Raleigh County, WV (WOAY) – Beckley is steeped in history, dating back decades.
So the Parks and Recreation Department, Raleigh County Historical Society, and the City love to gear up for Founder’s Day, the commemoration of the county seat’s spring 1838 origins.
Step back in time from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, May 31.
The annual ritual at Wildwood House Museum brings the area’s rich past to life with historical re-enactors, guided tours, carriage rides, and more.
“We are fortunate enough to have the house of our founder. A lot of people don’t,” said Parks and Rec Director Leslie Gray Baker.
According to Baker, they know exactly how it came about, how the land was deeded to the Beckley family, how the city was long just a paper city, and General Beckley was often made fun of.
“But he overcame that. You know, it’s the hub of Southern West Virginia,” the director said, adding that the exciting thing they are doing this year is unveiling a new sign. “We are officially part of the West Virginia Civil War Trails program now.”
There are 1,500 Civil War sites with markers spanning six states, Baker said, and Raleigh County did not have one.
“So we’re very pleased to be part of that,” she said. “Anybody that’s a Civil War buff, come out and see that there is quite a bit of history over there.”
