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Department of Health and Human Resources
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1881
The West Virginia Board of Health was established Other events that happened on or around 1881 Booker T. Washington married his first wife, Fannie Smith, at the African Zion Baptist Church West Virginia contracted with Storer College in educating African-American teachers Congress gave $5,000 to Smithsonian to conduct excavations relating to prehistoric Mound Builders George Atkinson wrote After the Moonshiners West Virginia's first general banking law repealed Legislature elected Johnson N. Camden to the U.S. Senate Nathan Goff Jr. served as secretary of navy under President Hayes West Virginia Board of Health was established George Imboden became the president of the Fayette County Commission Jacob Beeson Jackson began service as governor John Jacob was appointed Ohio County circuit judge The lock and dam on the Elk River was removed Joseph Long moved to Wheeling William MacCorkle married Belle Goshorn Henry Mathews returned to Lewisburg C.F. Millspaugh received a medical degree from the New York Homeopathic Medical College The Norfolk & Western Railway was a result of a merger between the Atlantic, Mississippi & Ohio Railroad and Shenandoah Valley Railroad Daniel Purinton became vice-president and acting president of West Virginia University. William Rosecrans served in Congress from California Johann Stifel died Frederick Douglass spoke on the campus of Storer College The current Monroe County courthouse was built in Union Alexander Wade published A Graduating System for Country Schools West Union was incorporated The first West Virginia State Fair was held at Wheeling Island Albert White moved to Parkersburg Emanuel Wilson finished his service in the House of Delegates Thomas Davis moved with his family to Huntington
1915
The Mother's Pension Law was enacted Other events that happened on or around 1915 Harry Stansbury contacted high schools across the state to participate The Belle Alkali Company started a plant near Belle The Warner-Klipstein Chemical Company started A Clarksburg newspaper became the Exponent-American First land for the Monongahela National Forest acquired Legislation gave authority to Forest, Game and Fish Warden to establish refuges for protection of wild game and birds Reinforced concrete began with C.A.P Turner Monument erected at Fort Lee site to mark the beginnings of Charleston Fostoria Glass's popular "American" pattern was fist designed and patented West Virginia Bureau of Mines reported 1,479 hand-loading miners employed at Gary The Board of Health was replaced by the Department of Health Local timbering brought a narrow-gauge railroad to Helvetia The word "hillbilly" appeared in the title of a Harper's Monthly travel article, "Hobnobbing with Hillbillies" A 5-acre tract of land at Jackson's Mill was purchased by the Monongahela Power Company William "Keg" Purnell was born in Charleston Ann Baker was born Mother Jones testified before another congressional committee The New River & Pocahontas Consolidated Coal Company operated a series of drift mines at Layland, Fayette County Legislature passed bill to empower cities and towns to levy taxes for public libraries and reading rooms A monument to General Joseph Lightburn was placed at Vicksburg National Battlefield Park The Marcus family relocated to Farmington Marietta Manufacturing Company began operation in Point Pleasant The Concrete Steel Bridge Company built the Alderson bridge across the Greenbrier River Legislation called for provision for preventing underground mine fires and requiring foremen and fire bosses to pass state examination and receive state certification Margaret Montague published Closed Doors Ephraim Morgan was appointed to the Public Service Commission by Governor Hatfield Descendents of Hunter John Myers left the Sleepy Creek Mountain area A member of the Church of Nazarene moved to Mannington and started a church in his house Greasy Neale graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College Greasy Neale played with the Canton (Ohio) Bulldogs Herschel C. Ogden became the owner of the Parkersburg News The legislature removed Workmen's Compensation from the Public Service Commision Dr. Burke offered the state of West Virginia property for use as a tuberculosis sanatorium Frederick Rhead received a gold medal at the San Diego Exposition for his design of mirror black pottery glaze Rat Rodgers lettered in football Benjamin Rosenbloom served as state senator from Wheeling The state legislature passed a primary law that made it difficult for third parties to be on the ballot