WHEELING, W.Va. – March 5, 2026 – Wheeling Heritage, in partnership with local organizations, is celebrating America 250 Wheeling by highlighting a variety of community events and activities that showcase the city’s history, culture, and spirit. As part of the celebration, Wheeling Heritage will host Main Street to Mountains: A Wheeling Portrait, Where Local Landscapes Meet the Spirit of a Nation, featuring a plein air art experience, an open call for artists, and a juried competition, followed by a public exhibition celebrating America 250 through Wheeling’s unique lens. The exhibition will be on view July 1 through Aug. 31 in the atrium of the Wheeling Artisan Center, 1400 Main St. Artists are encouraged to follow Wheeling Heritage on Facebook and Instagram for open call details. Additional featured events include In the Beginning: Wheeling Glass, Pewter and Ceramics from the Pioneer Days at the Oglebay Institute Glass Museum (June 14, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027); the People’s University lecture series at the Ohio County Public Library (July 2 – Aug. 20); a July 4 celebration of America 250 featuring a patriotic performance by the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra concluding with fireworks; and an Interfaith Worship Service of Thanksgiving on Nov. 21, at First Presbyterian Church.  “As we look ahead to America’s 250th anniversary, our National Heritage Area is proud to announce a year of events that honor the people, places, and stories that shaped our nation—inviting everyone to celebrate our shared history, reflect on our journey, and help inspire the next 250 years,” said Scott Schenerlein, executive director of Wheeling Heritage. A full schedule of events and additional details can be found on Wheeling Heritage’s dedicated America 250 Wheeling webpage https://wheelingheritage.org/america-250/.     Programming for America 250 Wheeling is supported by the City of Wheeling, Elizabeth Stifel Kline Foundation, First Presbyterian Church, Fort Henry Chapter of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution, Oglebay Institute, Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Wheeling Heritage, and the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. Read the full article

WHEELING, WV — Wheeling Country Day School, in partnership with Wheeling Heritage, is proud to announce the upcoming “Youth Show of Hands” entrepreneurial event, taking place March 11 at the Artisan Center in Wheeling, WV. “Youth Show of Hands” is a student-led entrepreneurial showcase designed to give young innovators the opportunity to develop, present, and pitch their original ideas to the local community. Modeled after community-supported funding events, the program empowers students to think creatively, solve real-world problems, and practice public speaking and business planning skills. At the event, student participants will present their projects and business ideas to attendees. Attendees will be invited to cast a vote for their favorite student pitch with a $5 donation. All proceeds will directly support the winning project. This collaborative effort between Wheeling Country Day School and Wheeling Heritage highlights the importance of youth leadership, innovation, and community engagement. The event reflects a shared commitment to fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs and civic-minded leaders in the Ohio Valley. “Youth Show of Hands gives our students the opportunity to take ownership of their ideas and experience the full entrepreneurial process—from concept to pitch,” said Joe Jividen of Wheeling Country Day School. “We are grateful to partner with Wheeling Heritage and to invite the community to be part of supporting young innovators.” The event will be held on March 11 at the Artisan Center in Wheeling, WV, with doors opening at 5:30 and the presentation beginning at 6. Community members are encouraged to attend and support local students. Read the full article

Wheeling Heritage’s Partnership Grants are open to individuals, community groups, local institutions, public entities, and private enterprises. The program provides support for projects that celebrate Wheeling’s history, arts, and community life.

WHEELING, W.Va. – November 19, 2025 – Wheeling Heritage has awarded four Partnership Grants totaling $3,510.00 to support community projects that highlight Wheeling’s culture, history, and creative spirit. “This is the first cycle of our new fiscal year, and as always, we are thrilled to see the dedication and impact of projects happening throughout our community,” said Riley Carpenter, Director of Programming at Wheeling Heritage. “These grants reflect our commitment to supporting initiatives that celebrate Wheeling’s culture, engage residents, and strengthen our city’s rich arts and community life.” 2025 Partnership Grant Recipients Wheeling Symphony Society, Inc.The Wheeling Symphony will host their Festival of Ideas, presented in conjunction with the Jan. 17, 2026 Masterworks 3 concert. The festival will reflect on the impact of COVID-19 on the Wheeling community, musicians, and staff five years later, featuring a time of remembrance for those lost, discussions on community fears, and exploration of the symphony’s resilience during the pandemic. City of WheelingHosted by the City of Wheeling Parks and Recreation Department, the Wheeling Turkey Trot 5K and Fun Run is a family-friendly race held on Thanksgiving morning that brings together residents, visitors, and those returning home for the holidays. Designed for participants of all ages and abilities, the event encourages everyone to join, whether running competitively or enjoying a leisurely stroll with a cup of coffee in hand. The race promotes community pride, wellness, and connection, offering a fun, active way to kick off the holiday season while strengthening bonds among families, friends, and neighbors. Jes Reger Davis - The Painter’s NestJes Reger will be purchasing new supplies for her watercolor workshops and classes at Table 304 and The Painter’s Nest. The grant will be used to buy essential materials—including pencils, paintbrushes, paper, and paint—allowing participants to attend without needing to provide their own supplies. This funding ensures that her workshops remain accessible and affordable, fostering community engagement through the arts while supporting local small business programming. Oglebay InstituteOglebay Institute’s Ceramics Take Over Wheeling 2026, is a four-day, citywide celebration of ceramic arts from Feb. 26–March 1, 2026. The festival will feature nine galleries across Wheeling showcasing contemporary and traditional ceramic works through exhibitions, artist demonstrations, and hands-on workshops. Collaborating with galleries, venues, and universities throughout Wheeling—and with a virtual gallery for broader participation—the event draws artists and visitors nationwide, supports local businesses, and highlights Wheeling’s rich pottery history alongside its thriving contemporary art scene. About the Partnership Grants Wheeling Heritage’s Partnership Grants are open to individuals, community groups, local institutions, public entities, and private enterprises. The program provides support for projects that celebrate Wheeling’s history, arts, and community life. Read the full article

