The Summer2021 Exhibit at the UCHS History Center Museum was carried over from 2020, entitled: We grew most everything we ate: The History of  food,  farming, and foodways in Upshur County.  For the 2021 variant, we had added an introduction to the exhibit that began in the historic garden outside which contained many heirloom flowers and vegetables.  We even grew a few plants of “Mountain Burley” the heirloom tobacco that was a regional favorite.   The garden was introduced with signage on the exterior door frame asking the visitor to name as many unusual and heirloom plants that they recognized.  The garden contained “old fashioned” Love Lies Bleeding, Sorghum plants, Blackberry Lily, Cherokee Red and Brandywine tomatoes, zinnias, and even some herbs, onions, and red potatoes.   We had a Native American style “Purple Martin bird house tree” made from birdhouse gourds.  The garden extended to the inside where we offered for sale Maple Syrup, Sorghum Molasses, Local honey and a variety of fresh produce each week.   We want to thank Donnie and Lorelie Tennney of Appalachian Acres for supplying all summer the fresh produce and some of the garden plants; Terry Jo and Dale Bennett from Maple Lawn Farm for their honey; and Delmuth and Marcella Kelley for sharing their bee supplies and  equipment for the exhibit inside.  These three businesses are all our good neighbors from the Tallmansville area.  We had nearly 200 visitors and many were return guests from 2020 but found lots of new features for an enjoyable afternoon.

We do plan to be open for the regular season in 2022.  Our exhibit for this season is one that came from a visitor’s remark in that it was unfortunate that we couldn’t speak to every aspect of Upshur County in one exhibit.  Well! We have tried for the past thirty plus years to spell out some particular aspect of Upshur County’s rich history through our specific topic exhibits as well as our in depth researched publications.  But we are “gluttons for punishment” and our Summer2022Exhibit will be an overwhelming attempt to satisfy our visitor.   With that, the exhibit will be titled “From the Ice Age to the Modern Age: A Chronological Timeline of Upshur County History.   It should be interesting, so stop by and visit with us this summer.

Be sure to visit the History Center Museum between early June and the end of September, 2022, Sunday afternoons, 1-4pm. . WE MAY STILL BE WEARING MASKS.  You won’t want to miss this one, so mark your calendars now.

Each summer we have many returning visitors and some who are visiting for the very first time.  We still have too many people who tell us that they want to make a visit but put it off until the exhibit closes.  Make a note on your calendar to visit the exhibit this summer.  We will look forward to seeing you there.  If you are

receiving this 2022 Journal you will also receive an exhibit card announcement nearer the beginning of the museum opening.