The West Virginia legislature first imposed the corporate excise tax Charles Ward died H. Rus Warne designed the West Virginia Building at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco H. Rus Warne designed a Masonic Temple Building Walter B "Watt" Powell moved to Charleston The West Virginia Coal Association was formed Legislation changed the name of West Virginia Colored Institute to West Virginia Collegiate Institute (now West Virginia State university) State women's suffrage amendment was reintroduced Carter G. Woodson published The Education of the Negro Prior to 1861 Lenna Yost became the state legislative chair of the West Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs Thomas Davis resigned from National Guard Vernon Johnson was elected the youngest Speaker of the House of Delegates
1919
The Board of Children's Guardians was established Other events that happened on or around 1919 There were 33 churches belonging to the African Methodist Episcopal denomination with 1,325 members The position of State Supervisor of Negro Schools and an appointed Negro Board of Education were created by the state White mob lynched two black miners at Chapmanville Alderson Baptist Academy became Alderson Baptist Academy and Junior College (now part of Alderson Broaddus University) Mary Atkeson competed a PhD in Literature at Ohio State University George Atkinson wrote Bench and Bar of West Virginia First state tournament for girls' high school basketball was held at Spencer John Peale Bishop was hired at Vanity Fair magazine after being stationed in Europe Bethlehem Steel Corporation acquired the Bretz property Don Chafin was shot when entering UMWA District 17 offices American chestnut trees provided West Virginia with 118 million board feet of lumber The normal school at Athens became independent as Concord State Normal School (now Concord University) National coal and steel strikes Governor John Cornwell supported the Red Flag legislation and Constabulary legislation in creating the State Police John Warren Davis became president of West Virginia Collegiate Institute (now West Virginia State University) Clarence Donnelly began his ministry Dunbar was laid out by Dunbar Development Company Legislature abolished first board and created a seven-member Board of Education Gertrude Humphrey began work in WVU extension system West Virginia enacted legislation that made it unlawful for livestock to be on the railroad right of way Harrison Ferrell was stricken with polio Nathan Goff married Katherine Penney The West Virginia Good Roads Federation campaigned for amendment to make road improvements under slogan "Help Pull West Virginia Out of the Mud" Greenwood Cemetery, on the National Road in Wheeling, became a nonprofit corporation Mayor C. C. Testerman named Sid Hatfield Matewan's police chief Dave Gideon became the sole owner of the Huntington Herald-Dispatch The UMWA began efforts to unionize the mines of southern West Virginia The problem of sharing Virginia's debt was finally settled A large stone monument was erected at Jackson's Mill in the memory of Stonewall Jackson Mother Jones joined the steelworkers' organizing drive in Pittsburgh Joseph Joy won a patent for his design of a mechanical coal loader Frank Keeney announced his intention to unionize the remainder of southern West Virginia coal mines Teepi Kendrick helped found the West Virginia 4-H All Stars Lakin State hospital was established by an act of the Legislature Walter Martens began working for architect L. F. W. Stuebe of Danville Louis Marx established Louis Marx & Company Legislature provided for the establishment of mine rescue station to train personnel in rescue and first-aid work Margaret Montague's story "England to America" won the O. Henry Award Ephraim Morgan ran for governor Howard Sloan organized a congregation in Grafton Greasy Neale played in the World Series for the Cincinnati Reds The Nuttallburg mine was sold to Henry Ford The Owens Bottle Machine Company changed to the Owens Bottle Company Mateo Pinkard wrote his first hit, "Mammy 'o Mine" after moving to New York. 125 acres of land was purchased for the operation of the agriculture program. A poultry extension program was started in West Virginia The state received a federal grant for the control of venereal disease. The West Virginia Department of Prohibition began William Revercomb earned a law degree from the University of Virginia Red Ribble moved to Prince Rat Rodgers was named to the All-American teams Rat Rodgers was the leading scorer in the nation St. Mary's Glass opened S. Orestes Bond became president of Salem College Thomas C. Miller was designated president instead of principal