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World War Memorial (Kimball, West Virginia)
Encyclopedia
The World War Memorial, also known as the Kimball War Memorial Building, stands on a hill in Kimball
, West Virginia
. Designed in 1927 by Welch, West Virginia
architect Hassell T. Hicks, the memorial was dedicated in 1928 to African-American veterans of World War I
. It was the first such memorial to African-American veterans
in the United States
. The building functioned as a community center in the isolated coal mining region until a fire in 1991, which destroyed the interior. The stone, terra cotta
and brick Classical Revival building stood as a ruin for more than a decade until a restoration. The memorial building was listed while still a ruin on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1993.
African-Americans represented as much as thirty-five percent of the workforce in McDowell County coal mines, with 1500 volunteering for service in World War I. After a county-funded war memorial was built in Welch, African-American veterans petitioned the county commission for funding, resulting in an appropriation of $25,000 for the building's construction. The completed building housed a hundred-seat meeting room, trophy room, kitchen, recreation center and a library, and was used by local citizens of all races. It was also home to the Kimball American Legion
post, which was itself the first African-American Legion post. The building was abandoned in the 1970s. After an abortive proposal to sell the property, studies continued for its restoration until the 1991 fire.
The building was restored in the 2000s and is used as a community center, winning an Honor Award from the West Virginia chapter of the American Institute of Architects
.
Kimball, West Virginia
Kimball is a town in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 411 at the 2000 census.Kimball was incorporated in 1911 and named for Frederick J. Kimball, who was a president of the Norfolk and Western Railway...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. Designed in 1927 by Welch, West Virginia
Welch, West Virginia
Welch is a city located in McDowell County in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The population was 2,406 at the 2010 census. Incorporated as a city in 1893, it is the county seat of McDowell County.-History:...
architect Hassell T. Hicks, the memorial was dedicated in 1928 to African-American veterans of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. It was the first such memorial to African-American veterans
Military history of African Americans
The military history of African Americans spans from the arrival of the first black slaves during the colonial history of the United States to the present day...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The building functioned as a community center in the isolated coal mining region until a fire in 1991, which destroyed the interior. The stone, terra cotta
Terra cotta
Terracotta, Terra cotta or Terra-cotta is a clay-based unglazed ceramic, although the term can also be applied to glazed ceramics where the fired body is porous and red in color...
and brick Classical Revival building stood as a ruin for more than a decade until a restoration. The memorial building was listed while still a ruin on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1993.
African-Americans represented as much as thirty-five percent of the workforce in McDowell County coal mines, with 1500 volunteering for service in World War I. After a county-funded war memorial was built in Welch, African-American veterans petitioned the county commission for funding, resulting in an appropriation of $25,000 for the building's construction. The completed building housed a hundred-seat meeting room, trophy room, kitchen, recreation center and a library, and was used by local citizens of all races. It was also home to the Kimball American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
post, which was itself the first African-American Legion post. The building was abandoned in the 1970s. After an abortive proposal to sell the property, studies continued for its restoration until the 1991 fire.
The building was restored in the 2000s and is used as a community center, winning an Honor Award from the West Virginia chapter of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
.