Category: Article

Beverly Cooks! : Tuna Fish Loaf

By Griffin Nordstrom

May 31, 2023

In our role as a Heritage Center, we aim to not only use traditional history documentation with artifacts and info panels, but provide a living understanding of the community and present the stories of Beverly and Randolph County in alternative methods. As a part of these efforts I will be conducting a mini foodways series using recipes sourced from Beverly’s community. With all this, I want to acknowledge that I am not an experienced cook, and have chosen recipes that require amateur understanding of technique and tools. There are many more complex dishes in this community that better chefs could…

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A New Route Along the Underground Railroad?

By Chris Mielke

March 10, 2023

The history of the Underground Railroad in West Virginia is still something of a mystery even after all these years. A series of safe points from the Deep South leading into Canada, spirituals such as “Follow the Gourd” were integral to guiding enslaved men, women, and children to a life of freedom up north. While certain routes along the Underground Railroad are well-known in the Northern and Eastern Panhandles and along the Ohio River, the heart of the Mountain State has not been examined in great detail. The Beverly Heritage Center researched the role of the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike, an east-west…

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Northwestern Virginia In 1861: The First Campaign

By BHC

November 10, 2022

Upon the outbreak of Civil War in 1861, the Staunton-Parkersburg Pike was a vital link between the heart of Virginia and its western counties, as well as a gateway to the B&O Railroad. Richmond was anxious to hold onto all of its territory, and sent Col. George Porterfield to hold northwestern Virginia for the south. The Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike, and its connecting pikes to the north and south, gave the South access into the mountain territory to strike at the railroad. As Virginia moved towards secession from the Union, many in the far western counties were determined to stay in the…

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The 1900 Beverly Bank

By BHC

November 7, 2022

This building, dating to 1900, sits on the corner of Court and Main streets in the lot between the courthouse and the street. Dr. Humboldt Yokum was president of the bank, which for many years was the only bank in the community. It closed during the Banking Holiday of March 1933. It is a rectangular white brick building, loosely connected to the courthouse. The entryway is at an angle on the northwest corner of the building. It is a loose example of Neoclassical Revival style, which was popular at this time for commercial buildings. It has Roman arched openings and…

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