West Virginia History through Archives–Preserving the Mountain State’s Stories
CLASS 1: “Materials for the Historian, an Identity for Future Generations: West Virginia’s State Archives”

West Virginia’s first State Historian and Archivist, Virgil A. Lewis, stated, “Public Documents are the materials for the historian. . . . posterity can not have the means of judging, as it might, of the deeds, and principles of action, and of the legislation of ancestors. Thus the State that neglects to preserve its Public Documents, loses much to future generations — to the whole world indeed.” To this end, the West Virginia Division of Culture and History collects all manner of public documents—yearbooks, rare books, phone books, periodicals, manuscripts, state documents, photographs, films, and more—and each preserves a unique piece of the West Virginia story. Current State Historian and Archivist and Director of West Virginia Archives and History, Joe Geiger, will give a behind the scenes look at the activities of the State Archives—from digitizing genealogical records to microfilming newspapers to curating museum exhibits—and explain why it is important to collect, preserve, and make accessible the history of West Virginia for present and future generations.

Instructor Joe Geiger received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in History from Marshall University where he taught as an adjunct professor in the History department. He has published two books, “Civil War in Cabell County, West Virginia, 1861–1865” and “Holding The Line: The Battle of Allegheny Mountain and Confederate Defense of the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike, 1861-62,” and numerous scholarly articles. Geiger, who serves as the State Historian and Archivist, has worked for West Virginia Archives and History since 1998 and was appointed Director in 2009.

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Learn more about the Fall 2017 People’s University Series at http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org/news/5671

The People’s University is a free program for adults who wish to continue their education in the liberal arts, featuring courses taught by experts in each subject that enable patrons to pursue their goal of lifelong learning in subjects such as history, philosophy, and literature. There are no grades and patrons are welcome to attend all classes in a series or individual programs on a class by class basis.

To register for The People’s University: West Virginia History through Archives – Preserving the Mountain State’s Stories, please call the library at 304-232-0244, send an email to ocplarchives@gmail.com, or visit the Reference Desk. Classes are free and open to the public. Registration is not a commitment and you are welcome to attend any or all classes. Complimentary refreshments will be provided.