2018 has been full of exciting things at the museum.   We opened in April and in early May, we had a group of AmeriCorps volunteers from various WV sites volunteer at the museum to start the inventory process.    This project was led by AmeriCorps photographer Kyle Warmack,  who had come to the museum the previous year to volunteer.  Hailey Horn, former AmeriCorps volunteer had suggested DuBois on Main to him.

This project was needed in order to have the museum items scanned and preserved for the future availability of researchers.  This idea was the recommendation of Bank of Mt. Hope president, Ben Sussman.

Another big project was securing a WV State Historical Marker acknowledging the history of the new DuBois High School 1954-1956.  Since the destruction of the original DuBois High School, 1917-1950,  students had been educated in churches, temporary buildings, and Principal  T. W. Chiles’  basement.  The Fayette County Board of Education decided at its May 1956 board meeting to bring the white students from Mt. Hope High into the new and very modern, DuBois High School and change the name to Mt. Hope High School.  The black students were then assigned to other white high schools in the county closer to where they lived.  At the opening of the school year, August 1956, DuBois High School no longer existed.   It had become Mount Hope High School…..

Research in 2017 by Hailey Horn, former Marshall University student who had studied this history, found this to be historic and the only occurrence in West Virginia.  DuBois on Main Board of directors embraced this project and raised necessary funds in a short period of time.  Working with the WV Division of Culture and History, plans were made and the marker was completed and installed in 2018.  The dedication ceremony was planned as part of the biennial DuBois High School Reunion.  Donors were invited and acknowledged.  This WV State Historical marker serves as evidence of the existence of DuBois High School in the state.  Because the wall plaque installed at the entrance was covered with trophy cases, many students have attended school there and know nothing of its true history.  They can now learn this local history.   Look at DuBois High School history at TheClio.com developed by Dr. Trowbridge at Marshall University.  An app for your phone is available also.  This is free.  You will be pleasantly surprised!