Appalachian History

Weston Hospital in Lewis County, WV, officially named the West Virginia Hospital for the Insane upon completion of the facility shown here in 1880, was typical of the many that were established throughout the country. Its design reflected the Kirkbride plan in action. Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride’s theory centered on what he referred to as [...]

William E. Carpenter shot these 8×10 glassplate photographs at the scene of a November 17, 1901 fire in Freemansburg, WV. According to the Weston Independent of November 19, 1901, the fire destroyed the businesses of Robinson and Hall and C. H. Taylor, the post office (in Robinson and Hall), and the Grange Hall. Lost were [...]