Article Photos

PARKERSBURG - Hundreds of students had the chance Tuesday to experience West Virginia's rich history and culture firsthand.

Appalachian Heritage Day at West Virginia University at Parkersburg brings together local artisans, charities and businesses to showcase the culture of West Virginia. Aaron Crites, assistant professor of history at WVU-P, said this year's event featured a small number of exhibits, but he hopes to see the program expand in the coming years.

"It's to get people not only in touch with this area's history but also with all this area has to offer," he said. "We'd like to see more of the local charities involved. We'd also like to expand more on the crafts-end of things."

The event featured exhibits from area groups such as the Campus Martius Museum, the Wood County Historical Society, Trans Allegheny Books Books, watercolor artist Lynda Rhodes and others.

"Everyone is in some way connected with this area," Crites said.

Several hundred eighth-grade students from Pleasants Middle School attended the event as part of their West Virginia Studies program, listening to storytellers and watching demonstrations on pottery making and metalworking.

Blacksmiths Jeff McCrady and Ted Banning showed students how different tools and items could be forged from iron using age-old techniques. The two, who have been working together for more than seven years, use a combination of history and humor to teach about their craft.

"An anvil is for more than just being dropped on Bugs Bunny's head," Banning said. Blacksmithing "just requires concentration."

"We can work all day together and not say a word, just know what the other needs," McCrady said. "It's kind of scary."

Melissa Walters, a junior at WVU-P, helped organize the event as part of an honors history project.

"We had to start from scratch and really brainstorm, what would people want to see?" she said. "I'm hoping (the students) get more of a sense of pride for West Virginia."

Walters, who was raised in Iowa, said the project has been eye-opening for her as well.

"I have learned a lot from this class," she said. "There is definitely a rich history and culture here in West Virginia."