The 1886 Lynching of Joe Burns
A white mob lynched Joe Burns in 1886 before he had the chance to defend himself in court. This article speculates on what could have been brought up in his defense.
Real-life Stories of Housing Struggles in Jefferson County
When a community aspires to raising its standard of living, it can put the housing needs of people who fall below that standard in jeopardy. They can find it hard to locate affordable housing. This is beginning to happen in several communities in Jefferson County, affecting particularly young people.
Food and Social Security in Jefferson County
Poverty and food insecurity in Jefferson County is less than in other parts of West Virginia, but it persists. Several food services have been set up by social service organization to address the need.
Housing as the Lynchpin of a Social Safety Net
Jefferson County has a problem in making housing affordable for residents who are cost burdened by the ACS definition. Housing in the county is more expensive than elsewhere in the state and low-income people are being priced out. This article considers a plan the city of Charles Town produced to address the problem.
Local Ordinances Welcoming LGBTQ People
Under the leadership of Fairness West Virginia, four cities and towns in Jefferson County have passed nondiscrimination ordinances that include LGBTQ people. This article looks at the legacy and promise of these ordinances.
Sparking Imaginations Through Storytelling
Storytelling is a volunteer and a professional activity for various individuals in Jefferson County. The pros are mainly associated with the storytelling activities as part of the Shepherd University Appalachian Studies department and the Speak program. The volunteers are with groups such as the Read Aloud program.