Since 1935
The Magazine
The longest continually published county annual in West Virginia — a curated collection of articles about Jefferson County history, its people, and its historic homes.
Our Legacy
A Living Chronicle
The Society published the first edition of The Magazine of the Jefferson County Historical Society in December 1935. Every year since, a new volume has explored the people, places, and historic homes that have shaped the county’s identity.
Readers of The Magazine became accustomed to seeing a profile of our county’s namesake Thomas Jefferson, facing left, on the opening page.
In 1950 The Society added the credo “No man is fit to be entrusted with the control of the present who is ignorant of the past, and no people who are indifferent to their past need hope to make their future great” to The Magazine. The Editor later added the quote “It is history that teaches us to hope” attributed to Robert Edward Lee, writing to Charles Marshall in 1870.
The Society maintains an inventory of back issues of The Magazine. They were included in the move to Happy Retreat and are now stored in bookshelves in our office. Each is still in print and is available for purchase from the Society.
Stewards of History
Magazine Editors
Seven dedicated editors have guided The Magazine through nine decades of preserving Jefferson County’s rich history.
Explore Our Collection
Magazine Archives
Browse our complete archive of Magazine volumes dating back to 1935.
Own a piece of history
Purchase Back Issues
All past issues of The Magazine are still in print and available for purchase from the Society.
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