Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is April 11, 2024 

Let’s talk tourism and learning together and new careers. Governor Justice announces over $38M for economic enhancement projects. AND … historic, inspirational murals to adorn the State Capitol Rotunda…And now for the rest of the story - on today’s daily304…

#1 – From WV DEPT OF EDUCATION – The Governor’s School for Tourism (GST) equips students with knowledge of the tourism industry in West Virginia, taking students to key locations across the state that set West Virginia apart from other travel destinations. 

Register today if you are interested in a career in the Almost Heaven tourism industry. Hurry…applications are due before April 26.

Register now:

https://wvde.us/gov-schools/tourism/?utm_source=MarketingCloud&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Industry+Newsletter+4.1.2024&utm_content=https%3a%2f%2fwvde.us%2fgov-schools%2ftourism%2f

 

#2 – From WDTV – Governor Jim Justice has announced the approval of millions of dollars in funding for economic development projects. The announcement focused on the West Virginia Water Development Authority and the approval of 18 new projects worth more than $38 million.

Read more:

https://www.wdtv.com/2024/04/03/governor-justice-announces-over-38m-economic-enhancement-projects/

#3 – From WV PUBCAST – The scaffolding is up and artistic work is beginning on the first two of eight murals set to cover parts of the Capitol dome and rotunda. Cass Gilbert’s original plan from the state Capitol’s dedication in 1932 included a mural display. The murals will be installed at the third floor level of the Rotunda. The installation process will be phased, with four lunettes (semi-circular spaces above doorways) being completed first, followed by four pendentives (curved triangular sections supporting a dome). 

According to Secretary of West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture & History Randall Reid-Smith, the murals will be allegorical, interpreting liberty, justice, commerce and education – as well as historical, depicting Harpers Ferry in 1859, the Battle of Philippi, an arts celebration at Seneca Rocks and a historic state compilation.

Read more:

https://wvpublic.org/historic-inspirational-murals-to-adorn-state-capitol-rotunda/

 

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

 

In the latest episode of the What Makes You Wonderful podcast, Randall Reid-Smith, Cabinet Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History. We get the scoop on all the museums, special tours, and the state's vibrant arts and history scene that creates its identity. 

An adventure in the Mountain State’s history and culture is waiting just around the corner for you. Find out more here: www.wvculture.org.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is April 10, 2024 

The West Virginia Department of Commerce charts course for economic growth and energy innovation. New owner, new strategies drive Water Stone Outdoors. WV School of Osteopathic Medicine  assistant dean turns tragic events into opportunity to serve others - and now for the rest of the story…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WV NEWS –  The team at the West Virginia Department of Commerce — which includes the Division of Forestry, the Division of Labor, the Division of Natural Resources, Geological & Economic Survey, the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training, WorkForce West Virginia and the Division of Rehabilitation Services — has had numerous recent notable achievements. 

Among those achievements? Partnering with the job marketplace company Jobcase to launch a West Virginia-focused job database. Implementing the West Virginia Build Act. And designating Summersville Lake as the 36th state park, the first new park in 30 years.

Check out this interview with Secretary of Commerce James Bailey to read about more accomplishments and learn what’s in store for 2024. 

Read more:

https://www.wvnews.comn/ews/wvnews/west-virginia-department-of-commerce-charts-course-for-economic-growth-energy-innovation/article_af1771ca-dfb9-11ee-9e8c-73c59b9c9924.html

 

#2 – From THE DAILY OUTDOOR RETAILER – Holly Fussell recently celebrated the two-year anniversary of buying Water Stone Outdoors in Fayetteville, West Virginia.

Water Stone saw 25% growth in revenue from 2022 to 2023, which runs counter to the ongoing narrative in the outdoor industry that has struggled with inventory overhang and other macroeconomic challenges.

Fussell attributes that success to internal and external factors. Internally, she said she’s built a strong team and updated the store’s systems, including its POS program.

Externally, nearby New River Gorge was designated as a national park and preserve in 2020, and that has helped bring in customers who are either tourists visiting the area or locals who need supplies to explore the park, Fussell said.

The store has always been focused on climbing, but Water Stone is now offering a wider variety of products as well as an expanded coffee shop and a beer garden.

“We spent a fair amount of money transforming the back of the shop into a hangout spot,” Fussell said. One of the strategies there is to attract people to the store with lower price point opportunities like beverages.

