DNR Searches for Old Issues of Wonderful West Virginia Magazine
OutdoorHub 05.30.12
Since its inception in 1937, when it was called West Virginia Conservation, readers have treasured the monthly issues of Wonderful West Virginia magazine. Many people have saved back issues for generations. Now, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, which publishes Wonderful West Virginia, is asking for help in finding copies of about 65 specific issues to be included in the magazine’s official archives.
“People tell us that their dad kept every issue of the magazine; we just can’t throw them out,” said Mike Bryant with WVDNR. Noting that most issues have been archived on the www.wvdnr.gov website under the link “WWV Magazine Archives,” Bryant is issuing a request for help from subscribers.
“We’d like them to look in those boxes of treasures stuffed under beds and in attic corners for older issues of Wonderful West Virginia Magazine. The digital archive requires scanning of an actual magazine issue and there are several issues we just don’t have to complete the entire archive. About 900 issues have been published over the past 75 years. We’re hoping families that have held on to the magazine throughout the years are willing to part with specific months that we’re searching for so we can complete our digital files.”
Wonderful West Virginia magazine shares stories, information and images of the Mountain State. The photography in the magazine illustrates what words sometimes fail to describe – the beauty found in the Mountain State.
Beginning as West Virginia Conservation from 1937 -1967, in March 1967 the magazine was retitled Outdoor West Virginia and retained that name until January 1970, when the name changed to Wonderful West Virginia and it is still printed under that name today.
Individuals wishing to help the WVDNR to complete the digital archives by donating missing issues may contact Mike Bryant at 324 4th Avenue, South Charleston WV 25303 or email mike.d.bryant@wv.gov. Wonderful West Virginia is published monthly by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.
Specific Issues of West Virginia Magazine Needed for Archives
1937 – 1938, 1939, 1940 and 1941 – All issues
1942 – January, February, March, and April
1943 – June
1945 – January, February, March
1946 – January and February
1947 – All issues
1948 – February
1949 – April, June, July, August, September, December
1950 – February, March, May, June, July, October, November
1951 – August
1952 – May
1953 – October
1954 – March
1955 – January, February, May, June, July
1956 – March, May
1957 – August
1958 – January, October
1961 – April, June, October
Issues contributed to this project will not be returned. Individuals assisting in recovery of these select issues will receive a small gift of appreciation. To learn more about or to subscribe to Wonderful West Virginia Magazine, visit www.wonderfulwv.com or call 304-558-9152.
