As he revealed the newest improvements to the State Capitol Building on his eighth and last West Virginia Day as governor, Jim Justice urged all citizens to value the state’s history, arts, and culture.
Justice dedicated the first four of eight murals, which feature scenes from West Virginia’s history and traditions, on Thursday morning. First Lady Cathy Justice and English bulldog Babydog were also present.
Our soul is that. We are that,” Justice remarked. “We forfeit our soul when we give up who we are as individuals. Without a doubt, our culture, history, and arts give us back so much that it’s astounding. We are unable to part with our souls.
The State Capitol Building’s upper rotunda has the lunettes, which are half-moon-shaped openings beneath the golden dome that are home to the first four murals. We are considering four additional murals in the trapezoidal regions next to the lunettes.
The murals show scenes from the Battle of Philippi, considered by some historians as the first land battle of the American Civil War; a scene overlooking Harpers Ferry, the Potomac River, and John Brown’s Fort; a scene displaying glassblowing, blacksmithing, basket weaving, quilting, music, and the state’s natural wonder; and the final mural shows an artistic perspective of the Great Seal of the State of West Virginia.
The murals were initially envisioned by Capitol architect Cass Gilbert, according to Randall Reid-Smith, cabinet secretary of the Department of Arts, Culture, and History. However, Gilbert’s budget was constrained in 1929 when the Great Depression struck.
Reid-Smith stated, “They started the building’s west wing in 1924, the east wing in 1926, the building’s front in 1928, and the Great Depression struck in 1929.” “We were reading a letter from Gov. (William) Conley to Cass Gilbert, and there were a few items that weren’t on the original invoice. His goal was for the murals to have both historical and allegorical significance.
“There was a time on my first days that it was really discussed that we really needed to get rid of our history and culture and arts, because we didn’t have the money to fund it, even though it was crumbs,” Justice said.
But since 2017, the state has enjoyed multiple tax revenue surpluses that have allowed Justice and the Legislature to restore funding to the now-named Department of Arts, Culture and History. Reid-Smith’s title was changed from curator to cabinet secretary. The department maintains several museums and archeological sites; participates in the History Bowl and Golden Horseshoe programs; manages West Virginia Public Broadcasting; provides several grants; and manages historic preservation projects.
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