Honoring the 100th anniversary of Byrd’s birth, the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education has created a major traveling exhibit, “Robert C. Byrd: Senator, Statesman, West Virginian,” which debuted at Shepherd University in April 2016. The exhibit is now touring the state of West Virginia to culminate with a celebration of Senator Byrd’s 100th birthday in November at the State Capitol in Charleston.
“We are thrilled to have an opportunity to showcase Senator Byrd’s vast body of work and important contributions in a setting easily accessible to Marshall students, faculty and the Huntington community,” said Dr. Monica Brooks, associate vice president of libraries and online learning. “Drinko Library is open more than any other building on campus and is the perfect place to serve as a hub during this part of the exhibit’s statewide tour.”
The exhibit features documents and photographs from Byrd’s extensive archive of 60 years of public service and includes images as widely varied as his childhood drawings and photographs of him meeting with presidents, said Dr. Raymond Smock, director of the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education.
“For any West Virginian who remembers Senator Byrd, the exhibit will bring back memories of what he has done for this state and the nation,” Smock said. “Everywhere we have taken the exhibit we have heard personal stories from those who had encounters with Senator Byrd or who remember how he impacted their lives.
“One of the most popular features of the exhibit is a large map of West Virginia showing all the federal projects Senator Byrd helped to bring to the state. We are still adding up the amount of such funding but so far it exceeds $10 billion for roads, highways, schools, flood control projects, coal miner benefits and federal agencies located in West Virginia.”
The celebration of the exhibit’s opening will begin at 10 a.m. in Drinko 402 with an exhibit preview and a panel discussion about Byrd’s life and legacy, moderated by Dr. Kevin Barksdale, associate professor of American history at Marshall. Panelists will include Smock; Dr. C. Damien Arthur, Marshall assistant professor of public administration and policy; and Dr. Jay Wyatt, director of programs and research at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education.
Later in the afternoon, the exhibit will formally open with a reception from 4-6 p.m. in the Drinko Atrium.
The public is encouraged to attend the panel discussion and the exhibit opening and reception.
The exhibit will be on display at the John Deaver Drinko Library through May 15. Area schools are invited to visit the exhibit.
More information about the exhibit is available at www.byrdcenter.org/traveling-exhibit.