Read more:

https://thedaily.outdoorretailer.com/news/brands-and-retailers/new-owner-new-strategies-drive-growth-for-water-stone-outdoors/

#3 – From WV GAZETTE-MAIL – Learn how a WVSOM dean turned tragedy into a learning opportunity on the  West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine’s statewide campus, where third- and fourth-year medical students complete clinical rotations. 

Michael Peterson found his real-world experience gave him a head start in the sciences. Where most students learn theory before practical applications, this part of Peterson’s education took place in reverse.

Emergency medicine is important and this gentleman is a leader.

Read more:

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/dailymailwv/daily_mail_features/wvsom-assistant-dean-turns-tragic-events-into-opportunity-to-serve-others/article_4d3a45a7-0402-5f11-bae6-426eb584530d.html

 

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

 

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

Settle back and enjoy a concert from your couch with the latest performance from Mountain State Music. Mountain Stage takes its show on the road to Morgantown on April 28. WV Explorer founder David Sibray talks about what inspired him to start the magazine…on today’s daily304.

 

#1 – From MOUNTAIN STATE MUSIC – The daily304 and Folklore Music Exchange are proud to present Mountain State Music Concert from the Folklore Stage in Charleston, West Virginia. 

Guests from the March 8 show include Kindred Valley and Noah Freeman. It’s a concert from your couch, so sit back, relax, and enjoy LIVE music from Almost Heaven West Virginia. And don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more great content.

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcKq4ZQHmOY

 

#2 – From MOUNTAIN STAGE – Hey Morgantown folks, get your tickets today! Mountain Stage Public Radio show returns to the WVU Canady Creative Arts Center on Sunday, April 28. Guest artists include Ruthie Foster, Charlie Mars, The Wandering Hearts, Fellow Pynins and Rebecca Porter.

Since 1983, Mountain Stage has been one of the most beloved programs in public radio history. Eclectic, authentic and unpredictable, the show’s varied guests have included iconic artists from John Prine and Townes Van Zandt to Wilco and Phish. Under the leadership of Grammy Award-winning country and bluegrass star Kathy Mattea since 2021, Mountain Stage continues to bring surefire energy and mountain music magic to parts known and unknown.

Order tickets:

https://mountainstage.org/event/ruthie-foster-charlie-mars-and-more-on-mountain-stage/

 

#3 – From INNOVATORS & ENTREPRENEURS – David Sibray is founder and editor of West Virginia Explorer magazine. For decades, this publication has helped people learn about West Virginia’s natural and cultural landscape.

“When I became a journalist in the 80’s, I had immediately fallen into doing stories on the mystique of the outdoors. What ended up happening is I heard this thing coming along called the internet, and I realized this could give me the ability to reach more people than print had up until that time,” he said.

Listen to David’s interview with Innovators and Entrepreneurs, a bi-weekly segment of the daily304 that features discussions and wisdom from West Virginians who have built their companies and launched new ideas here in the Mountain State. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more great content!

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2ENvfa-2GE

 

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

 

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Monday, April 8, 2024 

A major investment by NOAA paves way for advancements at the I-79 High Tech Park. Founders of the  WV Satellite Center discuss shooting for the stars. Get muddy as Tucker County springs to life…on today’s daily304.

 

#1 – From WV NEWS – The West Virginia High Technology Foundation has a number of projects in the works to help support its partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Foundation President and CEO Jim Estep hopes these projects will help accelerate the foundation and its I-79 Technology Park to the next level.

The park currently houses more than 30 company tenants and an estimated workforce of over 1,200, many of whom work at organizations like NASA, Mon Health and NOAA.

NOAA is planning a $300 million infrastructure expansion in the park, which is expected to triple their capacity to support high-performance computing systems like supercomputers. Part of the expansion will take it into the I-79 Technology Park’s “Phase III” development, an area of the park the foundation has been working to provide access to and make ready for companies and agencies to set up shop, Estep said.

He added that NOAA is set to sign a new 17-year lease for the remaining available space in the Robert H. Mollohan Research Center, a building in which NOAA has invested over $200 million since 2010.

“The lease will create enormous stability for the High Tech Foundation for a long time,” Estep said. “The infrastructure investment is going to position us to bring in more of the major programs that have major contracting associated with them. ... I haven’t been this excited about where we’re going in a long time.”

