All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

‘Born of Rebellion’ W.Va. statehood traveling exhibit coming to WVWC’s Annie Merner Pfeiffer Library

Photo courtesy of WVWC

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – As the nation looks ahead to its 250th birthday in 2026, a traveling exhibit about the state’s origins is already making the rounds. Born of Rebellion: West Virginia Statehood and the Civil War is the new flagship history exhibit from the West Virginia Humanities Council, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the creators of the West Virginia Encyclopedia.

“This is a complete revitalization of an exhibit the Council first released in 2005, and toured again during the Sesquicentennial,” says the Council’s Program Officer Kyle Warmack. “The original was fantastic, but focused narrowly on the legal question of statehood. This time, we widen the lens to include a kaleidoscope of West Virginia perspectives. 2024 is the 50th anniversary of the Council’s founding, so it felt appropriate to return all the way to the state’s roots.”

One way to do that was by digging into the stories of individuals around the state. The exhibit’s section titles are drawn from the diary of Upshur County teenager Sirene Bunten, who was only 16 when West Virginia achieved statehood in 1863. “The original diary is part of West Virginia Wesleyan College’s collections,” notes Warmack. “Experiencing this history feels different when reading the inner observations of a young girl who loses two brothers to the war.” Other quotes and experiences were drawn from the recollections of soldiers and civilians across the state.

Born of Rebellion was made possible with funding from American Water and the NEH’s “A More Perfect Union” initiative, as well as support from the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History.

The Annie Merner Pfeiffer Library at West Virginia Wesleyan College will host the exhibit from Friday, Oct. 6 to Nov. 1, 2023, with a special kickoff event Friday, Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information, Beth Rogers, Director of Library Services (rogers_e@wvwc.edu, 304.473.8601), or visit https://amplibrary.wvwc.edu/libraryhome.

Full tour information can be found at wvhumanities.org.

Share this story:

RECENT Stories

Upshur County Sports Calendar

This week’s Upshur County sports calendar features a packed schedule of baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, and track and field events for area schools and colleges from Monday, April 28 through Sunday, May 4.
WVWC Track - Wesleyan Sports

Wesleyan softball settles for a split with Concord in MEC doubleheader

West Virginia Wesleyan softball shut out Concord 2-0 in the opener but fell 11-7 in Game Two as both teams earned a win in Friday’s rain-affected doubleheader.

Maxine Virginia Malcolm

Maxine Virginia Malcolm, 96, formerly of French Creek, WV, and a retired Abbott Laboratories employee known for her faith and love of family, died April 23, 2025, leaving behind children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Strawberry Festival Parade

West Virginia Strawberry Festival parade routes and parking restrictions announced

The West Virginia Strawberry Festival and City of Buckhannon have announced the parade routes, schedules and parking restrictions from May 10-18 to ensure safety and smooth operations during the 83rd annual celebration in Buckhannon.

Coordinator hired to support WVWC’s Certificate in Addiction Counseling program

West Virginia Wesleyan College has appointed addiction specialist Jon Dower as coordinator for its new Certificate in Addiction Counseling program, aiming to enhance behavioral health education and address statewide substance use challenges.

Wesleyan launches Certificate in Addiction Counseling program to combat substance use disorders in Appalachia

West Virginia Wesleyan College is launching a fully online, post-master’s Certificate in Addiction Counseling this fall to help address substance use disorders in West Virginia and the broader Appalachian region.

City of Buckhannon announces yard waste collection schedule and rescheduling update

Buckhannon residents can receive yard waste collection on designated Fridays and drop off limited loads at the Recycling Center for free, with the May 16 collection now rescheduled to May 23 because of the Strawberry Festival.

Donald Lee Simons

Donald Lee Simons, 77, a Buckhannon construction worker and former country club caddy known for his love of fishing, died at home on April 23, 2025, survived by family and friends.

Turn the page on a long winter: Little Free Libraries are the perfect Spring activity

Little Free Libraries in Upshur County offer free books at numerous locations, fostering community connections and literacy for all ages while encouraging residents to donate, borrow, and share a wide variety of reading materials.

The Colonial Arts Center & CAC Gallery Present: 2025 Vandalia Arts Journal Exhibition

The CAC Gallery will host the inaugural exhibition of The Vandalia Arts Journal from April 25 to May 10, featuring WV Wesleyan College students’ literary and visual works.

Upshur County FFA members compete in the West Virginia Beef Stockman’s Contest at the 2025 Beef Expo

Four Upshur County FFA members gained hands-on experience and new skills while competing in knowledge and evaluation events at the West Virginia Beef Stockman’s Contest during the Beef Expo at WVU Jackson’s Mill.

Buckhannon Zoning Board of Appeals Agenda: May 28, 2025

The City of Buckhannon has released the agenda and public notice for its Zoning Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for May 28, 2025.