of Shepherd College The Twin Mountain & Potomac railroad line ended WVU's football team amassed an 8-3 record Weirton Steel added a blast furnace Weirton Steel employees jumped to 11,630 Clint Thomas returned to Columbus after army service W. W. Trent became secretary of the West Virginia Education Association Tucker County's school enrollment peaked at 4,144 students Attempts to unionize southern West Virginia occurred West Virginia legislature created a Virginia Debt Sinking Fund to settle the Virginia Debt Byrd Prillerman left as president of West Virginia Colored Institute (now West Virginia State University) I. C. White received an honorary law degree from WVU Carter G. Woodson began Associated Publishers Company Carter G. Woodson began serving as Dean of Liberal Arts at Howard University West Virginians participated in the Russian Expedition, a military fiasco C. H. Mead completed the first commercial gas well in Wyoming County Lenna Yost became the Washington correspondent for the National WCTU's Union Signal West Virginia held a state basketball tournament for girls for the first time T. G. Nutter became the first African-American to represent Kanawha County in the House of Delegates
1931
The Department of Public Assistance replaced the Board of Children's Guardians Other events that happened on or around 1931 The school changed its name to Fairmont State Teachers College, now Fairmont State University Fairmont newspaper's Sunday edition became the Times West Virginian Susanne Fisher sang small parts at Berlin State Opera Alberta Pierson Hannum wrote her first novel, Thursday April Hazel Atlas corporate headquarters located in Wheeling Harold Houston aided C. Frank Keeny with the organization of the West Virginia Mine Workers Union and the West Virginia Labor Party The West Virginia immigration commissioner's position was discontinued Charlie Cline was born M. Marsh and Son rented more than 40 cigar-making machines The Concrete Steel Bridge Company was forced into bankruptcy and liquidated West Virginia apple production peaked at 12 million bushels County banks failed WHIS Bluefield broadcast the murder trial of Minnie Stull. Leonard Riggleman was elected president of Morris Harvey College, now University of Charleston The Valley River Railroad closed Ada "Bricktop" Smith opened a larger Bricktop's club Boyd Stutler co-wrote a textbook on West Virginia History Festus Summers left Morris Harvey College, now University of Charleston Welch Hospital No. One became Welch Emergency Hospital Wiley Post and Harold Gatty stopped at Wertz Field West Virginia Yesterday and Today was copyrighted by Phil Conley Roy McCuskey became president of West Virginia Wesleyan College George Smith began serving as WWVA program director A new bank in Winfield failed New River State School became New River State College, now WVU Institute of Technology WWVA received network affiliation John Zontini rushed for 865 yards as a freshman at Marshall College Vernon Johnson became Collector of Internal Revenue for West Virginia Toni Stone's family moved to Minnesota
1936
The legislature authorized creation of county departments of public assistance within the Department of Public Assistance
1945
The West Virginia Health Department assumed advisory medical supervision of state hospitals Other events that happened on or around 1945 Alderson-Broaddus College (now University) established the first baccalaureate nursing program in West Virginia William "Wally" Barron was discharged from the army as a sergeant Normantown won unclassified basketball tournaments against all Florence Blanchfield received the Distinguished Service Medal Bill Blizzard was appointed president of UMWA District 17 Harry Brawley became director of political affairs at Charleston radio WCHS Bill approved for a city-county hospital in Huntington Fannie Cobb Carter became dean of women at National Trade and Professional School for Women and Girls in Washington Extension of Route 39 linking Richwood to Marlinton was finished Oliver Chitwood published the first volume of A Short History of the American People George W. Hand became the president of Fairmont State College Ann Flagg graduated from West Virginia State College (now University) U.S. Forest Service reports 8.7 billion board feet of timber volume Gunner Gatski played at Auburn University General Dwight D. Eisenhower vacationed at the Greenbrier resort hospital upon returning from Europe Alberta Pierson Hannum wrote Spin a Silver dollar: The Story of a Desert Trading Post The name Happy Retreat was restored after being named Mordington by Isaac Douglas Joseph Hodges began serving as director of the Roman Catholic Diocesan Mission Band