Read more:

https://www.wvnews.com/high-technology-foundation-strengthens-partnership-with-noaa-for-hundreds-of-millions-in-i-79-high/article_f9fa378c-dee6-11ee-b15a-97de874762ca.html

 

#2 – From THE DAILY304 –  David Martinelli and Scott Zemerick are spearheading the West Virginia Small Satellite Center, an innovative program that aims to solve real-world problems using state-of-the-art satellite technology. 

 

“What makes us unique is that we are an economic development initiative as well as an innovation initiative. So on one side, we are going to be doing innovation, and on the other side, we are going to make sure that innovation brings value and purpose toward economic development in West Virginia,” said Martinelli.

Check out the interview on Innovators and Entrepreneurs, a bi-weekly segment of the daily304 that features discussions and wisdom from West Virginians who have built their companies and launched new ideas here in the Mountain State. And don’t forget to subscribe to the daily304 YouTube channel for more great content!

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FQc896qpPI

 

#3 – From GET TUCKERED –  There is no doubt, April showers will bring May flowers. Between now and May, we will experience what is locally referred to as mud-season. Temperatures fluctuate, precipitation types diverge, peepers peep, the red hue of buds emerge from treetops. It’s a great time to get out and about in Tucker County.

Spring ramps have become in vogue over the years for good reason. They are delicious, extremely seasonal, and unique to Appalachia and West Virginia. This is a delicacy worth pursuing and can be experienced at a variety of Tucker County’s restaurants like Hellbender Burritos and Elender’s Global Cuisine. 

With the onset of spring comes West Virginia's annual trout stocking. An average of over two million trout are stocked per year.  Your odds are good for catching rainbow, brown, and golden trout in one of Tucker County’s lakes and streams.

The best way to stay dry during those April showers is perched behind the windshield overlanding Canaan Loop Road. The 17-mile loop takes you along native trout streams and towering red spruce forest so dense that the moss-covered ground never sees the light of day.  

Hiking trailheads along Canaan Loop offer many options to get out and stretch your legs. At the end or beginning of your trip be sure to stop at Lindy Point for endless views of the Blackwater Canyon.

Read more:

https://gettuckered.com/blog/the-art-of-mud-season/

 

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.

 

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Sunday, April 7, 2024.

FASTER WV invites food & beverage entrepreneurs to tour its new kitchen in Putnam County. The History Project travels memory lane to Marx Toys in Glen Dale. And the WV SBDC teams up with a Martinsburg barber shop to help grow the business…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From FASTER WV – The future Learning, Innovation, Food and Technology (LIFT) Center represents a transformative opportunity for the City of Charleston and our region ~ and it wants you to be part of it.

Join FASTER WV and fellow food and beverage entrepreneurs in Valley Park, Putnam County on April 24 as implementation of the vision develops. Attendees will tour the commercial kitchen, learn about grants and technical assistance available to food and beverage producers, and discuss your current needs as you grow your food and beverage business.

Register now:

https://airtable.com/appegPWSYEIyH4rR7/shrOmEwLheobw5kom?utm_source=Advantage+Valley&utm_campaign=4fd042b7ae-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_03_27_05_37_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-04b50449ea-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D

 

#2 – From THE HISTORY PROJECT –  Throughout history, children have written letters to Santa with the list of toys they wanted, under the idea they were created in his workshop. And they were…by extension of America’s Santa, Louis Marx, who built his busiest factory in the Northern Panhandle town of Glen Dale, where the classics of 20th century toys were made.

The History Project is the daily304’s presentation of famous people, places and events that shaped West Virginia. Watch the video and follow our YouTube channel for more great content!

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=Oopg9T-u71CcJ04P&v=eUhOD3YjwnY&feature=youtu.be

 

#3 – From WV SBDC  –  The folks at the Rugged Gentlemen’s Barbershop pride themselves on providing an authentic barbershop experience. The Martinsburg shop is owned and operated by a father and son team who are passionate about the craft of cutting and styling hair. 

Owner Austin Hale, a third generation barber, believes the barber shop is more than just a place to get a haircut. It’s a time honored American tradition and should serve as a pillar for the community.

However, traditions don’t survive through the generations without people who care about passing them on. To pass along the business of barbering to his children, Hale found that he needed more than just passion – he needed funding. 

