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Morrisey addresses West Virginia Semiquincentennial Commission: Additional events celebrating America’s 250th anniversary announced

Additional events celebrating America's 250th anniversary announced

Members of the West Virginia Semiquincentennial Commission listen Tuesday as Gov. Patrick Morrisey remotely thanks them for their service and encourages them to help spread the word about celebrations in Charleston and all across the state for America's 250th birthday. (Photo by Steven Allen Adams)

CHARLESTON – With just over two weeks until America celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Gov. Patrick Morrisey thanked members of the West Virginia Semiquincentennial Commission for their work leading up to the statewide celebration.

Addressing members of the commission remotely Tuesday afternoon, Morrisey encouraged commission members to stay involved in America 250 activities both in Charleston and all across the state.

“I think all of us believe that for the past 250 years, our country stood as really such an amazing force for opportunity and self-government,” Morrisey said. “We know that so many generations of Americans have sacrificed, they’ve served, they’ve worked to preserve all of these ideals that are in our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. And now it’s our turn to really carry on that legacy.”

“We have an opportunity to do something really special. And that’s not just to celebrate our nation’s history, but we have a chance to showcase our people, our culture, our communities,” Morrisey continued. “I want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to let every region of the state know that we’re all part of the same team.”

The West Virginia Semiquincentennial Commission was created by the Legislature in 2021 with the mission “to prepare for and commemorate the semiquincentennial of our nation’s founding.” A separate A250 Task Force has also been involved with America 250 planning in the state.

West Virginia’s America 250 celebrations will continue through the end of the year, but many of the activities and initiatives lead up to the week of July 4. Counties received America 250 packets, which include balloons, an official America 250 flag, stickers, window clings, a replica scroll of the Declaration of Independence, and a time capsule.

“We had talked about having time capsules, and we were able to find really nice ones,” said Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby. “We’ve also got these Declaration of Independence (scrolls) that were sent out. They were very nice … It has the original signers of the Declaration, but then it has a big open area where West Virginians who attend these celebrations can sign their names too, so these will become official records in each county.”

Morrisey announced last week a poetry contest, with the winner getting to present their poem during the Capitol City Celebration on July 4. Ruby said more than 40 submissions have been received to date. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, June 24. More information is available at wv250.com.

Ruby said more than 100 organizations have signed up to participate in a statewide bell ringing ceremony scheduled for noon on July 4 to mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The West Virginia Celebrates Freedom Pageant will take place at the West Virginia Culture Center on Friday, June 19.

America 250 merchandise can be purchased at West Virginia state parks and at shopwvstateparks.com. More than 8,000 America 250 window clings were distributed to West Virginia Welcome Centers and convention and visitors bureaus across the state. And commemorative America 250 license plates are available for purchases through Division of Motor Vehicles offices.

Earlier this year, the state launched a Letters to our Founders essay contest for students in grades 8-12. Winners were Allison Sigman, Willa Tatman, Audrey Marsh, Rebecca Chen, and Alyssa Dalton, whose essay will go into a national America 250 time capsule along with Blenko Glass pieces.

A number of historical and art exhibits are on display at the Capitol grounds, including an interactive replica of the White House’s Founders Exhibit at the Culture Center along with a traveling version of the Founders Exhibit available to communities across the state by request.

A veterans art exhibit is also on display at the Culture Center, while an Almost Heaven art exhibit is on display outside the Governor’s Reception Room inside the State Capitol Building. A West Virginia Heritage 250 quilt will be unveiled on West Virginia Day Saturday, June 20, at noon at the Culture Center.

One project that needs more county participation is the America 250 Mural Trail project. Counties can receive up to $5,000 grants to create America 250 murals. Ruby said 19 murals are complete and 24 are in progress.

“It’s an initiative we’ve been really excited about,” Ruby said. “We are the first state in the country to do a statewide funded mural trail with all of the counties … This has been a labor of love working with all 55 counties to get these murals up. We’re really proud of the ones we’re seeing.”

The commission is actively seeking partners in 12 counties that have yet to submit applications, including Berkeley, Brooke, Gilmer, Hancock, Hardy, Jefferson, Marion, Marshall, McDowell, Raleigh, Summers, and Wyoming. While the deadline for the mural project is July 1, Ruby said there is flexibility should a county wish to participate.

Ruby will be traveling to Washington, D.C., this week to help set up West Virginia’s booth for the Great American State Fair taking place on the Mall Thursday, June 25, through Friday, July 10. Beginning Tuesday night, the dome of the State Capitol Building will be lit up red, white and blue.

The commission was also updated on the Capital City Celebration taking place July 2-5 on the grounds of the State Capitol Complex. Most events will be free for the public and will also include food vendors and yet-to-be-named musical acts.

“This is going to be a great free event here at the Capitol that we’re really excited about,” Ruby said.

The Capital City Celebration will feature the world’s largest portable Ferris wheel and a 3D light show projected directly onto the State Capitol Building during the evenings of July 2-5, as well as fireworks shows on July 3 and July 4 in conjunction with the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta also taking place July 2-5. Shuttles will be available to take people between the State Capitol Complex and Haddad Riverfront Park in downtown Charleston.

New events announced for the Capital City Celebration include an adventure zone, featuring rock climbing, gaming trailers, inflatables, and a community art project; and a history hub located near the Culture Center, featuring “History Alive” reenactors, a vintage roller skating rink, and an America 250 museum exhibit. Tickets can also be purchased to watch a presentation at the Culture Center of the musical “1776” by the Charleston Light Opera Guild.

“Please help us with the momentum and let’s get the word out,” Morrisey said. “Talk about these events, promote these events, encourage participation, and let’s make sure that every West Virginian understands that this is their celebration. When people look back on America’s 250th, I don’t want them to just think that West Virginia didn’t simply participate. We want them to remember it for the rest of their lives.”

More information about America 250 events in Charleston and across the state can be found at wv250.com.

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