in Richmond, VA Italian POWs were repatriated, and many returned to America Maryat Lee graduated from Wellesley College in religious studies Big Bill Lias purchased Wheeling downs racetrack on Wheeling Island Dora Ruth Parks became the executive secretary of the Library Commission The United Zinc Smelting Corporation ceased operations in Marshall County Bernard McDonough began a concrete business in Houston The UMWA proposed a royalty to 10 cents per ton of coal to be paid to the union to provide medical services in the coalfields The Monongahela Power & Railway Company changed to Monongahela Power Company, discontinuing street car business The first issue of the bi-monthly National Hillbilly News appeared Otis Rice received an M.A. in education at WVU Eleanor Roosevelt began serving as U.S. representative to the United Nations Louis Jordan composed "Salt Pork, West Virginia" The one-room Cave School located in Germany Valley, Pendleton County, closed Julia Davis published The Shenandoah Julia Davis published The Shenandoah The Strayer Report recommended basic reforms in the delivery of public education in West Virginia The Sunrise mansion and adjoining mansion were acquired by the Salvation Army Legislation to protect the environment from surface mining was enacted The state of West Virginia purchased the Sweet Springs property and established the Andrew S. Rowan Memorial Home Clint Thomas began working in the state capitol as messenger for the Department of Mines Morris Harvey College (now University of Charleston) enrollment was at 2,000 students There were 225 students enrolled at West Liberty Kelly Miller was hired to coach at West Virginia State Victorine Louistall became the first African-America female to earn a graduate degree from WVU Reported 6,000 wild turkeys in West Virginia M.J. Horsch became president of West Virginia Institute of Technology John Ross Eakin suffered a stroke, ending his National Park Service career
1949
The Health Department shifted its emphasis from communicable diseases to chronic illnesses and other public health issues. Other events that happened on or around 1949 Appalachian Electric Power provided electricity in 21 counties Clyde Beale pardoned by Governor Patteson Walter Barnes wrote The Teacher Speaks West Virginia Conservation Commission constructed Baker Lake The Berkeley Woolen Company closed its operations in Martinsburg Pearl S. Buck founded the international adoption agency, Welcome House, based in Pennsylvania Lew Burdette married Mary Ann Shelton The state's first television station WSAZ-TV went on air West Virginia chose electric chair over hanging for capital punishment Northern cardinal became the state bird William E. Davies published first full report on West Virginia caves The beginnings of the Cedar Lakes Conference Center originated in an act of the legislature B'nai Jacob congregation moved to new synagogue Little Jimmy Dickens joined the Grand Ole Opry at WSM Henry Hazelwood retired as principal The Booth family sold the Dreamland to group of Huntington businessmen Joanne Dru appeared in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon Bishop Strider announced his retirement Forestlands of West Virginia covered 60 % of state Major flood brought devastation to Grant County Capt. Mary B. Greene, wife of Capt. Gordon Greene, died Carroll High School in Hamlin was destroyed by fire Alberta Pierson Hannum's book Roseanna McCoy was released as a motion picture Cam Henderson resigned as the Marshall football coach The Huntington Publishing Co. started WSAZ-TV Channel 3, first TV station in West Virginia and one of earliest in the country The construction of Bluestone Dam on the New River was completed Rush Holt changed his party affiliation from Democratic to Republican William Flannery became speaker of the House of Delegates Hayes Picklesimer succeeded John L. Dickinson as president of Kanawha Valley Bank Kelly Axe and Tool Company changed its name to True Temper Larry Richardson and Bob Osborne joined the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers Berry Pink and Sellers Peltier founded the Marble King Company Clarence Meadows opened a law office in Charleston Morgantown annexed Suncrest and Sabraton West Virginia Mountain State Gospel Singers Corporation invited groups from Greenbrier and Fayette counties to participate in Nicholas County homecoming of Mount Nebo Gospel Sings Marble King Factory moved to St. Marys DuPont plant built at Washington Bottom Alfred Knobler created the Pilgrim Glass Corporation Mole Hill changed its name to Mountain Jack Rollins wrote the lyrics to "Peter Cottontail" Fred Schaus made All-American in basketball at WVU Union Carbide