Submitted by Bob Edwards
Public Relations Dept. Asst.
Glenville State College
Glenville, WV - A project that took over two years to complete is now on display on the third floor of the Mollohan Campus Community Center at Glenville State College. The exhibit features memorabilia including books, posters, photographs, artifacts and written history celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the New Deal in Gilmer County.
The project is the result of a collaborative effort of many people: the Gilmer County Historical Society, Glenville State College, the Vandalia Heritage Foundation, and West Virginia University Archive History instructor Larry Sypolt and two of his students. Sypolt is also responsible for developing the GSC Archives. The display celebrates the New Deal and what it meant to the citizens of Gilmer County. The Vandalia Heritage Foundation provided $40,000 to fund the project.
The exhibit was unveiled during a luncheon hosted by GSC President Dr. Peter Barr and his wife Betsy on Monday, March 24th in the MCCC Ballroom. Congressman Alan Mollohan, who was instrumental in helping fund the project through the Vandalia Heritage Foundation, was the guest speaker.
(L-R) GSC President Dr. Peter Barr, Congressman
Alan Mollohan, Betsy Barr, and Larry Sypolt
Mollohan spoke on how President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal aided America during the nation's financial emergency. "FDR's New Deal was a hand up, not a hand out to America," said Mollohan. He told the audience that New Deal Projects in Gilmer County included forty roads being built or resurfaced, seven new bridges were built, The Gilmer County Jail and County Garage were constructed, the gym at Normantown School was built, and Louis Bennett Hall and the rock retaining wall along High Street were constructed at Glenville State College.
"This exhibit depicts Gilmer County's depression experience and the positive impact that the New Deal had on the county that is still evident today," said Mollohan.
The 75th Anniversary of the New Deal in Gilmer County exhibit is believed to be the first of its kind in the state. The public is invited to view the display in room 320 of the Mollohan Campus Community Center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for the remainder of the spring semester. The exhibit will be moved to the Gilmer County Historical Society in late May where it will be on display through the Folk Festival in June. The project will then be placed on the Gilmer County Historical Society website and in the Glenville State College Archives.
For more information about the 75th Anniversary of the New Deal in Gilmer County exhibit at Glenville State College, contact Betsy Barr at (304) 462-7302.
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