West Virginia Humanities Council Highlighted Local Talent
The latest edition of People & Mountains features Elkins natives and honors recent award recipients.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Historical
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The West Virginia Humanities Council has released the Fall 2026 issue of its digital magazine, People & Mountains. The publication highlights the cultural contributions of two Elkins natives, fiber artist Enrica McMillon and National Heritage Fellow Gerry Milnes.
Why it matters
This publication promotes West Virginia culture by archiving traditional arts and scholarship for future generations. It connects local heritage to broader state initiatives through digital accessibility and educational programming.
The magazine publishes three times a year and is available for free on the Council's website. Featured speaker Rick Atkinson has earned three Pulitzer Prizes, including one for history in 2003.
The players
West Virginia Humanities Council
This organization supports humanities programming and preserves cultural heritage throughout the state.
Enrica McMillon
She is a fiber artist from Elkins who appears on the cover of the council's digital magazine.
Gerry Milnes
He is an Elkins native and recipient of the 2026 Bess Lomax Hawes National Heritage Fellowship.
Rick Atkinson
He is an accomplished author and journalist who has received three Pulitzer Prizes throughout his career.
The details
The Fall 2026 issue features fiber artist Enrica McMillon on the cover, while the content celebrates Gerry Milnes, recipient of the Bess Lomax Hawes National Heritage Fellowship. Additionally, the issue profiles author Rick Atkinson, who will deliver the 2026 Betsy K. McCreight Lecture in the Humanities.
Timeline
May 2026: The West Virginia Humanities Council hosted a celebration for Gerry Milnes.
Fall 2026: The latest digital magazine edition was published.
Oct. 15, 2026: The Betsy K. McCreight Lecture will take place at the Capitol Theater.
Culture Shift
The archival of traditional music and art demonstrations into the e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia follows a broader shift toward digitizing regional heritage. This project ensures that West Virginia's cultural legacy is maintained within the state's established digital infrastructure.
Residents can access the new magazine edition for free at any time through the organization's website. Interested attendees can contact 304-346-8500 for information regarding the upcoming lecture event.
The takeaway
The commitment to documenting local artisans and scholars ensures that the state's cultural narrative remains active for future residents. Readers can support this history by engaging with local arts programs and attending public humanities lectures.
What happens next
Rick Atkinson will present the 2026 Betsy K. McCreight Lecture in the Humanities on Oct. 15, 2026, at the Capitol Theater in Charleston.
Further reading
Explore more about state heritage in the Historical section.
More information
View the current digital issue on the West Virginia Humanities Council digital magazine website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Theintermountain.
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