Clarksburg History Museum celebrates John W. Davis on his 151 birthday

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — In honor of John W. Davis’ 151 birthday, the Clarksburg History Museum hosted a celebration highlighting his story and impact.

The event began at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Clarksburg History Museum’s location on West Main Street. Visitors started by touring the museum before introductions were made by fellow museum associates. Trolley rides were also available so people could see where Davis grew up.

Marsha Viglianco, a volunteer at the museum, shared her thoughts on the significance of investing in your hometown’s history.

“We have a lot of rich history here and if you don’t know about your own hometown, then you’re missing a lot,” Viglianco said. “It is very surprising the amount of people in this local area that don’t even know that Stonewall Jackson was born here.”

Making the experience as realistic as possible, the museum also had reenactment actors. Stephen Broughton and his wife Marsha Broughton portrayed John W. Davis and his wife, Julia Davis.

Stephen spoke on the importance of keeping the legacy of a notable Clarksburg figure alive.

“People of all walks of life and all stations of life are players in our nation’s fabric and somebody from a small city in 1924 West Virginia could ascend to that kind of letter,” Broughton said. “Not only as a presidential candidate, but he was also solicitor general of the United States.”

The Clarksburg History Museum plans to partner with the Robinson Grand Theatre on August 13 to reenact John W. Davis’ presidential nominee acceptance speech. More information on that event can be found on the museum’s website .

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