WVU History Department

06/02/2026

On June 18 at 2 p.m., the West Virginia & Regional History Center (WVRHC) invites the WVU community and the public to honor both America's semiquincentennial and West Virginia Day in the Milano Reading Room of the Downtown Library in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Join the History Center for an afternoon celebrating West Virginia Day 2026 and reflecting on the history and culture of the Mountain State in the last 250 years. West Virginia University Associate Professor of History Dr. William "Hal" Gorby will lead a panel discussion with graduates of the WVU History department who recently earned their master’s or doctorate focusing on a topic of West Virginia’s history, culture, or other related research.

Panelists include:
Dr. Kristen Bailey, Bargaining for Statehood: The Intersection of Capitalism and Politics in the Creation of West Virginia, PhD, 2025
Matthew Powell, White Paper and Black Water: Environmental Control of Labor in Appalachian Paper Mill Communities, MA, 2025
David Solomon, Not Far Enough: The West Virginia Human Rights Commission and the Civil Rights Movement, MA 2025
Dr. Jack Weaver, Rifles and Riflemen: Material Culture, Violence, and Early American Identity, 1720-1820, PhD, 2025

Immediately following the reception, the History Center will remain open for guests to be among the first to explore the new exhibit, “Mountaineers Are Always Free: West Virginia at 250.” This exhibit will feature the power of place in West Virginia, examine the people who call West Virginia home, and highlight stories of struggles for freedom and democracy across the state's history.

05/22/2026

Please join the WVU Libraries and the West Virginia & Regional History Center on Thursday, June 18 at 2 p.m in the Milano Room for a conversation with History faculty and alumni!

As America celebrates its semiquincentennial, we invite you to join us with WVU Libraries on Thursday, June 18 at 2 p.m., to honor both this momentous anniversary and West Virginia Day!

Kicking off the afternoon with birthday cake and a panel discussion, Dr. William "Hal" Gorby will lead a conversation honoring the history and culture that have shaped the Mountain State over the last 250 years.

After the reception, head up to the 6th floor to be among the first to explore the new exhibit, “Mountaineers Are Always Free: West Virginia at 250.” This exhibit will feature the power of place in West Virginia, examine the people who call West Virginia home, and highlight stories of struggles for freedom and democracy across the state's history.

Mark your calendar➡️ wvu.libcal.com/calendar/events/wv-day-2026

05/15/2026

Earlier this semester, Dr. Kate Staples participated in a history podcast, “That Shakespeare Life” with Cassidy Cash, to talk about her current research project. This project investigates the people and material culture involved in the sale of used clothing and goods in late medieval England. In this conversation, Dr. Staples talks about the medieval secondhand market that was alive and well during (and before!) William Shakespeare’s lifetime.

05/14/2026

Still looking for a summer course? Check out these online History classes!

05/11/2026

05/08/2026

Jordan Bennett, MA thesis, "Nuclear Reactions: Making Sense of the Accident at Three Mile Island"

Jillian Kendall, MA thesis, "'This, to Me, Was My Town': How Segregation Shaped Huntington, West Virginia's Black Community"

Jake Klinger, Ph.D. dissertation, “Divided Loyalties: Military Recruitment and Emancipation in Kentucky”

Rachel Nicholas, Ph.D. dissertation, “Forces of Movement: How Changing Perceptions of Slavery and Freedom Affected Black Lives in the Mason-Dixon Borderland, 1861-1872"

Sofiia Novytska, MA thesis, "Unsuccessful? Universal Human Rights and the United Nations: Russian Imperialism in Ukraine and the Post-UDHR International System"

05/07/2026

WVU History 2025 graduate Bailey South is making magic through the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World. Bailey is drawing upon the skills she honed in her classes at WVU in the History BA program to connect directly to her long-term goals in museums and museum education. From participating in Disney Heritage classes to networking with professionals across the company, Bailey is showing how a history degree can lead to opportunities far beyond the classroom.

We’re proud to spotlight the many paths our History graduates take and the impact they continue to make!

05/06/2026

Looking for a History course this summer? ☀️☀️☀️

05/06/2026

Congratulations to Ben Caltrider! Ben, a history and international studies major, has received a Critical Language Scholarship to study Mandarin in Taiwan this summer. Read more at WVU Today:https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2026/04/29/

A West Virginia University student with aspirations for a career in foreign service is a recipient of the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship, providing an opportunity to study a foreign language abroad this summer. Benjamin “Ben” Caltrider is a native of Charles Town who ...