West Virginia: Overview of the State
West Virginia Secures Significant Grants for Historical Preservation and Digital Archives
West Virginia is making strides in preserving its rich history, with several notable grants awarded for records and publications projects. The standout grant is the federal funding of $1.5 million, which will be used to expand the American Congress Digital Archives Portal based at West Virginia University Libraries.
The American Congress Digital Archives Portal, a national consortium of congressional archives, will receive this substantial funding to digitize more items from the congressional archives of Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole. The grant also includes funds for expanding K-12 civics and history education programs in Kansas connected to the portal.
Other significant projects include the digitization of the Papers of Frederick Douglass, an important digital archival project available through the Library of Congress. The Papers of Frederick Douglass preserve the papers of the 19th-century abolitionist, providing key primary source materials on African American history and abolitionism.
In addition, the Brooke County Library Foundation will receive $194,660 to digitize the Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Collection. The Congressional Education Foundation is also providing $250,000 to digitize archival records of West Virginia's Congress members.
The West Virginia State Historical Records Advisory Board is receiving $39,850 to analyze the current condition of historical records in the state, while the West Virginia Division of Culture and History is receiving $2,226,000 for the West Virginia State Archival Facilities Renovation Project. The West Virginia Division of Culture and History is also receiving $9,906 in partial support of its administrative expenses for one year.
West Virginia University is not left behind in these funding initiatives. The university is receiving $1,500,000 to support the American Congress Digital Archives Portal, $53,989 for the Papers of Frederick Douglass (1994-97), $18,483 for the Papers of Mary Harris "Mother" Jones (1981), and $1,000 for travel funds for its fellowship in historical editing of the Papers of Frederick Douglass (97-086).
The total funding for all projects is now $4,481,497. Other grants include $17,931 for West Virginia University to make safety negatives and copy prints of historical photographs of West Virginia and Appalachia, $150,000 to process and digitize 40 feminist collections, and $16,745 for a one-year planning project by the West Virginia State Historical Records Advisory Board.
The City of Charleston is receiving $2,933 for consultation on establishing a city website, and the Greenbrier Historical Society received a 2025 Local Economic Development Assistance Grant to support their Hidden History project, which encompasses preserving local historical artifacts and exhibits.
These grants underscore West Virginia's commitment to preserving its history and making it accessible to a wider audience, ensuring that the stories of the past continue to inspire and educate future generations.
The American Congress Digital Archives Portal, as part of the education-and-self-development initiative, will use the received grant to expand digital archives and civics education programs for K-12 students in Kansas. The grant will also contribute to the digitalization of items from the congressional archives of Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole.
The West Virginia State Historical Records Advisory Board, likewise focused on education-and-self-development, will analyze the current condition of historical records in the state, aiming to provide future researchers with a better understanding of West Virginia's history.
