World War Memorial (Kimball, West Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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World War Memorial
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 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | US 52, Kimball, West Virginia |
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| Built | 1928 |
| Built by | Boone, Eason & Woods |
| Architect | Hassel T. Hicks |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 93000227 |
| Added to NRHP | April 09, 1993 |
The World War Memorial, also called the Kimball War Memorial Building, is a special place in Kimball, West Virginia. It was designed in 1927 by architect Hassel T. Hicks and opened in 1928. This memorial was built to honor African-American soldiers who fought in World War I.
It was the very first memorial in the United States created specifically for African-American veterans. For many years, the building served as a community center. It was a place where people in the coal mining area could meet and gather. Sadly, a fire in 1991 badly damaged the inside of the building. After standing as a ruin for over ten years, the memorial was restored. It was even added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993, even while it was still damaged.
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Why This Memorial Is Important
The World War Memorial in Kimball is a landmark because of its history. It was built to honor a group of brave soldiers who were often overlooked. This building shows how important it was to recognize the contributions of African-American veterans.
Honoring African-American Veterans
Many African-Americans worked in the coal mines of McDowell County. About 35% of the workers were African-American. When World War I started, 1,500 of them volunteered to serve their country.
After the war, a memorial was built in Welch, West Virginia, for all veterans. However, African-American veterans wanted their own special place. They asked the county government for help. The county agreed and gave $25,000 to build the Kimball War Memorial.
What Was Inside the Building?
When it was finished, the memorial building had many useful rooms. It included a meeting room that could hold 100 people. There was also a trophy room, a kitchen, and a recreation center for fun activities. The building even had a library.
People from all backgrounds in the community used the building. It was also home to the Kimball American Legion post. This was the first American Legion post specifically for African-American veterans. The building was used until the 1970s, when it was no longer kept up.
The Building's Restoration
After being empty for many years, the building was damaged by fire in 1991. For over a decade, it stood as a ruin. But people believed in its importance and wanted to save it.
In the 2000s, the building was finally restored. It looks beautiful again and is now used as a community center. The restoration project even won an award from the West Virginia chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Today, the World War Memorial continues to serve its community and honor its history.
