The West Virginia Building was built.
For many years, it was believed that this building, known as the Century of Progress Building, housed West Virginia’s exhibit at the 1933 Chicago Century of Progress Exhibition and was relocated to Jackson’s Mill. Recent research has indicated, however, that the structure is actually a replica of the original. Artifacts from the original exhibit in the Century of Progress were donated to Jackson’s Mill and director Kendrick needed to make arrangements to build a building to house these things. Kendrick worked with the Morgan Lumber Company to complete the new structure, the interior of which appears to be an expanded version of the building which was in Chicago. The interior also features beautiful hardwood floors, walls and ceilings made largely utilizing black and white walnut. Today, most of the artifacts are stored in the Jackson’s Mill archives, as the building is most often used for large groups and events. One original and significant element remains in the building - six large murals that depict scenes from West Virginia’s history and culture hang on both sides of the room. Painted by artist William C. Grauer, there is an interesting element to them, they are signed and dated, but the name is not Grauer and the date is not prior to the 1933 date of the murals’ original display. The most likely and believed reason for this is that the murals had restoration done to them around that time and the artist who restored the murals signed their name to the paintings, which has led to the confusion. Though the building’s original name was the Century of Progress Building in reference to the artifacts and murals originally housed there, it is known to most people simply as the West Virginia Building.