One week, the temperatures were in the high 80s, and then the next week, apparently fall was settling in to the Wheeling area, The Wheeling area experienced perfect weather for "OglebayFest," the Wheeling Park Commission's annual "Thank You" to local residents in the Upper Ohio Valley, but then cooler temperatures have prevailed, and the foliage has begun to sprout. High school football now has only a couple of weeks of regular-season action left and then the postseason will kick in, and the stores at The Highlands have started stocking up for the annual shopping season. LEDE columnist Erikka Storch penned a commentary this week about her love of the Wheeling area, and one Facebook member questioned why she referred to the city's "growing pains" when Wheeling's population has declined since the 1940s, but anyone utilizing an honest, realistic perspective is quite aware that the Friendly City has grown in many other ways. So, what's next? These are known as "horse apples" or "hedge apples," but locally, these fall-time fruits are "Maclura pomifera"—commonly known as Osage oranges. The Wheel Restaurant - Sports, Food Drinks - has opened in the former T.J.'s Sports Garden location and the new owners have made some changes on the interior and will continue to renovate as time passes. Tobacco remains the name of the game at this location in South Wheeling with Swisher International operating at the former local of Bloch Brothers - Mail Pouch Tobacco. These two photos offer history lessons to those who care to delve deeper into the reasons for the statues at Heritage Port in downtown Wheeling. The top photo displays the Augustus Pollack Monument, and the second is a statue of legendary union leader Walter Reuther. This storage business is still in shambles after the fatal flash flooding took place on June 14-15 in the Valley Grove, Triadelphia, and Elm Grove areas in Ohio County. The corner of 14th and Main streets is ready for the beginning of the Nailers season on November 1st. The owner of the Char House on the Boulevard has placed this large, steel bull atop their sign along East Bethlehem Boulevard. The Atrium Gallery is inside the Wheeling Artisan Center and features artwork created by local painters and photographers. Read the full article

WHEELING, W.Va. — September 25, 2025 — Wheeling Heritage is excited to announce the winning design for this year’s limited-edition pewter ornament. The design, created by Wheeling native, Janet Pissos of Art by Janet Lynn and featuring the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, will be transformed into a collectible holiday ornament available for purchase exclusively at the Wheeling Artisan Center Shop, located at 1400 Main St. This project invited artists of all skill levels to submit original designs celebrating Wheeling’s iconic Suspension Bridge. Submissions followed specific design guidelines, with prizes awarded to the top finalists. The ultimate winner was selected through a community vote, allowing residents to play a key role in the process. Wheeling Heritage also recognizes the other talented finalists: Kristy Ferguson, Giovanna Loccisano, and Lola Smith. “I’m very excited and honored to have been chosen from so many great artists,” Pissos said. “The Wheeling Suspension Bridge is such a meaningful symbol of our city, and I’m proud to see my design come to life in this special ornament.” “We are grateful to all of the artists who submitted designs and to the community for their overwhelming participation in voting,” said Scott Schenerlein, executive director of Wheeling Heritage. “This project celebrates local creativity and community spirit, and we hope to make it an annual tradition that highlights Wheeling’s history and artistry.” The pewter ornaments will be sold this holiday season at the Artisan Center Shop, which features a curated selection of handmade goods, art, and gifts from West Virginia and the greater Appalachian region. For more information, contact Wheeling Heritage at (304) 232-3087. Read the full article

WHEELING, W.Va. – September 23, 2025 — Wheeling Heritage invites the community to experience Too Quiet in the Atrium, an immersive gallery opening that celebrates the eerie charm of the Halloween season. The event will take place on Friday, Oct. 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Wheeling Artisan Center, 1400 Main St. The exhibition will showcase Halloween-inspired artwork selected from a competitive pool of submissions. “Halloween is always such a fun time of year if you lean into it and enjoy the spooky atmosphere and magic that’s created,” said Riley Carpenter, Wheeling Heritage’s director of programming. “We’re excited to host something a little different from a typical gallery opening and to showcase local artists’ work in a way that’s both thrilling and chilling—like stepping into a living canvas of spooky stories.” Featured Experiences In addition to the art, the evening will include collaborations with three local small businesses: - Mel’s Alt Images – Guests can book ahead to reserve one of the limited sessions for tintype photographs, taken onsite during the event. Email [email protected] to book your time.  - Old Soul Candle Co. – Offering two custom seasonal candles created for this event : Season of the Witch (maple leaf, sweet acorn, sandalwood, smoke) and Witchy Woman (warm nutmeg, sugar pears, earl grey tea, honey). - Dunya’s – Serving spooky-themed confections, described as “just scary and sweet enough to eat.” Guests are encouraged to dress in dark, spooky-inspired attire to match the show’s moody aesthetic, though full costumes are not required. A cash bar will be provided by River City, featuring a signature cocktail, Witch’s Brew, created especially for the evening. Wheeling Heritage also expressed appreciation to the many artists who submitted work for the exhibition, noting that the strong response reflects the region’s vibrant creative energy. A Ghostly Encore The spooky atmosphere will extend beyond the artwork with a feature from Wheeling Haunts, a podcast produced by Wheeling Heritage Media in 2023. For the first time, never-before-seen videos will accompany the eerie stories, offering guests a new way to experience the region’s haunted legends. For more information about Too Quiet in the Atrium, visit wheelingheritage.org/gallery or contact Riley Carpenter at (304) 232-3087 or [email protected] Read the full article