http://www.wvculture.org/ The mission of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History is to identify, preserve, protect, promote, and present the ideas, arts, and artifacts of West Virginia's heritage, building pride in our past accomplishments and confidence in our future en-us CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Dance students from 45 dance school, high school and college programs participated in the 2013 West Virginia Division of Culture and History Dance Festival at the Culture Center at the State Capitol Complex on April 19 – 21. Students had the opportunity to take classes from nationally accredited dancers and dance instructors, and to perform in evening concerts. CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Author and columnist Sherri Brake will present “The Haunted History of the West Virginia Penitentiary” on Thursday, May 9, 2013, in the Archives and History Library at the Culture Center, State Capitol Complex in Charleston. The program will begin at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public. CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Television producer Russ Barbour will present “Reconstructing Bill: The Story of Governor William C. Marland” on Tuesday, May 7, in the Archives and History Library at the Culture Center, State Capitol Complex, in Charleston. The program begins at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public. CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History has published “Land, People and Statehood,” a 13-month calendar highlighting the Mountain State’s pathway to statehood, including the historic figures who shaped its future. The public is invited to request a copy of the free calendar while supplies last. CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Culture and History, in partnership with the West Virginia Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, is inviting quilters from across the state to help make a West Virginia Statehood Sesquicentennial Quilt. CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Culture and History’s annual exhibition, Quilts and Wall Hangings 2012, is on display in the Great Hall and the south wing of the Culture Center, State Capitol Complex in Charleston. The crowd-pleasing juried exhibition features 55 exquisite quilts and wall hangings representing the talents of West Virginia quilters. Quiltmaking is one of West Virginia’s oldest and most treasured art forms, and this annual display is a favorite with visitors from all over the United States and abroad. The exhibit will be on display through Sept. 3.