Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Saturday, March 4, 2024.

Tourism has not only bounced back, but surpassed pre-pandemic levels in Harpers Ferry .. Dip into history and the Niagara Movement with The History Project … and Mountain State Music showcases emerging artists in #YesWV. And now for the rest of the story on today's daily304…

#1 – From WVPUBLIC.ORG – Tourists from around the world visit Harpers Ferry each year to immerse themselves in U.S. history. But four years ago, things were a lot quieter downtown with the COVID-19 pandemic spreading nationwide.

The park is now back to its former self, with activities and tour opportunities restored, according to Kristen Maxfield, an interpretation and education program manager at the park

Every year since 2020, the number of visitors to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park has grown. In 2023, more than 400,000 people visited the park. That marks a growth of more than 100,000 visitors when compared to 2019.

Read more:

https://wvpublic.org/harpers-ferry-reaches-new-heights-four-years-after-pandemic/

#2 – From THE HISTORY PROJECT– Frustrated with the decline of Reconstruction, author and intellectual W.E.B. DuBois organized the greatest African-American minds of the early 20th century to form the Niagara Movement. After its first conference held in Canada, the movement's first meeting in the United States was a symbolic and landmark event at Harpers Ferry, and it would resonate to this very day.

Check out the video by The History Project, the daily304’s presentation of famous people, places and events that shaped West Virginia. 

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=qwW3G3Bll6MKJSmP&v=6m4fpFISd1U&feature=youtu.be

#3 – From MOUNTAIN STATE MUSIC – There are so many talented musicians in West Virginia, and the daily304 wants to shine a spotlight on each and every one of them. Every month, we introduce you to creative West Virginia artists and their original songs. It’s a concert from your couch, and you don’t even have to pay a cover charge. Sit back, relax and enjoy live music from the Folklore Stage. Check it out. Our anniversary show was amazing!

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbTIXU2Zp-KmCJ7a1xb3q8DajmrkL4hYX

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.