News

WHEELING, W.Va. – June 6, 2023 – Wheeling’s Juneteenth Celebration will be held on Monday, June 19, to commemorate the end of slavery in America. The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a short ceremony at the north end of The Plaza on Market. The location is of significance as the space was once a slave auction block. After the ceremony, music, entertainment, and food trucks will follow at the south end of the Plaza. The event is free and open to the public.

The Wheeling Juneteenth Committee, which is made up of representatives from Wheeling Heritage, Wheeling YWCA, City of Wheeling, Wheeling NAACP, Oglebay Institute, and the Ohio Valley Underground Railroad Museum and local leaders in the Black community, will host this year’s event.

Juneteenth celebrations date back to June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. This was more than two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which had become official on January 1, 1863. Juneteenth was officially recognized as a US federal holiday on June 17, 2021.

The Wheeling Area Juneteenth Committee invites area high school-aged poets to express their thoughts and emotions about this important day in American history. This contest celebrates the end of slavery in the United States and the struggle for freedom and equality. Students are encouraged to use their creativity and imagination to explore the themes of liberation, justice, and hope. The poems can be written in any style and format, and the winners will be selected based on originality, clarity, and emotional impact with submissions due by Friday, June 9.

Speakers for the event’s opening ceremonies include Unique Robinson-Murphy, Communities in Schools Site Coordinator for Wheeling Park High School; Diana Bell of the Wheeling Griot Society; Rev. Twila Davis of the Macedonia Baptist Church; and Glenn Elliott, mayor of the City of Wheeling.

After the ceremony, music, entertainment, and food trucks will follow at the south end of the plaza featuring performances by Voices of Praise and Soul Pantry. A vendor market will be set up at the Market Plaza as well. Applications for food, artwork, merchandise, and more will be reviewed on a rolling basis until June 2, with preference given to black owned businesses and vendors. Those interested can apply at wheelingjuneteenth.com. SouthPaw Eats and So Nuts 4 Donuts will be available for attendees.

“Hopefully the novelty of Juneteenth is beginning to wear off and individuals can begin to embrace the holiday as one where we can learn from one another,” said Ron Scott, cultural diversity and community outreach director at the YWCA Wheeling, and chair of the Juneteenth Committee. “Overall, we want to see Juneteenth help foster a closer-knit community.”

“We are so proud to see Wheeling’s Juneteenth celebration grow year after year. Four years ago, we were part of the inaugural celebration, and it lasted about two hours and rained the entire time,” said Betsy Sweeny, Director of Heritage Programs at Wheeling Heritage. “Every single person stayed. It was an impactful moment that demonstrated how important this event is in the community. This year, four years later, we have four days of events, from education to entertainment, and expect our largest crowd yet.”

In the days leading up to June 19, notes about other events celebrating Juneteenth include Ohio Valley Underground Railroad Museum Celebration and Fundraiser, Belmont County NAACP Steak Fry Fundraiser, Men of Change Empowerment Fair, and a free movie screening at Towngate Theatre. More information can be found online at wheelingjuneteenth.com.

All Wheeling Juneteenth events are free and open to the public. For more information or to get involved, visit wheelingjuneteenth.com or contact Ron Scott at cdcodirector@ywcawheeling.org.

WHEELING, W.Va. – June 1, 2023 –Wheeling Heritage announced today the return of its Lunchtime Live! concert series starting on Thursday, June 15 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Market Street Plaza in Downtown Wheeling. This free concert series is intended to engage the downtown community during the midday break.

Musicians for the series include local artists who perform a variety of music genres:

Thursday, June 15: Jason Treuman
Thursday, July 20: Ashley Best
Thursday, August 17: New Age Adenas

Lunchtime Live! began in 2018 to provide a new way for people to experience Downtown Wheeling. This free concert series is generously sponsored by WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital and WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital, with additional support from the City of Wheeling and CMS Bankcard Services.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing Lunchtime Live back for another summer of free, live music on the plaza,” said Alex Panas, Program Manager at Wheeling Heritage. “There’s no better way to take an afternoon break and enjoy the summer weather. We hope to see you there!”

