Wyoming County Historical Museum

A second Civil War Trials marker will be installed in Wyoming County this coming spring.

The marker will be installed near the Turkey Ridge Baptist Church and describes the love affair between Thompson Walker, a confederate soldier, and Martilia Walker, whose family were strong supporters of the Union. In fact Martilia's father, Captian William Walker, was a soldier in the Union army and a Wyoming County delegate during the Wheeling convention.

The museum began working on this second marker not long after the first marker was placed at Clear Fork Valley Golf Course in Oceana. 

Civil War Trails is a multi-state program that identifies, interprets and creates driving tours of both the great campaigns and the lesser-known Civil War sites. West Virginia joins Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, and Tennessee in this important initiative, which has been identified by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the most successful and sustainable heritage tourism programs in the nation.

Genealogist and author Bonnie Turner Cook and her husband Phillip (who both now reside in Cape Coral, Florida)  visited the museum today.  During their visit Mrs. Cook donated copies of some of the books she has written to the museum as a way for the museum to raise funds. The museum board would like to express our deep appreciation to the Cook's and wish them safe travels. 

These books are now available at the museum:

"The Family of John Cooke"  ($40.00)

Details the lineage of more than 10,000 descendants of John Cooke, Wyoming County's first permanent settler. Softcover, 368 pages. (21 Copies Available)

"1900 Census Alphabetized" ($40.00)

This book is a compilation of all the persons living in Wyoming County, West Virginia, during the 1900 Census Enumeration. The information was obtained from a microfilmed copy of the original handwritten census forms. The records have been alphabetized to allow for quick reference. Softcover, 195 pages. (7 Copies Available)

"1930 Census Alphabetized" ($50.00)

This two volume set is a compilation of all the people living in Wyoming County, West Virginia, during the 1930 Census Enumeration. The information was obtained from a microfilmed copy of the original handwritten census forms. The records have been alphabetized to allow for quick reference. Softcover, 566 total pages Vol. I and II. (4 Sets Available)

"Giles County Virginia Marriages 1807-1850" ($20.00)

The original part of Giles County, Virginia now make up, either in whole or in part, the current West Virginia Counties of Boone, Fayette, Raleigh, Summers, Wyoming and even a part of Kanawha County. Thus, Giles County Vital records are important in researching both Virginia and Southern West Virginia history. Softcover, 35 pages. (2 Copies Available)

"Pike County Kentucky Marriages 1822-1851" ($20.00)

Softcover. (3 Copies Available)

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

“From Cabins to Coal Mines” Volume 1, by Paul Ray Blankenship

The Wyoming County Historical Museum is pleased to announce we are accepting pre-orders for Paul Ray Blankenship’s book “From Cabins to Coal Mines” Volume 1.

The book will be ready about mid December and is only $40 a copy (plus tax). You can pick up your book at the museum or for an additional charge have it mailed anywhere in the states.

First published in 1999 this book is an anthology of: History, Traditional Stories, Anecdotes, Legends, Recollections, and  Family Genealogy of Oceana and the surrounding areas of Crany, Huff Creek, Jesse, Kopperston, and Matheny.

For information or to place a pre-order contact museum treasurer Betsy Ross at (304) 732-6995

Jim Kosowski, on behalf of Cliffs Natural Resources, presented Wyoming County Historical Museum board members with a contribution of $3,000 to be used for renovations to the second story of the museum.

West Virginia Civil War Trails marker installed in Wyoming County!

On July 23, 2010, a Civil War Trails marker was installed at the Clear Fork Valley Golf Course in Oceana which describes the burning of the McDonald Plantation in 1862 by Union Home Guards led by Captain Ferdinand Newman.

This marker has been in the works for over a year and was the first project the Wyoming County Historical Museum initiated. The museum had several partners in this endeavor and could not have succeeded without their involvement. Thanks to, the Clear Fork Valley Golf Course board of directors and Tony Bowles (Manager), and Mitch Bowman and those at Civil War Trails!

Civil War Trails is a multi-state program that identifies, interprets and creates driving tours of both the great campaigns and the lesser-known Civil War sites. West Virginia joins Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, and Tennessee in this important initiative, which has been identified by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the most successful and sustainable heritage tourism programs in the nation.

(Photos of the installation are posted in the "Photos" section)

The museum is slowly filling up with exhibits! thanks to items being donated and loaned by area residents. (Posted some updated photos in the Photos section). We now have items from early county history to world history. We have Native American artifacts, antiques, quilts, and old photos.  For war buffs we have items from the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and Vietnam. A little something for everyone!

ACE Security Solutions installed the new security system which includes; 2 camera's that record 24/7, motion sensors, and door alarms.   This new system, coupled with the security improvements already installed, will keep the display items well protected!

Mildred Shannon presented John Cooke's rifle to the museum during the February board meeting.  The gun was manufactured in the mid 1700's by Leeman Brothers, of Lancaster, PA, and belonged to the first settler of Wyoming County, John Cooke.  Ms. Shannon will keep the gun until the new security system is installed at the museum then she will bring it down for display.

The street sign, donated by Montani Graphics of Pineville, was picked up and installed on the street in front of the museum.

Museum oficers Jesse Womack, Epp Cline, Betsy Ross and Jim Cook visited the Pineville Lions Club to discuss their participation in the museum grand opening.  The Lions Club was excited to help and tentatively planned to bring the sight van to the grand opening for free eye examines.  The Pineville Lions Club aslo showed their commitment to the museum by presenting the officers with a check for $100.