More than 58,000 West Virginians served in World War 1, including nearly 3500 from Harrison County. 

Forty-two of those who served were women, including one who was among the 76 who lost their lives during the war. The Harrison County West Virginia Historical Society will be honoring  local veterans from the Great War on Veteran’s Day with both a virtual and a physical exhibit, showcasing artifacts 

 

Harrison County educator Michael Spatafore has been interested in starting a history museum in Clarksburg for more than a decade. Last year, he formed a committee of interested citizens, including Harrison County Historical Society Executive Director Crystal Wimer, who has also been passionate about preserving local history.

 

The committee is now divided into subcommittees that include fundraising, renovations, artifact collecting, and the development of a gift shop.  The museum will not be fully operational until late 2019, but the first event will be a salute to the military veterans on November 12. 

 

Local members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legions will be displaying military artifacts at the Clarksburg History Museum exhibit, which will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Nov. 12-15.  The museum is located on the second floor of the Harrison County Board of Education at 445 West Main Street in Clarksburg.

 

“We will have a very large flag with 48 stars on it, a nurse’s uniform for WW2, guns, military artifacts, and more on display,” said Spatafore.  “We are also planning to have an Open House on December 15 that will feature several guest speakers, entertainment, refreshments and a tour of the museum.”

 

The Harrison County West Virginia Historical Society will be sponsoring an online exhibit that will be live at 11:11 a.m. on November 11 at www.harrisoncowvhistoricalsociety.org The virtual exhibit, named “World War 1 in Harrison County,” will commemorate the centennial of the end of the first World War.  

 

“We will give people an idea of what it was like stateside during the war,” said Wimer.  “We will have a patriotic focus with local artifacts, clippings, maps, charts and fundraising efforts online for viewers to look at.  We will update as needed if additional resources arrive.”

 

In addition to the two Veteran’s Day events, the Harrison County Historical Society will also be hosting a History and Culture Roundtable on Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Waldomore. The event will feature representatives from several area historical agencies that will be working collaboratively to highlight local history.  It is free and open to the public.  

 

“Through the roundtable discussion, we hope to network, find ways to educate, and make plans for having the various agencies work together to preserve and celebrate Harrison County history,” said Wimer.