ST. ALBANS, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A piece of St. Albans’ rich history is returning home. The George Washington Monument, initially erected in 1932 to commemorate Washington’s 1784 acquisition of 2,000 acres of land along the Kanawha and Coal Rivers, has been restored and relocated to the front lawn of St. Albans High School. A dedication ceremony will be held on Tuesday, February 4, at 1 PM to celebrate this historic moment.
The monument was initially placed in front of the original St. Albans High School on Kanawha Terrace, which later became St. Albans Junior High. After the junior high’s closure in 1990 and the building’s demolition in 2023 following a fire in 2018, the monument was removed from the property. Thanks to the efforts of the SAHS Alumni Association, the monument has been restored and returned to a place of honor at the new high school, just a mile east of its original location.
Mayor Scott James, Principal Jaclyn Swayne, former principals, teachers, alumni, and members of the St. Albans Chamber of Commerce and community will gather to witness the official dedication of the restored monument. This event will honor the city’s deep historical roots and the efforts made to preserve its heritage.
The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony and celebrate the return of this significant landmark. For more information, please contact the SAHS Alumni Association or visit the City of St. Albans’ official website.