Mission Statement 

The West Virginia Semiquincentennial Commission was created by the West Virginia Legislature, through the passage of House Bill 2916 on April 7, 2021, to support the celebration of the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. The Legislature finds that the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding is of such historical significance as to warrant its commemoration. The purpose of the Commission is to prepare for and commemorate the semiquincentennial.

Commissioners

Statutory Members

  • Randall Reid-Smith – Chairman
  • James Bailey, Department of Commerce, Cabinet Secretary
  • Mitch Carmichael, Department of Economic Development, Cabinet Secretary
  • Chelsea Ruby, Department of Tourism, Cabinet Secretary
  • Jill Upson, Executive Director, Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs
  • Charles Morris, West Virginia State Museums – Director
  • Aaron Parsons, West Virginia State Archives, State Historian and Archivist
  • Michelle Blatt, West Virginia State Superintendent of Schools
  • Joey Wiseman, West Virginia Department of Education – Superintendent’s Designee
  • Brian Aluise, Designee for U.S. Senator Joe Manchin
  • Shelley Moore Capito, United States Senator
  • Todd Gunter, Designee for U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito
  • Carol Miller, Congresswoman 1st District
  • Darian David, District Director for Congresswoman Carol Miller, West Virginia 1st District
  • Grace Mooney, Designee for Congressman Alex Mooney 2nd District
  • Craig P. Blair, West Virginia State Senate, President
  • Jack David Woodrum, West Virginia 10th District, West Virginia Senate Designee
  • Roger Hanshaw, West Virginia House of Delegates, Speaker
  • Jeff Stevens, West Virginia 6th District, West Virginia House of Delegates Designee

Citizen Members

  • Beth Bloch, Charleston
  • Kayla Lantz, Clarksburg
  • Zachary Northup
  • Kelly Williams, Moorefield
  • Amy Panzarella, Charles Town

Sons of the American Revolution

  • Jay Frey, Wheeling

Daughters of the American Revolution

  • Lisa McNeil – Wheeling

Three Collegiate History Professors

  •  Dr. Melissa Bingmann, West Virginia University, Morgantown
  •  Dr. David Javersak, West Liberty University (Retired), Wheeling
  •  Dr. Rodney Montague, Bluefield State College, Princeton

Upcoming Meetings

November 13, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. — The Green Room of The Culture Center
State Capitol Complex | 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East | Charleston, WV 25305-0300