Collections : [West Virginia and Regional History Center]

West Virginia and Regional History Center

West Virginia & Regional History Center
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6069
1549 University Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26506
Primary Collecting Areas:
West Virginia and Appalachia History and Culture
Description:
The West Virginia & Regional History Center preserves and provides access to the records that document the history and culture of the state and the central Appalachian region. The Center is part of West Virginia University Libraries.
POC: Lori Hostuttler
Phone: (304) 293-3536
Start Over Repository West Virginia and Regional History Center Subjects United States Navy - USS WEST VIRGINIA.

Deb Green, Collector, Battleship USS West Virginia Memorabilia, 1936/1940 2.5 Linear Feet Summary: 2 1/2 in. (1 document case, 2 1/2 in.); (1 oversize folder, 8 items)

Material regarding the battleship USS West Virginia (commissioned 1923, decommissioned 1947), including photographs, memoranda, "orders of the day," radio messages, press summaries, menus ("bill of fare"), programs for holiday and recreational events, wing fabric from a USS West Virginia plane, and newspapers with articles regarding the ship. Material mainly regards the day-to-day operations of the ship and its crew, as well as special events such as holidays, sports competitions, and film showings. Material within this collection dates from before the entry of the United States into World War II.
  1. West Virginia and Regional History Center

Milton Cohen Papers, 1946/2006 10.25 Linear Feet 10 ft. 3 in. (10 records cartons, 1 flat storage box)

Cohen, Milton, 1906-2008
Papers of Milton Cohen, a Morgantown resident, businessman, World War II veteran, and community activist. The collection contains records in 11 series, including: 1.) Biographical Information, 2.) USS West Virginia, 3.) Tree of Life Synagogue, 4.) Sidler's Department Store, 5.) Morgantown, 6.) Monongalia County, 7.) Charities and Non-profit Organizations, 8.) CLOLA [Concerned Love Ones and Lotowners Associations], 9.) Environmental Issues, 10.) Audio-Visual Material, and 11.) Oversize. Series 2, USS West Virginia, includes historical narratives, clippings, and photographs regarding the USS West Virginia, its bell, mast, and the bell ringing ceremony on the West Virginia University campus. Series 5, Morgantown, regards projects and protests by Cohen and citizens groups involving BFI Waste Management, Century Cable, the Morgantown City Council, and building, zoning, and planning pertaining to Morgantown. Series 8, CLOLA [Concerned Love Ones and Lotowners], includes records regarding CLOLA suing the Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens owner Richard Pence and Sandridge Coal Company for strip mining cemetery land. Series 9, Environmental Issues, includes records related to Cohen's involvement in several environmental issues and protests. See the scope and content note for a complete listing and description of series.
  1. West Virginia and Regional History Center

Reverend C. Shirley Donnelly Collection, 1731/1992, bulk 1860/1980 2.34 Linear Feet (3 document cases, 5 in. each); (1 document case, 2.5 in.); (1 flat storage box, 3.5 in.); (2 flat storage boxes, 3 in. each); (1 flat storage box, 1 in.); (1 oversize folder, 0.1 in.)

Donnelly, C. Shirley, Reverend

Reverend C. Shirley Donnelly, a Baptist minister and local historian, collected these materials for his own research and interest in West Virginia history. The collection contains various materials pertaining to coal mining and West Virginia history, especially in the New River area and Fayette County. It includes correspondence, land grant and deed records, pamphlets, journals, local histories, records, photographs, and art relating to mining and life in the New River area. One set of correspondence includes recollections, a yearbook, and newspaper clippings by a World War II sailor from the USS West Virginia. Another series of correspondence includes the antebellum, wartime, and postwar letters and personal receipts of Charles Dequasie, a Confederate soldier from Fayette County, West Virginia, and Robert Edward Dequasie's personal and business correspondence. Other ephemera includes West Virginia and mining journals and certificates belonging to Donnelly and others. A scrapbook and notebook of newspaper clippings pertain to early court hangings and executions in West Virginia. Political posters include those for West Virginia Governor William C. Marland and West Virginia Senators Harley Kilgore and Robert Byrd.

  1. West Virginia and Regional History Center

USS West Virginia Commemorative Book, 1944 .01 Linear Feet 1/4 in. (1 folder)

West Virginia (Ship)

Battleship USS West Virginia commemorative book entitled "Crossed the Equator Again" documenting a tradition performed on the ship when it crosses the equator. Includes photographs, cartoons, and humorous text.

  1. West Virginia and Regional History Center

USS West Virginia, Commemorative Pin and Challenge Coin, 2016 .01 Linear Feet 1 item (1 folder)

USS West Virginia 75th anniversary commemorative pin, inscribed with text reading "75, Remember Pearl Harbor, 1941". This pin was handed out at a 75th anniversary commemorative event at the downtown library of West Virginia University Libraries. There are two copies of this pin in this collection. There is also in the collection a USS West Virginia BB-48 Challenge Coin in a plastic case with an image of the vessel printed on the coin.

  1. West Virginia and Regional History Center

USS West Virginia Life Preserver, 1941 0.5 Linear Feet 6 in. (1 plexiglass-enclosed item)

Kendrick, Earl G. (Ken)

This life preserver, constructed of treated canvas over foam, was salvaged from the wreckage of the U.S.S. West Virginia (BB-48) after the surprise December 7, 1941 Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The life preserver measures 25 inches in diameter and includes the phrase, "U.S.S. W. Va. 1st Fire and Rescue Div" painted in red.

  1. West Virginia and Regional History Center

USS West Virginia, Navy Uniform of Granville R. Williams, 1941/2001 0.25 Linear Feet Summary: 3 in. (1 large flat storage box, 3 in.)

Jacobs, Martin
Dress white U.S. Navy uniform that belonged to Granville R. Williams, Gunner's Mate 2nd Class, who served aboard the USS West Virginia during the attack at Pearl Harbor. Williams survived the attack and was awarded the Purple Heart. His Purple Heart medal and five campaign and achievement medals adorn the uniform. There is also a photograph of Williams and a copy of the article 'The Horror of Pearl Harbor' from Militaria International magazine (May 2001) which includes a reminiscence by Williams of his Pearl Harbor experience.
  1. West Virginia and Regional History Center

USS West Virginia Papers, 1963 0.01 Linear Feet Summary: 1 in. (1 folder)

Alpha Phi Omega

One folder of letters, photographs, and newspaper clippings relating to the arrangements to bring the mast of the USS West Virginia to the WVU Campus

  1. West Virginia and Regional History Center

USS West Virginia Papers, 1967/1988 0.25 Linear Feet Summary: 2 1/2 in. (1 document case)

Alpha Phi Omega

Materials concerning the dedication of the bell of the armored cruiser U.S.S. West Virginia, December 7, 1967. Items include program, invitation, diagram of proceedings, and newspaper clippings of dedication.

  1. West Virginia and Regional History Center

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