Today in Wheeling History: April 20—A special ceremonial session was held by the West Virginia Legislature at the old U.S. Custom House in Wheeling (1963).
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation of April 20, 1863 to certify West Virginia as a state on June 20th, the West Virginia Legislature convened a special ceremonial session at the old U.S. Custom House in Wheeling, which had a rich historical background. Once the Capitol of the pro-Union Reorganized Government of Virginia and the site of West Virginia’s statehood debates, the building had functioned as a custom house until a new federal building was constructed in 1907. It then served as a bank, liquor store, nightclub, and offices for Hazel Atlas Glass, and subsequently fell into disrepair until the 1963 legislative session brought about its rescue. The state purchased the building and leased it to the West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation, which undertook a restoration project spanning several decades. Today, the old Custom House, now known as West Virginia Independence Hall, is operated by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. (https://rb.gy/1yrqp) (https://rb.gy/4gcs4)
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation of April 20, 1863 to certify West Virginia as a state on June 20th, the West Virginia Legislature convened a special ceremonial session at the old U.S. Custom House in Wheeling, which had a rich historical background. Once the Capitol of the pro-Union Reorganized Government of Virginia and the site of West Virginia’s statehood debates, the building had functioned as a custom house until a new federal building was constructed in 1907. It then served as a bank, liquor store, nightclub, and offices for Hazel Atlas Glass, and subsequently fell into disrepair until the 1963 legislative session brought about its rescue. The state purchased the building and leased it to the West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation, which undertook a restoration project spanning several decades. Today, the old Custom House, now known as West Virginia Independence Hall, is operated by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. (https://rb.gy/1yrqp) (https://rb.gy/4gcs4)
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