W.Va. Still Without a State Museum

But that should change in 2009, thanks to an additional $6 million in needed funding approved by the Legislature during the week's special session.

After years of delays and cost overruns, the state has labored to create a new museum in the space left by the previous one beneath the Capitol Complex's Cultural Center.

Culture and History Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith tells MetroNews that the supplemental appropriation passed Tuesday should be the final piece of funding needed.

"Work is expected to take the next 15 to 18 months, which means the site should open by March of 2009 at the latest," MetroNews reports.