May 13, 1861. In 10 days, Virginia voters would decide whether to ratify an ordinance to sever ties with the Union, drafted a month earlier during a secession convention in Richmond. An ad hoc delegation from 27 western Virginia counties assembled at Wheeling in the far northwestern corner of the state. There, the 436 delegates now gathered in Washington Hall, Wheeling’s Masonic building, debated whether the northwest—that area west of the Alleghenies and north of the Big Kanawha River—would agree to secede.

If the preceding has tweaked your interest, this is the story of the separation of West Virginia from it's parent state Virginia. The only thing I remember being taught in school about our state was the names of the counties and that certainly does not make me an expert. This is the main reason I wanted to bring this article to the readers. It's a lengthy piece but Mr. Swick's style of writing would make terrific curriculum for students of all ages today in learning about West Virginia and also Virginia.

To quote Paul Harvey, "Now, for the rest of the story".  Virginia's Great Divorce. You'll enjoy it.

Below are three of Mr. Swick's books on West Virginia. Two volumes of great stories and one photo book with his commentary. Click on each photo to see price and information.