Charleston Gazette-Mail
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A permanent outdoor history exhibit on the West Virginia Capitol Complex grounds in Charleston is moving forward, but it’s overdue and overbudget.
The exhibit, located just south of the Culture Center and titled “West Virginia: Nature Designs a State that Fuels a Nation,” was announced by then-Gov. Jim Justice in August 2023. It is part of the “America 250 WV” legacy project. It will highlight 11 industries and the natural resources central to West Virginia’s industrial role for the nation. The exhibit will feature coal, oil, gas, iron and steel, clay, chemicals, salt, agriculture, timber, glass, water and railroads. The exhibit will include a scenic pathway and waterfall, along with display cases containing artifacts from each industry.
An allocation, approved by lawmakers, will also fund repairs and renovation to the sunken garden beds outside of the Culture Center at the east end of the project.