Friends of the Brooke County Public Libraries to Host History Alive Program

Gabriel Arthur will be portrayed by Doug Wood of Hurrincae in a West Virginia Humanities Council History Alive! program at the Brooke County Public Libraries in the River Room, on April 27, at 7pm. The Friends of the Brooke County Public Libraries invite all to attend their free Annual Spring Event. A brief Friends Meeting will be held followed by the program.
Arthur is believed to be the first white man to see the Kanawha Valley while traveling with a band of Indians in 1674. He was sent with a partner and others from Fort Henry (present Petersburg, Virginia) to explore western lands and trade with the Indians. His partner was killed and Arthur traveled widely with the natives, apparently participating in raids in the Ohio Valley and elsewhere. During this time, he followed the Big Coal River to its mouth at the Kanawha River. Arthur and the southern Indians with whom he traveled were welcomed at the large Moneton Indian village at present St. Albans before returning to Fort Henry with a load furs.
Gabriel Arthur is one of the many available character presentations offered through the West Virginia Humanities Council’s History Alive! program as a means of exploring history by interacting with noteworthy historical figures. These programs provide audiences with the opportunity to question those who have shaped our history.
Historical characterization is the vehicle for this program. Humanities scholars have carefully researched the writings, speeches and biographies of the characters they portray and whenever possible, use their original words.
The West Virginia Humanities Council is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing educational programs in the humanities for all West Virginians. For 40 years the Council has been providing educational programs in the humanities across the state.
This program is available to both non-profit and for-profit groups. For more information call the West Virginia Humanities Council at 304.346.8500 or visit www.wvhumanities.org. Friends are asking that patrons register to give us a better plan for the light refreshments that will be provided. Registration is already open and can be found at https://www.brookecountylibs.org/events or by calling 304.737.1551 or 304.527.0860.