MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. — Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex in Moundsville invites the public to attend programs on World War II and Black music in America, view two exhibits featuring local artists, and make a pinwheel toy at the Discovery Table. All programs are free and open to the public.
The Second Saturday program held at 1 p.m. on Aug. 12 will feature Kara Gordon from the Historic Cockayne Farmstead. She will present the farmstead’s World War II Traveling Trunk program. This interactive and object-based discovery of World War II era artifacts includes letters, photographs, booklets, and uniforms that tell the story of the Second World War as experienced by residents of Marshall County. This program is recommended for ages 10 and up.
On Saturday, Aug. 19, a program titled “A History of Black Music in America” will be presented by Ron Scott Jr. starting at 1 p.m. and will include live performances from local artists led by Ezra John, musical clips and local historical information. This unique program, presented in partnership with YWCA Wheeling, will take a journey through time, examining the contributions of Black artists to American music. Starting with Negro Spirituals, it will follow the creative road map from jazz to blues, rock and roll to hip-hop and other genres in between.
The Complex is also proud to host two temporary exhibits featuring local artists. Betsy Cox, best known for her pottery and whose works can be purchased in the museum’s gift shop, is the Featured Artist for August. Visitors can view a selection of her watercolor paintings during regular museum hours. The museum is also pleased to welcome the return of the annual National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Art Exhibit which will grace the walls of the Activity Room. This exhibit of two-and three-dimensional art will be on view August through September during regular museum hours.
The NAMI exhibit will serve as a backdrop for a Butterfly Watercolor Painting Workshop for Adults (18 years and older) that is planned for Friday, Sept. 8 from 1to 3 p.m. Artist Cheryl Childers will teach the art of using watercolors to complete a painting of a butterfly. Childers’ work is part of the NAMI exhibit and will be shown in the Featured Artist Exhibit in October. The workshop is offered free of charge, but pre-registration is required to ensure adequate supplies. To register, please call (304) 843-4128 or e-mail andrea.k.keller@wv.gov by Wednesday, Sept. 6.
Also, this month, visitors can use their own creativity at the museum’s Discovery Table, where they can make a pinwheel decorated with their own design. Catch a breeze with this colorful toy!
Operated by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex features one of the largest conical burial mounds built by the Adena people between 250 – 150 B.C. and ranks as one of the largest earthen mortuary mounds anywhere in the world. Exhibits and displays in the Delf Norona Museum interpret what is known about the lives of these prehistoric people and the construction of the mound. The complex also houses the West Virginia Archaeological Research and Collections Management Facility.
Admission to Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex is free. The Delf Norona Museum, located at 801 Jefferson Avenue, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday. Access to the Mound and other outdoor areas closes at 4:30 p.m.
For more information about activities and programs at Grave Creek Mound, contact Andrea Keller, cultural program coordinator, at (304) 843-4128 or andrea.k.keller@wv.gov or visit www.facebook.com/gravecreekmound and www.instagram.com/gravecreekmound.