An Important Part of History
The West Virginia Mine Wars are one of the most important parts of the history of this state. The Mine Wars embody so much of what makes West Virginians special: hard work and big hearts, and, above all else, a passion for justice and fighting for what’s right. The 1921 Battle of Blair Mountain was an important moment in the ongoing fight for justice, and this year marks 100 years since the historic event. The Battle of Blair Mountain Centennial, AKA Blair100, will be hosting a variety of events and celebrations in acknowledgement of this historic anniversary.
Many of these events will take place throughout Southern West Virginia, with a major Centennial celebration kicking off in Charleston, West Virginia on Friday, September 3, and a retracing of the steps in the historic march of the miners from Marmet, West Virginia to Sharples, West Virginia, beginning the same day.
A handful of these activities will also take place in Mingo County. The big one will be a guided walking tour of Matewan, West Virginia, a place that sat at the heart of the Mine Wars in many ways, and the home of the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum. This tour will span from the days of the Hatfield-McCoy Feud, to the point where Matewan became “ground zero” for bloody conflict during the wars.
The Mine Wars Museum will also be hosting an exhibition of new art from artist Chris DeMaria, which will be open until June 2022.
West Virginia has a rich history, and the Mine Wars are an amazing part of that history. Learning about the power of our ancestors is empowering as well as educational, and there is plenty more information about the Battle of Blair Mountain, and the organizations behind these events, here. To keep yourself updated on the events taking place, follow their Facebook page.