developed its technical center above its South Charleston plant Red Sovine began recording with MGM, Decca, and eventually Starday Marshal played in the Tangerine Bowl Buddy Starcher's "I'll Still Write Your Name in the Sand" became a hit Weldon Cook and Robert Livingston Russell formed the Cook-Russell Theater Corp The sugar maple became the state tree of West Virginia The West Virginia State Police Academy began operation Commercial television cable installation began operating at Piedmont and Cameron The second USS Huntington was decommissioned after three tours to the Mediterranean WAJR-AM in Morgantown became the flagship station for statewide network distribution of WVU football and basketball games Land was donated to the state for the Watters Smith Memorial State Park Wheeling Dollar Saving & Trust acquired National Exchange Bank The State Education Association changed its name to the West Virginia Education Association Riley Wilson became seriously ill at the inauguration of President Truman Virginia Mae Brown became executive secretary of the West Virginia Judicial Council Sam Jones signed with the Cleveland Indians Elizabeth Harden married Virgil Gilmore, a future two-term Charleston city councilman Toni Stone played for the San Francisco Sea Lions, then joined the New Orleans Creoles
1957
The legislature created the Department of Mental Health Other events that happened on or around 1957 Elizabeth Hallanan was appointed assistant commissioner of public institutions by Governor Underwood Kyle McCormick was appointed by Governor Underwood as the state historian and archivist
1977
The legislature created a consolidated Department of Health combining the old Department of Health, the Department of Mental Health, Commission on Mental Retardation, public institutions and smaller boards and commissions Other events that happened on or around 1977 Betty Bartholomew retired as WVU herbarium curator WVU Educational Building dedicated on grounds of CAMC Memorial Division Stephen Coonts left active duty in Navy and moved to Colorado Muriel Dressler published second collection of poetry, Appalachia Ellis Dungan produced For Liberty and Union Edgewood Country Club built a small clubhouse and golf course at Derrick Creek new Pocatalico Robert Atkinson ordained the first women priests among West Virginia Episcopalians Breece D'J Pancake wrote short story "Time and Again" Louise McNeill became West Virginia poet laureate William K. Simmons became president of Glenville State College Goldenseal magazine was placed under the new Division of Culture and History Davis Grubb returned to West Virginia for a statewide speaking tour Legislation created the West Virginia Division of Culture and History Protesting finally ended over the Kanawha County textbook controversy Paul D. Marshall & Associates was incorporated in Charleston John Sayles wrote the novel Union Dues J. Kemp McLaughlin retired from the military Marshall University School of Medicine was established M. Blane Michael began serving as special counsel to Governor Rockefeller
1989
The Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) was created Other events that happened on or around 1989 West Virginia Folk Art Apprenticeship Program established by Augusta Clerk Darrell E. Holmes took over the as editor of the Blue Book Buffalo Historical Society was formed Construction began on a surgery suite addition at Cabell Huntington Hospital Gale Catlett named Coach of the Year by Eastern Basketball magazine Pine Run School moved to Cedar Creek State Park Cheat Mountain salamander placed on the federal threatened species list Stephen Coonts wrote The Minotaur Ellis Dungan received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the West Virginia International Film Festival The School Building Authority was created Robert Atkinson took semi-retirement as bishop of the Episcopal Church Mark Samels released Forks of Cheat Salem College was bought by Japanese interests and became Salem-Teikyo University (later Salem International University) Homer Hickam published his first book, Torpedo Junction
Mar 16, 2020
Governor Jim Justice declared an official state of emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic
Oct 14, 2022
Legislative leaders formally contacted the governor over allegations of abuse and neglect of vulnerable residents at state-operated facilities
Mar 04, 2023
Governor Jim Justice signed a legislative act eliminating the state Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) effective January 1, 2024, splitting it into three agencies View Articles by Existing Key Dates or Specify Your Own Date Range |
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