Hale connected with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center and WV SBDC Business Coach Michael Boyd, who helped him create a business plan and find a lender.

“Because of the SBDC we are able to keep barbing in our family for a third generation with me and will hopefully continue on with a fourth generation with my kids,” Hale said. 

Read more:

https://wvsbdc.com/barber-shop-owner-opens-their-doors-with-the-support-of-the-west-virginia-sbdc/

 

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

 

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Saturday, April 6, 2024.

The WVEDA helps an iconic potato chip maker boost production and hire more workers at its Parkersburg plant. WV’s nightlife is hopping--from drive- in movies to casinos to stargazing. And visitation is up on Highland Scenic Highway…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WV COMMERCE – Mister Bee is the only potato chip made in West Virginia. New owner Mary Anne Ketelsen was determined to make sure the brand would be around for generations to come. 

When Ketelsen took over in 2018, the operation needed to be completely rehauled. Thanks to financing from the West Virginia Economic Development Authority, Mister Bee was able to triple their capacity, make new products, and hire more people.

Check out the video on YouTube and visit Mister Bee online to learn more about their tasty products. 

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2tA4mAlFhk

#2 – From WV TOURISM – As the chill of winter fades away, the spring awakening in West Virginia begins. The days get longer, and the nightlife is spirited. This season, capture the magic under the stars with some must-try activities in Almost Heaven. 

Grab some popcorn at the drive-in. Yes, drive-in movie theaters still exist, and West Virginia is home to several. Pipestem Drive-In Theatre is celebrating 50 years of movies. The town of Meadowbrook houses the Sunset Drive-In Theater and Ellis Restaurant, the oldest operating drive-in in the Mountain State. 

Check out one of West Virginia’s luxurious casinos and let the good times roll among the star-studded skies. For action-packed entertainment, visit the Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort in New Cumberland. Double down on the excitement at the Mardi Gras Casino and Resort just outside of Charleston. 

Take a trip to go stargazing. Calhoun County Park is a renowned location for an adventure at dusk. During your travels in Pocahontas County, swing by the Green Bank Observatory to view the largest fully steerable telescope.

Visit wvtourism.com to learn more and start planning your Almost Heaven adventure.

Read more:

https://wvtourism.com/3-late-night-adventures-to-try-this-spring-in-west-virginia/

 

#3 – From WV EXPLORER – Traveling through a windswept landscape of spruce and cranberry, a scenic parkway that explores some of the highest elevations in West Virginia is attracting more visitors.

The Highland Scenic Highway is now among the most popular scenic routes in the Mountain State, and it’s growing more popular as a destination by the year, especially in the last two years, according to area officials.

“There are many more visitors coming to Pocahontas County,” says Cara Rose executive director of the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau, “and while I don’t have traffic counts specifically for the highway, we're seeing more motorcycles and more cars with bikes and kayaks.”

The 43-mile parkway, which ascends into the Yew Mountains, a subset of the Allegheny Mountains, allows visitors to explore a variety of highland environments without walking far from the car—cranberry glades, spruce forests and the highest waterfall in the state.

Some must-sees along the way include the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center, the Falls of Hills Creek and Cranberry Glades Botanical Area.

Read more:

https://wvexplorer.com/2024/04/01/highland-scenic-highway-marlinton-west-virginia/

 

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

 

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Friday, April 5, 2024 

A major expansion at Northrop Grumman is expected to double its supply chain capacity. Check out some elevated getaways with stunning views in Almost Heaven. Learn how the National Defense Industrial Association supports our warfighters in #YesWV…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From THE DEFENSE POST – The US Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman a $178 million contract to expand the company’s Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in Bridgeport.

The agreement will see the construction of a center that will develop modular solutions for international solid rocket motor and warhead projects.

According to Northrop, the project will boost the lab’s capability to support future programs by doubling the supply chain capacity and securing production rates by 2026.

Upon its completion, the hub will employ advanced manufacturing methods for multiple products and streamline operations to decrease logistics burden and overall operational downtime.

Read more:

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2024/03/28/northrop-facility-west-virginia/ 

#2 – From WV TOURISM –  Natural in beauty, Almost Heaven has no shortage of extravagant views. Witness stellar sights while lodging at a luxury location and taking part in upscale activities. 

Indulge in the luxury accommodations offered at the Alpine-style chalet known as the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown. Take a dip in the infinity pool overlooking the Potomac River, or dine on scrumptious German fare and visit the on-site beer garden.

