A place for the arts in southern West Virginia just took a step closer to home, as the Boone County Heritage and Arts Center held its grand opening on Monday.

Special guests at the opening ceremony included guest speaker Nick J. Rahall, 3rd District Congressman, who praised the work of the community in transforming the abandoned post-office and bank building into a cultural facility.

“It has been said that he who denies his heritage, has no heritage,” the Congressman told the assembled crowd, further stating, “West Virginians have a proud, proud heritage. We want to tell not only our children and grandchildren about it, but the whole world. We are very proud of our contributions to the country and the coal that comes out of the bowels of Boone County.”

Rahall reminded those in attendance of the strong heritage of West Virginians, who helped the country by developing its own natural resources and being on the frontlines of its national security.

“Not many people, at least in the big cities, know how important our heritage is to us,” the Congressman said.

In response to those who would say coal has come under attack recently, the Congressman was not shy in giving his opinion that such a statement was true, but further added that, “They should not be attacking coal in a hidden, sneaky way. I get it; [and] if anyone says I’m taking these attacks on coal lying down, then they don’t know Nick Rahall.

“And we will make it through these attacks,” he said.

“We will continue to mine coal in a sound, clean environment, so we can have clean air and clean water,” he said, stating at one point that “We’re all environmentalists.”

The ceremony began with a welcome from Joy Underwood, the president of the Bituminous Coal Heritage Foundation.

Underwood began by recognizing the contributions of Boone County residents Larry Barker and Delores Cook.

“We should have names this the Larry Barker and Delores Cook Museum,” he said, noting that Delores Cook had secured a $50,000 Budget Digest Grant in 1998, which allowed the Foundation to purchase the building from the Ellis family, who then donated the adjacent building to be used as the Coal Heritage Museum.

Although the Coal Heritage Museum was the first to be opened, it was the current Heritage and Arts Center that was purchased by the Foundation.

Delegate Larry Barker was recognized for securing a $32,000 Community Partnership Grant in 2008, for the restoration of the building. The restoration work was completed through the contracted work of Faith Construction, at Elkview; Four Seasons heating and air conditioning services, at Seth; Pro Security, at Madison; and Larry Lodato, Project Administrator.

In addition the Barkers and Cook’s grant monies, the Boone County Commission provided $25,000 toward the project while the Boone County Community, Economic Development Office and Bituminous Coal Heritage Foundation both contributed $15,0000.

“It is just a fantastic experience that has happened here; seeing the people who have been recognized in making this Heritage and Arts Center a reality. It has truly been a team effort.

“Any project like this, on a grassroots level, it is truly an example to the rest of the nation of how it can be done without the federal government coming in,” Rahall said. Delegate Larry Barker, and Delores Cook, president of the West Virginia Department of Education, a Boone County native, and the vice president of the Bituminous Coal Heritage Foundation, were both honored with a plaque for their work in making the Heritage and Arts Center a reality.

“County governments should support the arts in their communities,” Joy Underwood, president of the Bituminous Coal Heritage Foundation, told the assembled crowd, offering these words of advice, “If you took just 1% of the Coal Severance Tax, you could have a venue to rival the Civic Center or the Cultural Center, second to none,” he said.

“You must not only have pride in your community, but you must have passion and create community pride,” Underwood said.

Coal Valley News columnist Judy McComas, and Ann Turley, were given special recognition by Joy Underwood, during the ceremony.

Also recognized was Richard Kennedy, the contractor whose bid was not only the lowest, but also the only bid that the Economic Development Center received for contracted renovations.

“Mr. Kennedy deserves much recognition, as the majority of the work was done by him,” Underwood stated.

Special guests for the afternoon included Mark Payne, of the West Virginia Humanities Council; Randall Reid-Smith, commissioner of Culture and History; Kay Goodwin, West Virginia Secretary of Education and Arts; and Dr. Steven Paine, State Superintendent, West Virginia Department of Education.

Also in attendance and given special recognition were Superintendent of Schools Steve Pauley, a board member of the Bituminous Coal Heritage Foundation; James R. “Jimbo” Clendenen, board member; Terry Burdette, Commander of the Daniel Boone Post 5578; Wanda Hurley, president of the Women’s Auxhiliary; and Kim Graham, strings teacher with the Boone County Strings Program.

Graham’s Madison area students performed a musical presentation for the assembled guests. This was followed by a medley of West Virginia songs by accomplished voice artist Randall Reid-Smith.

The invocation and benediction were performed by Dr. Frank Frye, of the Madison Methodists Church and a ribbon cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the Heritage and Arts Center to the public.