West Virginia

Privacy, Security and Accessibility | WV.gov | USA.gov | © 2011 State of West Virginia