Lunchtime Live! kicks off June 15 starting at 12 p.m. and will continue every third Thursday through August. Guests are encouraged to grab lunch from nearby restaurants before making their way to Market Plaza for the live music. Restaurants such as Tito’s Sloppy Doggs, The Bridge Tavern & Grill and Taqueria 304, Panda Chinese Kitchen, along with visiting food trucks will offer lunch options on concert dates, although call ahead-orders are recommended. Mmm…Popcorn and Lucky Candies 2 will also be offering a variety of snacks and sweets to choose from. There will also be lawn games to enjoy during the lunch break.

Learn more about Lunchtime Live! and all of Wheeling Heritage’s upcoming events by visiting wheelingheritage.org.

WHEELING, W.Va. – May 30, 2023 – Wheeling Heritage has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America™ program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of Accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Wheeling Heritage earned this title in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and now 2023.

“We are very proud to acknowledge this year’s 862 Accredited Main Street America programs, and their steadfast dedication to nurture economically and culturally vibrant downtown districts,” said Hannah White, Interim President & CEO of Main Street America. “The increase in the size and impact of our network speaks volumes to the power of the Main Street movement to respond to the needs of local communities and drive innovative solutions.”

In 2022, Main Street America programs generated $6.2 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 7,657 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 29,174 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,688 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,528,535 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $24.07 of new investment back into their downtown communities.

Collectively, 2 million people live or work within the boundaries of designated Main Street America districts. An estimated workforce of 1.1 million people contributes their skills and expertise to advancing the missions of these historic downtowns and commercial corridors.

Wheeling Heritage’s performance is annually evaluated by Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet rigorous national performance standards. To quality for Accreditation status, communities must meet a set of rigorous standards that include commitments to building grassroots revitalization programs, fostering strong public-private partnerships, nurturing economic opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets.

“As a 2019 Great American Main Street Award Winner, we have been continuously working to grow our Main Street program,” said Betsy Sweeny, Director of Heritage Programming for Wheeling Heritage. “We are thrilled to receive accreditation for another year with the Main Street America Program and continue to work to revitalize our historic main street.”

WHEELING, W.Va. – May 23, 2023 – Volunteer Wheeling, a program of Wheeling Heritage invites you to turn your pooch into an original work of art at their Paint your Pup Paint & Sip. Volunteer Wheeling will host two sessions on June 11 at the Wheeling Artisan Center, 1400 Main Street, Wheeling.

Volunteer Wheeling is an inclusive group that is open to anyone interested in lending a hand to better our community. This group was organized through Wheeling Heritage and the City of Wheeling to take on small-scale beautification projects in Downtown Wheeling and the surrounding neighborhoods.

In this workshop, an artist will guide participants step-by-step to create a custom portrait of their pet. No experience is necessary, and all materials are provided. The morning session will begin at 10 a.m. with the afternoon session following at 2 p.m. Each session will be limited to 30 participants.

Once the masterpieces are complete, Wheeling Heritage will take a digital photo of each canvas to add to their new public art installation. This new installation is located at the Fitzsimmons Dog Park in East Wheeling and was revealed at Volunteer Wheeling’s community event, FidoFest, in May.

Spots for Paint your Pup Paint & Sip must be reserved for $75 per portrait. After reserving a spot, participants will send Wheeling Heritage a photo of their pet for the artist to sketch on the canvas. Spots can be reserved at wheelingheritage.org/fidofest/ until Jan. 2 or all spots are filled.

“The first Paint your Pup event sold out very quickly, so we are excited to offer a second session,” said Alex Panas, Programs Manager for Wheeling Heritage. “If you haven’t seen the new art installation, I encourage you to drive by the Fitzsimmons Family Dog Park in East Wheeling and imagine your pet as part of that.”

For more information on Paint your Pup Paint & Sip, visit wheelingheritage.org/Fidofest

Volunteer Wheeling is working on other beautification projects around the city, including decorating empty storefronts downtown, curb painting, a pocket park and litter clean up. To learn more about Volunteer Wheeling and their upcoming projects, follow them on Facebook, visit wheelingheritage.org/volunteer, or send an email to volunteer@wheelingheritage.org.