Have the lake getaway of your dreams with a trip to Stonewall Resort State Park. Stay lakeside in one of the offered grand houses and hit the waters on a kayak, CraigCat boat or pontoon. Visit the lodge to take part in top-tier dining, spa services, the indoor/outdoor pool and roasting s’mores on the patio. While here, don’t miss taking a swing on the award-winning Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course.

Visit wvtourism.com to learn more about luxury lodging in Almost Heaven!

Read more:

https://wvtourism.com/elevated-getaways-for-the-luxury-explorer/

 

#3 – From WV.GOV – The National Defense Industrial Association is a trusted leader in the defense and national security industry. For more than 100 years, NDIA and its predecessor organizations have been at the heart of the mission by dedicating their time, expertise and energy to ensuring our warfighters have the best training, equipment and support.

The West Virginia chapter, WVNDIA, supports national security by growing and enhancing the defense industry and federal contracting in West Virginia through networking, collaboration and increasing opportunities for business development.

Visit the West Virginia Department of Economic Development online to learn more about the defense industry in #YesWV.

Learn more:

https://westvirginia.gov/wvndia/

 

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

 

In this episode of What Makes You Wonderful, we get the details on this year's Lumberjack and Ramp Festival at Camp Creek State Park on Saturday, April 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Justyn Marchese tells us what makes this festival a must-visit for outdoor adventurers and foodies alike.

From exciting lumberjack competitions to mouthwatering ramp-inspired dishes, listeners get a sneak peek into the diverse activities and flavors. 

For more information you can check out their Facebook Page or click here. 

 

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Thursday, April 4, 2024,  

WMYW gets down and dirty with the Charleston Dirty Birds. Quilters, the Dept. of Arts, Culture & History wants submissions of your work for its juried exhibition. And the restored pavilion at historic Blue Sulphur Springs draws special event photo ops …on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WMYW – In this episode of What Makes You Wonderful, we had the pleasure of talking to Jill Gearin, manager of media relations for the Charleston Dirty Birds. Jill highlights the fun things you can get into this season, and reminds us the Charleston Dirty Birds offer an unforgettable experience for baseball enthusiasts of all ages. 

Opening day for the team is set for April 25. For more information about these events, get tickets, or purchase Dirty Birds gear, click here: dirtybirdsbaseball.com

Listen now:

https://daily304.libsyn.com/wmyw-hits-a-homerun-with-the-charleston-dirty-birds

 

 #2 – From FAYETTE TRIBUNE – The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History is accepting entries for the 2024 West Virginia Quilts and Wall Hangings Juried Exhibition.

This is the 43rd year for the exhibition, which will open Friday, May 24, with an awards ceremony at the annual Vandalia Gathering at the Culture Center, State Capitol Complex. The free summer-long exhibition will be displayed through Sept. 9.

Quilts and wall hangings, handmade or machine made, by West Virginia residents are eligible for the exhibition. Special consideration will be given to hand-quilted entries. The deadline for entries is 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 24.

 

Learn more:

https://www.fayettetribune.com/community/entries-accepted-until-april-24-for-juried-quilt-exhibition/article_8716abfc-ed2c-11ee-b105-373bf4803920.html

 

#3 – From WV LIVING – Blue Sulphur Springs in particular was once known for its healing waters. Today, it’s the site of a historical restoration project that has been decades in the making.

Before Europeans arrived, animals would have known the location of this spring in today’s Greenbrier County, West Virginia, and this probably led Native Americans to the site as well. William Patterson was likely the first white settler to discover the spring, when he was chased into a thornbush by a protective mother bison drinking with her calf in the late 1700s. 

Over the following 150 years, the property would change hands many times. The Blue Sulphur Springs Resort, built in the 1830s, quickly became a vacation destination. 

Today, only the pavilion remains. The Greek Revival–style, columned structure was built around the spring itself, which flows up through a well in the floor. Once grand, by the time it was donated to the Greenbrier Historical Society by Mrs. Rebecca Fleshman Lineberry in 2013, the pavilion was falling apart. 

With the help of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, private sources, and a Kickstarter campaign, the restoration began. The Blue is now open to the public and available for events like family reunions, weddings, and photography shoots. 

Read more:

https://wvliving.com/its-good-to-be-blue/

 

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.