Secretary of State Strikes a Different Sort of Gold

Here's a neat story that nicely coincides with West Virginia's birthday and the Fourth of July: a review of documents in a fire-proof vault at the Secretary of State's office revealed previously overlooked records from the state's founding and other historic events.

As The Associated Press reports, the trove includes the state's first executive journal (which begins with the first governor's 1863 oath of office), minutes of the 1872 State Constitutional Convention, and the 1936 certificate of announcement for the candidacy for Franklin D. Roosevelt.

"So many times we get wrapped up in the business of the office, we don't realize some of the treasures that are here," chief of staff Ben Beakes told AP.

The Register-Herald of Beckley also has the story, as does Public Broadcasting, offering this audio interview.

Secretary of State Betty Ireland also issued a release on the discovery.