New ACRE webpage highlights participants and announces future locations of the program

WHEELING, W.Va. – May 16, 2023 – The Alliance for Creative Rural Economies (ACRE), a program of Bridgeway Capital’s Creative Business Accelerator (CBA), in partnership with Wheeling Heritage and the Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED), has recently announced its inaugural cohort in Wheeling, West Virginia.

This selected group of 14 creative entrepreneurs is committed to the year-long cohort to grow their businesses, make local connections and access opportunities to make a lasting social and economic impact for themselves and the Wheeling community.

“The ACRE Program is designed to foster resilient creative businesses in disinvested areas across a multistate region of Appalachia,” said Katie Johnson, Director of the Creative Business Accelerator at Bridgeway Capital. “After piloting the ACRE program in Johnstown in 2022, we’re very excited to launch another dynamic cohort in Wheeling. The success of and demand for ACRE has enabled us to expand the program across the region to even more locations in the coming months.”

Throughout the year, these creative entrepreneurs will continue to gather, learn together, and share in their successes and challenges. The cohort is composed of like-minded entrepreneurs who seek to improve and evolve their creative and business practices. Of the 14 creative businesses selected, 13 are female entrepreneurs with various trades such as ceramics, soap making, cut-and-sew manufacturing and more.

“We are super excited about this great partnership and the fantastic group of entrepreneurs that will take part in this program,” said Scott Schenerlein, Executive Director at Wheeling Heritage. “The continual growth of small business development only happens when we work to provide more tools to better our workforce. Congratulations to all those that are taking part and thanks again to Bridgeway Capital and RED for their continued support of these projects.”

Beth Bedway, co-founder of East Wheeling Clayworks, is both an ACRE participant and the program’s Ecosystem Coordinator – a role that emphasizes her deep ties to Wheeling and experiences as an entrepreneur. Beth and her husband Adam also received a loan from Bridgeway in 2020 to purchase and renovate their building, which strengthened business and their ties to the community.

“Going into the ACRE Program I’m excited for the opportunities coming up for the small business community in Wheeling,” said Bedway. “Having worked with Bridgeway and the CBA in the past, the breadth of knowledge they are bringing into our town with this program provides tremendous opportunity and to target that knowledge to the specific businesses in the ACRE Cohort is nothing short of game-changing. We have been making pots as East Wheeling Clayworks since 2016, and it hasn’t always been easy to figure out the ins and outs of small business ownership on our own, and while we have made a lot of progress over the years, we are always learning. We look forward to filling gaps in our knowledge by participating in the ACRE Program, as well as building connections with other small businesses in the Friendly City.”

The ACRE program benefits from regional support and strong local partnerships. The ACRE Cohort benefits from the beautiful space provided by Wheeling Heritage to gather for workshops, as well as have the opportunity to sell their products in the Wheeling Artisan Center Shop. Additionally, the ACRE Wheeling program was made possible in part to a grant from the Community Foundation of Ohio Valley (CFOV) and a donation from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.

All ACRE Wheeling participants will be highlighted on a brand-new ACRE webpage hosted by Bridgeway Capital that promotes and celebrates regional creatives through imagery, storytelling, and community events.

To see the full list of 2023 ACRE Wheeling participants and learn about new ACRE program locations, visit

https://www.acrepartners.org/maker-location/wheeling/. 

About Bridgeway Capital
Bridgeway Capital is a mission-driven lender, a nonprofit alternative to banks that lends to small businesses, nonprofits and real estate projects that have a positive community impact. As a Community Development Financial institution (CDFI), Bridgeway is certified by the U.S. Treasury. Since 1990, Bridgeway has invested more than $250 million in communities across the region, with over 90% of the funding provided to low-income communities. As a social impact investor, Bridgeway focuses on equitable economic growth in underserved areas by providing impact-driven lending and programs to grow businesses and revitalize places. For more information, visit www.bridgewaycapital.org.

