West Virginia Turns 150 Years Old

My wonderful state turned 150 years old last weekend.  And in true WV style, the people came together for an amazing celebration.  The grounds of Charleston was covered with fun things to do for all members of the family.  It was a very hot day and we had our National Guards Men and Women there handing out bottle water and manning the First Aid tents.  They also provided a rock wall for the kids to play on, which is where we spent most of our time.  

But the best part was the 3D movie which was played with the front steps as the back drop.  You will have to see it for yourself because no words can describe it. After the movie a stunning display of fireworks was launched from the Capitol's roof.  See below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y44dmxJFVu0

I know my state gets a bad rap but that is only because outsiders have no clue what the people of this state are really like outside of Hollywood movies.  Truth is West Virginia has many first in the USA that lot of people have forgot. 

• The only state in the Union to have acquired sovereignty by proclamation of the resident was WV.
• On July 1, 1921, WV was the first state to start sales tax. (That one really isn't that great).
• In 1926, WV opened the first federal prison exclusively for women in the US.
• On November 8, 1954, WV Memorial Tunnel became the first in the nation to be monitored by television.
• On October 6, 1896, Charles Town became the first rural free mail delivery, which then spread throughout the US.
• On December 3, 1787, James Rumsey launched the first steamboat in Shepherdstown.
• In 1908, Wheeling started the first outdoor advertising when the Block Brothers Tobacco Company painted barns and bridges with "Treat Yourself to the Best, Chew Mail Pouch."
• In 1928, WV's House of Delegates member, Mrs. Minnie Buckingham Harper, became the first African American woman to become a member of a legislative body in the US.
• On October 23, 1870, Charleston, WV laid the first brick street in the world on Summers Street.

I could go on and on but you get the point.  I love living here and having such a awesome "backyard" to play in.  We have white water rafting, rock climbing, hiking, camping, history, culture, four wheeling, fishing, boating, hunting, scuba diving and so much more.  

So before you judge West Virginia or it's people, why don't you just jump in your car and make your way here for a weekend and find out for yourself what a beautiful place it is.