The Origins of Memorial Day
Frozen in Time: May 30, 1911 at Mt. Zion Cemetery
Now known as Memorial Day, the first “Decoration Day” was held on May 30, 1868. Created by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), it was originally intended to be a day to honor the memory of those who died in the Civil War. Congress made “Memorial Day” an official, national holiday in 1971.
Wheeling played host to reunions of Civil War veterans of the G.A.R. numerous times in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The J. W. Holliday Post, No. 12, of Wheeling was usually front and center during these activities. Read More
The Great Unrolling of the USS Wheeling
Earlier this year, we discovered among our many items stashed away here at the library, a tightly rolled photo labeled “USS Wheeling.” The photograph could be unrolled safely only a few inches, revealing just a few lonely crewmen. Being able to unroll only the first three crewmen left so many questions: Where was this photograph taken? When was it taken? What lie beyond these first crewmen? Can you see the USS Wheeling in the background? Are you curious what else is inside? So were we. Read More
Archiving Wheeling: the Evolution of a Local History Collection
Many people in our community are familiar with the Ohio County Public Library’s Wheeling Room which houses a large local history collection and many genealogical resources. Fewer people, however, are aware of the Ohio County Public Library’s substantial archival collection.
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Happy Thanksgiving!
A facsimile of a Proclamation for the Thanksgiving day in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, June 29, 1676. From the book “The Fast and Thanksgiving Days of New England,” written by William DeLoss Love in 1895 (in the collection of the Ohio County Public Library).