About Wheeling Heritage:
Wheeling Heritage is a catalyst for the revitalization of Wheeling. Through historic preservation, community development, and the arts, we help to tell Wheeling’s story and shape its future. We seek to improve the quality of life in Wheeling by preserving and investing in our city, collaborating with others, and engaging the citizens of Wheeling in our work.

About RED:
Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED) is a private, nonprofit development corporation that serves Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel Counties in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia, with emphasis on creating jobs and stimulating the local economy through assisting with local business expansion, recruiting new business investment, and encouraging small business development through entrepreneurial activity. RED also is active in the SBA 504 program and offers financial assistance through various state and local loan programs. RED was established as Ohio Valley Industrial Corporation in 1926, and incorporated as OVIBDC in 1961

WHEELING, W.Va. – May 16, 2023 – If you have an idea for a new business, a business expansion, or a project that will impact Wheeling, you are encouraged to apply for Wheeling Heritage’s next Show of Hands. The winner will leave the event with more than $4,000 to put toward his or her idea.

Wheeling Heritage’s Show of Hands program is a crowdfunding effort that supports local entrepreneurs and creative projects in Wheeling. The program hosts presentations live or via online streaming where attendees have paid to vote for their favorite project and the winner is awarded the funds raised through Friends of Show of Hands and the ballots. Since its inception in 2015, Show of Hands has funded over 30 projects and has helped to revitalize the community by supporting local businesses and initiatives.

Applications are due by end of day June 11 and can be completed at wheelingheritage.org/show-of-hands/. A committee will review all applications, and four will be chosen to move on to the presentation round.

Presentations will take place July 26 on the third floor of the Wheeling Artisan Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. with presentations starting at 6:30 p.m. Online streaming and voting will be available. To date, Show of Hands has given more than $116,000 to 30 projects.

Orrick, the program’s corporate sponsor, donates $1,000 for each event. The Friends of Show of Hands, which consists of community members and business owners, contributes $250 to each event. Friends of Show of Hands include Brian Joseph- Touchstone Research Laboratory, Warwood Armature, Kennen & Kennen Realtors, H. Lawrence Jones and Sue Blevins, Rabbi Joshua Lief & Rebecca Lief, Sikora Montessori, Bridgeway Capital, Will and Tracey Turani, Dan and Debbie Joseph, FXB, Barb & Fuzz LaRue, and Steve and Jackie Johnston.

WHEELING, W.Va. – May 15, 2023 – The Wheeling Artisan Center is seeking a first-floor tenant for their freshly renovated building located in the heart of Wheeling’s historic district. The Artisan Center is currently undergoing extensive first floor renovations, preserving the building’s historic charm while incorporating modern amenities.

The first-floor tenant space offers approximately 1,078 square feet of commercial space, ideal for a variety of uses. The space features high ceilings, ideal lighting, beautiful hardwood floors, providing a warm and inviting atmosphere. The Wheeling Artisan Center is looking for a tenant who shares their vision for promoting the arts and culture of Wheeling and the surrounding region.

“We are excited to offer this unique space to a tenant who shares our passion for promoting the arts and culture of our community,” said Wheeling Heritage’s Executive Director, Scott Schenerlein. “Our goal is to create a vibrant and dynamic space that will serve as a hub for the arts in Wheeling.”

The $1.5 million renovations are in process and set to be completed in late fall of 2023. The building is located in the heart of Wheeling’s historic district, providing easy access to a variety of restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions, including Wheeling Heritage Port, the Public Market and Wesbanco Arena. The Wheeling Artisan Center is committed to promoting the arts and culture of Wheeling and is excited to welcome a new tenant to their newly renovated building.

Interested parties should contact Scott Schenerlein, Executive Director for Wheeling Heritage, for more information at sschenerlein@wheelingheritage.org.

WHEELING, W.Va. – May 10, 2023 – Wheeling Heritage is excited to host their next Handmade Holiday: Spring Market on Saturday, May 13 on the third floor of the Wheeling Artisan Center. This market will give shoppers a chance to discover unique gifts made by local entrepreneurs and artisans, just in time for Mother’s Day.

