Helvetia, West Virginia, is a small, isolated village in the Appalachian Mountains, founded in 1869 by Swiss settlers. Its Swiss heritage remains strong, with traditional architecture, German-language signs, and a close-knit community of only 59 residents, many of whom are descendants of the original settlers. Due to its remoteness, Helvetia has preserved its customs, including Fasnacht, a vibrant pre-Lenten celebration featuring masks, music, dancing, and the symbolic burning of "Old Man Winter" to welcome spring. The town’s only restaurant, the Hütte, serves authentic Swiss-German cuisine during Fasnacht, reinforcing the town’s cultural identity. Despite economic challenges and population decline, Helvetians remain committed to keeping their Swiss traditions alive through annual festivals and community efforts.

Discover the fascinating history of streetcars and Clarksburg’s vibrant past as Bob Taylor recounts personal stories, community connections, and nostalgic memories of West Virginia’s evolution. A heartfelt dive into transportation, local culture, and historical preservation.

Martha interviews long-time actor David Selby, a West Virginia native who still loves his home state!

Fort New Salem is a living history museum in North Central West Virginia, showcasing a reconstructed 19th-century frontier settlement with 17 relocated log structures. Operated by the nonprofit Fort New Salem Foundation since 2005, it preserves and interprets Appalachian culture, crafts, and traditions through seasonal events like the nationally recognized "Spirit of Christmas in the Mountains." Martha Jett visited with one member of the board of directors who is working to keep the tradition going.

Lew Dobbins spent more than 47 years in radio and television broadcasting in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Lew reminisces about his career in country music, his experiences meeting with music celebrities like Dolly Parton, George Jones, and Tammy Wynette. In 2008, Lew was inducted into the West Virginia Broadcasters Hall of Fame and in 2017 he compiled his memories into his memoir "Lew Dobbins: Behind the Microphone"

The Author of The Most Hated Man in Clarksburg, retired Army Lt. Col. Peter Taylor visits the museum to talk about his work as a Civil war and military historian and his experiences in Vietnam.

Clarksburg’s VFW 573 is West Virginia’s oldest post. The post is named for the Meuse-Argonne offensive in WW1, symbolizing strength and tenacity of the Veterans who find friendship within the organization.

Clarksburg’s own Sam Folio, a world wide musical talent, recounts his stories of a young kid in a bustling Clarksburg, West Virginia. Sam shares memories of learning to play his first instrument plus his time in multiple performing venues and how he met some of the world’s most famous musicians in the industry.

Museum of American Glass in West Virginia
Tom Felt, Curator and Archivist at the museum talks about the long history of glass production in the US and West Virginia, as well as details about glass production in West Virginia.

Author and historian Bob Anderson shares insight into a nearly forgotten group of people who are responsible for building our national park system. Clarksburg, West Virginia was home to one of those Civilian Conservation Corps camps and is now home to the state CCC museum at Quiet Dell. Dr. Anderson also recounts an interview he had with man who as a youngster who had a chilling encounter with West Virginia's most famous serial killer, Harry Powers.

Reminisce with Martha Jett and a long-time Clarksburg resident Mr. Tom Maditz as they recall his time growing up on the family farm in Mt. Clare, West Virginia, school days in downtown Clarksburg and his work at Wilson Bakery and Eagle Convex Glass.

The community of Johnstown located in Harrison County, West Virginia and just 15 or so miles south of Clarksburg, holds much history connected to the county seat as well as its own stories. From the Civil War era with the Armsey arrest and exchange for Clarksburg's founder Nathan Goff, to the founding of the community band in the early part of the 20th century, to the farming traditions that are continued there today, Johnstown shines with history.

Greek immigrants migrated to Clarksburg in the early part of the 20th century to work in the Tinplate factory in the Summit Park section of Clarksburg.

Farmers and their families played a vital role throughout all of West Virginia as well as Harrison County. One family farm is working to bring farming back in a lot of different ways including the way they distribute produce and by growing a crop brand new to Harrison County.

Daniel Davisson played a significant role in the early development of Clarksburg, West Virginia (then known as Clarksburg, Virginia). His contributions were foundational to Clarksburg's early governance and development.

Host Martha Jett interviews Mr. Joe Gonzalez, a former chief of the Clarksburg Fire Department and a historian in his own right. Learn about tales of the past of CFD and other stories related to the history of our brave first responders.

Learn the history of Mother’s Day. Our host Martha Jett is on location at the place of Anna Jarvis’ birth to hear this amazing story - and to learn the connection to Clarksburg!