This article appeared in the Volume 3, Issue 3 Winter 2022 issue of the Appalachian Curator. Click here to view a PDF of the full issue. By Stewart Plein The history of West Virginia’s newspapers provides a valuable narrative of the state, from its war-torn separation from Virginia to its development as a state rich in natural resources and diverse populations. Newspapers reported the rapid growth of industry from coal mining to oil, lumber and glass. The variety of industry brought an influx of immigrant and African American populations who came to work in these burgeoning fields of commerce. Over five consecutive grant cycles, The West Virginia and Regional History Center…
