July 12, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Catherine Daniel
(304) 558-2288, ext. 346

New Civil War brochures stress West Virginia’s role in history

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va.— The Division of Tourism today introduced a new Civil War Heritage brochure and its First Campaign Trail brochure to draw attention to West Virginia Civil War history. Both brochures list Civil War sites, direct tourists to each location and explain the significance of each site.

The Civil War Heritage brochure covers 25 significant sites in West Virginia’s Civil War history. The brochure also provides an overview of West Virginia’s pivotal role in the Civil War and details the road to West Virginia’s statehood.

“Being the only state born out of the Civil War, we need to highlight our role more,” said Betty Carver, commissioner of tourism. “We hope the brochures will encourage people to visit these sites and bring our proud and strong heritage to the forefront.”

The First Campaign Trail brochure is tailored specifically to the first Civil War logistical movement, which sought to secure control over western Virginia. The campaign includes 12 sites, beginning in Wheeling and ending in Bartow. Stops on the trail include Grafton, where the first casualty of the war occurred, and Philippi, where Union and Confederate troops first clashed.

The 25-member Civil War Task Force that authored the brochures worked to emphasize West Virginia’s importance, said Chelley Depp, executive director of Rich Mountain Battlefield and Historic District.

“West Virginia Civil War history has been overlooked for so long,” she said. “This is a huge opportunity to reach out to Civil War travelers and regular tourists looking for something to do.”

All of the Civil War Heritage sites are open to the public and the First Campaign Trail site markers will be up within four to six weeks, according to the Division of Tourism’s Special Projects Coordinator Andre Nabors. Nabors said the project and publications were partially funded by the Federal Highway Administration Transportation Enhancement Program that is administered by the West Virginia Division of Highways.

The free brochures are available at West Virginia welcome centers, convention and visitors bureaus, museums, historical societies and by calling 1-800-CALL-WVA.

# # #