CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Four out of eight murals will be dedicated on West Virginia Day, the state’s 161st birthday, in the state Capitol Rotunda.
A ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the Upper Rotunda to showcase the artwork which depicts iconic state scenes and landmarks.
The murals were be installed earlier this year on the 3rd floor level of the Rotunda, at approximately 52’10” high from the 1st Floor level. The first four murals include the Battle of Philippi Bridge, the State Seal, the Shiveree of Seneca Rock and Harpers Ferry 1859.
West Virginia was inaugurated as a state in 1863, making it the only state created during the Civil War.
In honor of West Virginia Day, Gov. Jim Justice will attend a 3:30 p.m. ceremony at WV Independence Hall in Wheeling to dedicate a statue of the first governor of West Virginia, Arthur Boreman.
“After we dedicate the murals, we’ll have a hot dog contest and we’ll have the First Lady’s blackberry walnut cake and the official punch of the state of West Virginia,” said state Department of Arts, Culture and History Secretary Randall Reid-Smith.
The Craik-Patton House in Charleston, the former home of George Washington’s personal physician and Col. George Patton, will provide refreshments and host tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Historic Glenwood Estate in Charleston will also have tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as well as live music. The MacFarland-Hubbard House in Charleston will have an open house from 2-4 p.m. The home, built in 1836, served as a field hospital for Union troops during the Civil War.
The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad in Romney is celebrating both West Virginia Day and National American Eagle Day with short, one-hour train trips for $13. The Cass Scenic Railroad in Pocahontas County is also offering train rides through the West Virginia Mountain Rails Thursday.
State and county offices will be closed Thursday.