WHEELING - West Virginia turns 150 years old today, and to mark the 35th state's birthday Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and state legislators gathered Wednesday at West Virginia Independence Hall in Wheeling.
The event marked the first time in 50 years that a sitting governor and Legislature had convened at Independence Hall, which served as the gathering place during statehood talks in the early 1860s. The group heard speeches from June 20, 1863, the day West Virginia formally was admitted into the Union.
Tomblin told those present West Virginia has "a unique past." He recalled the state's 100th birthday - he was 11 - and the pride he felt during that time.
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"The centennial filled all of us with pride ... all of us West Virginians," Tomblin said. "It's a day I will never forget. Fifty years from now, people will still be talking about this great celebration and all those around the state of West Virginia. Today, everyone in this room is bursting with pride because they can say they are West Virginians.
"And today, I'm proud to be the 35th governor of the 35th state in the Union."
During the event, Travis Henline, Independence Hall site manager, portrayed Francis Pierpont, the governor of the Restored Government of Virginia. Henline presented the farewell speech Pierpont gave in Wheeling on June 20, 1863, when West Virginia became a state. Jeremy Richter of Wheeling portrayed Arthur Boreman, West Virginia's first governor, and presented Boreman's speech from that date.
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Introduced during the event was Wheeling lawyer Harry Buch, who served in the Legislature from 1958 until 1964. Buch participated in the centennial events at West Virginia Independence Hall.
"In 1963, we all had to wear costumes," Buch said. "It was a fabulous time, and one of those things you never forget."
Northern Panhandle lawmakers also presented Wheeling Mayor Andy McKenzie with a check for $20,000 to help defray the cost of the sesquicentennial celebration in the city. City leaders had anticipated the 150th birthday celebration would cost Wheeling about $130,000.
Fact Box
Fact Box
TODAY'S WEST VIRGINIA'S SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION EVENTS
West Virginia Independence Hall
- 10 a.m.: Presentation of maquette of Gov. Francis Pierpont
- Noon: "150 Years: West Virginia Sesquicentennial Celebration!" Commemorative ceremonies and historical re-enactments throughout the day to celebrate the 150th anniversary of West
Virginia's statehood, bell ringing, speeches,
35-gun salute with choir and cannons, birthday cake
- Noon to 3 p.m.: State Legislature committee meetings and tours
- 2-3 p.m.: Concert, Wildcat Regiment Band
Heritage Port
- 4:30-7 p.m.: West Virginia Day Concert, National Pike Pickers and Joseph Sisters
- 7:30-10 p.m.: West Virginia Day Concert,
premiere of "Forever Free, Fanfare Overture for West Virginia," by Wheeling Symphony
Orchestra; "Lincoln Portrait," narrated by
Senate President Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall;
guest performances by Johnny Staats,
Kathy Mattea and Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.
- 8 p.m.: Sesquicentennial poem by West
Virginia Poet Laureate Marc Harshman
- 10 p.m.: Fireworks
Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack &
West Virginia Northern Community College
- 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Legislature committee meetings
Interstate 70 Travel Center, mile marker 13
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Holiday celebration
First State Capitol Building, 15th & Eoff streets
- 2-4 p.m.: Tours of facility
Marshall County
- 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Legislature committee meetings and tours at Grave Creek Mound and Grand Vue Park, Moundsville
McKenzie also spoke of Wheeling's role as the birthplace of West Virginia, and the pride he feels at being mayor of such a historic city.
