History Alive! – Gabriel Arthur

See history come alive and learn more about Gabriel Arthur at Beech Fork State Park!
Arthur is believed to be the first white man to see the Kanawha Valley during his travels with Native Americans in 1674. He was sent with a partner and others from Fort Henry (present day Petersburg, Virginia) to explore western lands and trade with Native Americans. His partner was killed and Arthur traveled widely with the natives, apparently participating in raids in the Ohio Valley and elsewhere. During this time, he followed the Big Coal River to its mouth at the Kanawha River. Arthur and the southern Indians with whom he traveled were welcomed at the large Moneton Indian village at present day St. Albans before returning to Fort Henry with a load of furs.
Arthur will be portrayed by Doug Wood of Hurricane. Program starts at 7 p.m. and lasts about one hour. Meet at the Beech Fork State Park activity room at park headquarters. Family-friendly. Open to the public at no cost.
The Gabriel Arthur presentation is a History Alive! program made possible by the West Virginia Humanities Council and West Virginia State Park system.