Marion County was created in 1842 as part of the Commonwealth of Virginia; on June 20, 1863, West Virginia became the 35th state of the United States of America.

The Marion County Historical Society & Museum hosts a collection of amazing and diverse artifacts from past centuries. The museum and the society provide a connection to the events, times, fashions and culture of days past; everyone, regardless of age, can appreciate the fascinating history waiting here that can be explored time and time again.

This organization could not thrive without the support of many individuals and organizations. A special thank you to Marion County Commission, Central United Methodist Church, Marion County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Frank & Jane Gabor WV Folklife Center, the Bowers Foundation, City of Pleasant Valley, Town of Whitehall, Main Street Fairmont, Friendly Furniture, Adams Office Supply, the support of Senator Roman Prezioso and Senator Robert Beach, as well as Jeff and his wonderful maintenance crew who help keep our museum open.

There are many more volunteers who support our organzation behind the scenes and we appreciate them all:: Alisa Smith, Ann Morgan, Betty Andrews,k Bobby Bice, Carol Jacques, Carolyn Cummings, Cathy & Phil Reed, Chad Jeffres, Christa Greco, Christian Cummings, Cindy Staley, Connie Ahrens, D.D. Meighen, Diana & Richard George, Dora Kay Grubb, Drew Andrews, Eleanor Lee, Faith Bowyer, Gena Wagaman, George Sprowls & Kathy Sprowls, Gladys Miller, Guy Ward, James (Jim) Mathews, Jim Rote, Janice Chittum, Jelen Lee, JoAnn Lough, Joy Winet, Laura Cain, Linda Jack, Madison Bowen, Marcella Yaarenchuck, Mark Bowyer, Mary Jo Thomas, Nancy Koon, Nancy C. Toothman, Natalie Greco, Pat Watts, Pauline Grove, Richard (Dick Bowyer, Royal & Janice Watts, Royce Lyden, Sandy Vaughan, Sarah Layne, Mary Bronson, Tonya Daft, Wha-ke-we-nn.

MCHS Meetings Reminder
Your Society meets on the 4th Saturday of every month [except November & December] at 10:30 am at Central United Methodist Church on Fairmont Avenue. Membership Dues are due NOW!

Events

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Saturday, May 18
Book Signing 10-2pm
"Images of America: Fairmont" by Christa Greco. This Arcadia series publication is a collection of vintage Fairmont images and postcards

This is a wonderful opportunity to speak with the author about our wonderful city and its place in our history. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of lemonade. If you have any questions, please call 304-367-5398 or e-mail: marionhistorical@yahoo.com

Get your book personally autographed. We charge no separate tax. We now have PayPal and you can make your purchase online or you may call the museum.

Let's begin getting ready for West Virginia's big Sesquicentennial Celebration. June 20th. Downtown Fairlmont. Check our Facebook page for events and additional information.

Julia PIerpont Day
Celebration May 25th.

8:30 a.m. Breakfast at Veteran Square, Adams St. Fairmont, WV Catered by Aladdin $10.00 pay by May 22th Ceremonies to follow
10:30 a.m. Procession to Woodlawn Cemetery
11:00 a.m. Veterans Monument Woodlawn Cemetery. A Rendering of Honors to those Who Gave Their Lives in Service to Their Country. Marion County Military Veterans Council. Laying of Wreaths on Graves, Music
West Virginia Civil War Re-enactors Association
10:00 – 2:00: The Museum will be open
Clean up in the cemetery (We can certainly use some volunteer help with this.)

For additional information, call the museum.

GIFT SHOP
>ONLINE NOW<

Our gift shop is now in the foyer, not in the dining room. Our dining room is back to being a dining room and we hope to hang some portraits above the dish rail in the near future.

New Giftshop

A COMMUNITY GARDEN PROJECT We are please to announce that our proposal to the City of Fairmont went well, and we have been invited to start a Community Garden project also at Heston Farms! The City of Fairmont process will take some time due to the fact that it is on City owned park land and there are a lot of steps to its creation. However, in the mean time, we have Heston Farms who is generously preparing a 1/2 ACRE of land for us to use. The best news is that this will be ready in MAY of THIS YEAR, and we can begin immediately. This project will allow us to raise some of the necessary funds needed to start the Urban Community Garden at Oliver Park.

As, I have learned throughout this process, there are many grants available for community gardens, however, we have to have funds for the grants to match (usually 50/50). Without that we have been limited on our ability to apply for any grants.

Please also think if you would be interested in renting one of the different adoptable plots that we are going to offer. A 4ft. by 4ft. plot for $15/yr. or a 4ft. by 8ft. plot for $25/yr. If you would like to commit to a plot now, please let me know so I can have enough agreements on hand for the meeting.

Thank you again and I look forward to a prosperous new year for OUR Community Garden Project.

Christa Blais 304-816-1379