Wetzel County War Memorial Building

During World War I, over 2.3 million Americans served in the United States military. Included among the U.S. ranks were 58,000 West Virginians. Almost 2,000 West Virginians died in service, and several thousand more were wounded. In the years following the war, several monuments sprung up across the state commemorating West Virginians' service.

In June 1927, two local New Martinsville organizations began promoting the idea of a monument to Wetzel County's World War I veterans. The New Martinsville Kiwanis Club and local Marne Post 28 of the American Legion sought to create a "living" monument, a building that would honor local veterans while serving as a social and civic hub within the New Martinsville community. The American Legion requested the Wetzel County Court "to assist in the erection of a memorial in memory of those who in the World War and other wars laid down their lives for their country."[2]

To make the concept a reality, the county court needed a petition signed by twenty percent of the county's residents to raise a levy for memorial funds. The American Legion took the initiative and circulated the petition, which proved successful. The county levy ultimately raised $18,000. The American Legion contributed another $12,000, as well as two plots of land at the corner of Main and Virginia Streets to serve as the building's site. In 1928, with funds on hand, a Memorial Board was established to oversee construction of the War Memorial Building.

The building was designed by Millard F. Giesey, a well-known architect from Wheeling. Built in a Neoclassical style, the cornerstone was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1929. The first floor, including a large ballroom, served as a civic space for various local groups, including graduating high school classes, Boy Scout troops, sewing circles, and boxing groups. The second floor was primarily utilized by by the local Marne Post 28 of the American Legion and the Ladies Auxiliary.

During World War II, various wartime organizations utilized the building, including the Selective Service Board and Red Cross. Local Civil Defense forces kept an eye on the skies from the building's roof in case of invasion. Plaques inside the building honor those who served in both World War I and World War II. Following the Korean War, a monument was placed outside the building honor veterans of that war. An artillery piece also sits in front of the building, which continues to serve the community and Wetzel County today.

1. "War Memorial Building." National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. October 1990. Web. Accessed September 6, 2020. http://www.wvculture.org/shpo/nr/pdf/wetzel/97000787.pdf

2. "War Memorial Building." Wetzel County Commission. 2015. Web. Accessed September 6, 2020. http://www.wetzelcountycommission.com/Facilities_War_Memorial_Building.htm

3. Jeffrey M. Leatherwood. "World War I." November 28, 2018. e-WV: West Virginia Encyclopedia. Web. Accessed September 6, 2020. https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1351

4. Tiana Hall. "Together We Won the Great War: West Virginia and World War I." 2019. Online exhibit. Web. Accessed September 6, 2020. http://www.wvculture.org/history/exhibitsonline/worldwar1/wwone1.html