Gov. Jim Justice, Babydog, and First Lady Cathy Justice dedicated four new murals Thursday at the State Capitol Building on West Virginia Day. (Photo by Steven Allen Adams)

CHARLESTON — On his eighth and final West Virginia Day as governor, Jim Justice encouraged all residents to appreciate the state’s arts, culture, and history as he unveiled the latest additions to the State Capitol Building.

Justice — joined by First Lady Cathy Justice and English bulldog Babydog — dedicated the first four of eight murals Thursday morning depicting scenes from West Virginia’s history and heritage.

“That’s our soul. That’s who we are,” Justice said. “When we give up our identity of who we are, we’re giving up our soul. Absolutely, our history, our culture, our arts return so much to us, it’s unbelievable. We can never give up our soul.”

The first four murals are located in the lunettes — the half-moon spaces underneath the golden dome located in the upper rotunda of the State Capitol Building. Four more murals in the trapezoidal areas alongside the lunettes are being considered.

The murals show scenes from the Battle of Philippi, considered by some historians as the first land battle of the American Civil War; a scene overlooking Harpers Ferry, the Potomac River, and John Brown’s Fort; a scene displaying glassblowing, blacksmithing, basket weaving, quilting, music, and the state’s natural wonder; and the final mural shows an artistic perspective of the Great Seal of the State of West Virginia.

The four new murals in the upper rotunda of the State Capitol Building in Charleston depict scenes from West Virginia history and culture. (Photo courtesy of WV Legislative Photography)

Randall Reid-Smith — the cabinet secretary of the Department of Arts, Culture and History — said the murals were originally part of the vision of Capitol architect Cass Gilbert. But when the Great Depression hit in 1929, that limited Gilbert’s budget.

“They started the west wing in 1924; they started the east wing in 1926; in 1928, they started the front of the building; and in 1929, the Great Depression hit,” Reid-Smith said. “We were reading a letter from Cass Gilbert to Gov. (William) Conley, and there were several things that were not included in the original price tag … His intention for murals were they were to be historical and allegorical.”

Justice, who first took office in 2017, had to tackle a nearly $500 million budget deficit for the next fiscal year. Justice’s recommended general revenue budget for the following fiscal year included a $4.3 million budget reduction for then-named Division of Culture and History. The final version of the budget passed by the Legislature in a special session that summer without the governor’s signature included other cuts.

“There was a time on my first days that it was really discussed that we really needed to get rid of our history and culture and arts, because we didn’t have the money to fund it, even though it was crumbs,” Justice said.

But since 2017, the state has enjoyed multiple tax revenue surpluses that have allowed Justice and the Legislature to restore funding to the now-named Department of Arts, Culture and History. Reid-Smith’s title was changed from curator to cabinet secretary. The department maintains several museums and archeological sites; participates in the History Bowl and Golden Horseshoe programs; manages West Virginia Public Broadcasting; provides several grants; and manages historic preservation projects.

The four new murals in the upper rotunda of the State Capitol Building in Charleston depict scenes from West Virginia history and culture. (Photo courtesy of WV Legislative Photography)

Justice is wrapping up the final six months of his second term as governor. He is the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, facing Democratic Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott in November. Justice left attendees with a positive message and a thank you for the public’s support during his nearly eight years as governor.

“You’re the greatest, don’t ever forget that,” Justice said. “You’re the best state, the very best people … and we want you to just have the opportunity to stay here, to grow up here, to absolutely flourish here. You’re the greatest.

“For our First Lady, for Babydog, and for all of our family, I thank you,” Justice continued. “I thank you for the honor that you’ve given me and bestowed upon me beyond all belief. Absolutely keep it going, West Virginia. We’ve got it really going right now … We’re worth it. Remember that.”

Steven Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.com

The four new murals in the upper rotunda of the State Capitol Building in Charleston depict scenes from West Virginia history and culture. (Photo courtesy of WV Legislative Photography)

The four new murals in the upper rotunda of the State Capitol Building in Charleston depict scenes from West Virginia history and culture. (Photo courtesy of WV Legislative Photography)