Archiving Wheeling Local History Author Uncategorized

The Silver-Voiced Cyclone

Ohio County Public Library February 22, 2024February 23, 2024 1 Comment 879 Views

The Collection of Brother Cy Williams of Doc Williams & the Border Riders

By Sean Duffy, with Salli J. Barach

Note: Thanks to his niece Salli J. Barach, the Ohio County Public Library recently acquired a collection of artifacts once belonging to Cy Williams, fiddle player for the band, “Doc Williams & the Border Riders.” The artifacts are currently on display in the main exhibit area at the Library. Read Salli’s statement.

“Cy had a unique, smooth sound on the fiddle and, as brothers, we had a close harmony . . . As I look back, I was truly blessed to have him as part of my show.” – Doc Williams

Cy Williams with his sweet-voiced fiddle, Ca 1939. Photo by George Kossuth.

Milo Smik (1918-2006) was born July 31, 1918 to Slovak immigrant parents, Andrew and Susie Smik, in Cowansville, PA, north of Pittsburgh. Young Milo learned to play the fiddle from his coal miner father, who also played the Mandolin back in Prague. Read More

Ohio County Public Library Archives

Wheeling’s Santas Through Time

Ohio County Public Library December 14, 2023December 21, 2023 5 Comments 2423 Views

Cooey’s vs. Stone’s!

What if we asked people on social media to submit their long ago Wheeling Santa photos? What would that look like?

Here ya go:

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Archiving Wheeling Contributor Posts

Cartooning “Pa Wheeling”

Ohio County Public Library August 12, 2021August 12, 2021 Leave a Comment 5409 Views

Archiving Wheeling - Featured Image: Cy Hungerford and Pa Wheeling

Cy Hungerford Hones His Craft in the Friendly City

— written by Terri Blanchette

Few people in Pittsburgh today know of an institution who once graced their city with his people-centered perspective and sensitivity, and his great talent. Even fewer know that without five pivotal years spent in Wheeling, West Virginia, he would not have become the icon he was. Read More

Archiving Wheeling Local History Author Ohio County Public Library Archives

Archiving Wheeling Presents

Ohio County Public Library February 22, 2021February 24, 2021 3 Comments 5755 Views

Archiving Wheeling - Featured Image: African American Legends of Wheeling

Lesser Known Legends of Wheeling: African American Leaders

by Seán Duffy and Erin Rothenbuehler

On February 2, 2021, we presented a Lunch With Books Livestream program exploring the lives, times, and achievements of nine leaders of Wheeling’s African American community during the era of “Jim Crow” segregation, including: barber Henry Boose Clemens; police officer William Alexander Turner; firefighter Ashby Jackson; attorney Harry H. Jones; medical doctors Boswell Henson Stillyard, Julia Katherine Pronty Davis; Robert Maceo Hamlin; and Alga Wade Hamlin; and musician Will H. Dixon.

This post will serve as the penultimate supplement to our livestream video. A profile of Will H. Dixon will follow. Read More

Private Collector

Cups and Cups of Nostalgia

Ohio County Public Library December 1, 2016December 1, 2016 3 Comments 7923 Views

Hazel Atlas Milk Glass Cups

by Terry Woods

[Introductory note: After learning about the West Virginia Northern Community College Alumni Association’s Hazel Atlas Glass Collection currently on exhibit in the Board Room at the Ohio County Public Library in Wheeling, Terry Woods, from Texas, decided to loan his own amazing collection of more than 100 Hazel Atlas milk glass mugs to the library archives. These cups are painted with important themes for children of the fifties and sixties like Mr. Woods, including early TV westerns and space shows, as well as Christmas. After receiving the disappointing news that two-dozen of the fragile mugs were broken in transit, Mr. Woods worked tirelessly to replace them via online auctions. As a collector, he admitted to having a great deal of fun doing so. We thank Mr. Woods for sharing his collecting story.]

My first Hazel Atlas cup was a black Hopalong Cassidy I had as a kid. Our mom had to paint initials on two identical cups to determine which was mine and which was my sister’s.

The collection started when I found a blue Hoppy just after my wife and I got married in November of 1988. I then found a green Hoppy and a children’s circus themed mug. The quest was on! Read More

Uncategorized

Monument Man

Ohio County Public Library August 9, 2016August 16, 2016 Leave a Comment 3583 Views

Ed Bearss Visits Wheeling

Civil War expert and legendary battlefield guide Ed Bearss made his third visit to Wheeling on Saturday August 6 for a fundraiser in support of moving the Soldiers and Sailors Monument from Wheeling Park back downtown to stand beside West Virginia Independence Hall. A battle wounded WWII US Marine veteran, Mr. Bearss took a moment to visit the monument on a tour of Wheeling sites. He later attended a fundraiser dinner, then spoke at the Hall. The events were organized and hosted by the West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation with financial support from Wheeling Heritage. Those interested in making a donation may contact Wheeling Heritage at 304-232-3087.

Here’s the slideshow:

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