Brief History of the West Virginia State Flag

You might see the West Virginia flag flying proudly in municipalities and public buildings across the state, but do you know the history behind it? The current design was adopted in 1929, but its roots go back much further. Keep reading to learn more about the history of the West Virginia flag.

The first official flag of West Virginia was adopted in 1863, just two years after the state seceded from Virginia during the Civil War. The flag featured a white background with a narrow blue stripe along the edge. In the center was a circular seal featuring a farmer and a miner flanking an image of Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home. Above the scene were the words “State of West Virginia.”

This flag served as West Virginia’s official banner for nearly 60 years, until it was redesigned in 1929. The new flag kept the same basic layout as the old one, with a white background and blue stripe along the edge. However, the central seal was replaced with a simplified image of an eagle perched atop a rock. This new flag has served as the official banner ever since.

While it might not be as eye-catching as some other state flags, there is a lot of history and meaning behind the West Virginia flag. So next time you see it flying, take a moment to appreciate all that it represents.

The West Virginia flag is steeped in history and symbolism. Next time you see it flying, take a moment to appreciate all that it represents—from our state’s proud agricultural and industrial heritage to our status as one of America’s mountain states.