01-06-2025
New historical marker unveiled at 2025 Beckley Founder's Day
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – History enthusiasts were in for a treat at this year's edition Beckley Founder's Day.
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Their Founder's Day is a celebration of Beckley's history, as well as its founder Alfred Beckley.
They started off celebrations at the Wildwood House Museum by welcoming everyone in followed by Woodrow Wilson High School's JROTC group presenting a flag to their Alfred Beckley re-enactor. The JROTC led everyone across the street to the Wildwood Cemetery, where they placed a wreath next to Alfred Beckley's grave.
'[Alfred Beckley] did so much for the town and people forget that. I mean, people forget this place was pretty much deserted. This was a wilderness when he moved here. To take it from Wildwood, literally – that is what the house is called – so, take it from that to the bustling city it is today. We have him to thank,' said Rebekah Graham, the president of the Raleigh County Historical Society.
'Oh, [portraying Alfred Beckley] is fantastic. I thoroughly enjoy it. We always have a great time here with the other re-enactors and the people that portray the daughter, the wives, and [Beckley]. It is just a lot of fun and enjoyment to remember the history of Beckley and remember what Alfred Beckley was to this town, to this county, and to the state of West Virginia,' said Mike Vaughan, Alfred Beckley's re-enactor.
Beckley was a multi-talented person. He served as a Confederate general, as well as in the United States Army. He was the first postmaster in Raleigh County, plus a schoolteacher, school superintendent, and a West Virginia and Virginia delegate, to name a few of his accomplishments. Beckley founded Beckley, as well as the Wildwood House.
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This year's celebrations were extra special, as they unveiled the Wildwood House Museum's newest historical marker. This was made in partnership with the national Civil War Trails organization. It designates this museum as a site on its Civil War Trails network.
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