Handmade Holiday: Spring Market is a second artisan market by Wheeling Heritage, inspired by the independent craft fair movement throughout the country. The event strives to establish a marketplace of unique and creative handmade goods that supports local artists, while increasing awareness about handmade, locally produced craft goods and processes.

“We are so happy to offer our Handmade Holiday Spring Market for a second year,” said Alex Panas, program manager for Wheeling Heritage. “The beauty of events like this is not just the unique and one-of-a-kind creations, but the opportunity to support and uplift our local creatives. By choosing to shop local at markets like Handmade Holiday, we are investing in the culture and creativity in our community.”

This market will feature over 40 vendors selling all handmade items including ceramics, art, jewelry, food and more. Vendors attending can be seen on the Handmade Holiday website and featured on the Handmade Holiday Facebook page.

Wheeling Heritage is offering VIP tickets for $10 to those who want early access to shopping starting at 10 a.m. and a complementary mimosa. VIP tickets can be purchased online at wheelingheritage.org/handmade-holiday-spring-market/. All attendees will receive a punch card to track their purchases. Those who make purchases from at least five vendors will be entered into a raffle to receive a $50 gift card to the Wheeling Artisan Center Shop.

 WHEELING, W.Va. – May 8, 2023 – The Wheeling Artisan Center will officially break ground on the $1.5 million renovation project on May 22, 2023. After accepting a bid from Accelerated Construction Services out of Morgantown, West Virginia, the Wheeling Artisan Center looks to refresh the first-floor space of the building. 

Currently home to multiple businesses, the Wheeling Artisan Center is an industrial building with a three-story atrium in the heart of downtown Wheeling. Located at 1400 Main Street, the building is a tribute to the city’s rich cultural heritage. Previously, the building was a combination of three separate buildings and has construction dating pre-Civil War. Two foundry plaques can be found in the building with clearly illustrated state hood of West Virginia. One is marked “VA.” While the other is inscribed “W.VA.” 

“We are so excited that this long-awaited renovation is ready to start,” said Scott Schenerlein, Wheeling Heritage Executive Director. “This beautiful building is an important part of our Main Street landscape and preserving its history for continued use in today’s market is at the core of our mission. We owe a debt of gratitude to so many for making this happen. When it’s completed it will be a testament to the pillars of our work: Historic Preservation, Small Business Development, Grants and Investments and Arts and Culture.” 

Within this renovation, the Artisan Center Shop will be relocated to the first floor, along the windows of Main Street, giving the shop a traditional storefront. This will move the restaurant into one side of the building, opening the atrium up to be used for galleries and events. Local business, House of Rouse, will be reupholstering the original booths. Pairing with the City’s Streetscape project, an outdoor dining area will be added to the restaurant tenant space on the 14th street side. Other projects include refinishing the floors, upgrades to the restrooms and lighting, new wayfinding, relocation of the gaming room, and more. There is also a 1,078 square foot, first floor tenant space available for those looking for a storefront. 

Victor Greco of the Mills Group offered: “This is an exciting project for the Wheeling Heritage Corporation and the City of Wheeling. The planned improvements will breathe new life into the building with the Wheeling Artisan Center Shop relocated to the street level, consolidation of the River City bar and restaurant and new interior and toilet room finishes, and new lighting. The corner building will be enhanced with new façade lighting, colorful banners, and outdoor dining along 14th Street. We are proud to further help with the revitalization of the City’s street life.” 

During renovations, River City and the Wheeling Artisan Center Shop plan to remain open. A temporary bar will be placed in the Atrium while work on the bar section occurs. Once that is completed, the restaurant 

will utilize the original bar. The Wheeling Artisan Center Shop will remain on the second floor with shoppers able to utilize the front doors. Online shopping will be available at artisancenter.com for those who would like delivery or local pick up. 

This project has been generously funded by a $1 million federal earmark, along with $750,000 from the City’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, and support from Wheeling Heritage. With the work of the Mills Group, The City of Wheeling, Wheeling Heritage and Accelerated Construction Services, this project is expected to be completed in late 2023. Updates on the progress of the project will be posted at wheelingheritage.org/project/artisan-center/.