Our state's natural setting of agriculture and industrial development are captured in West Virginia's great seal.

On September 26, 1863 Joseph H. DisDebar's design of the state seal was accepted by the state legislature. Each part of the seal has special meaning for our state. In the center of the seal stands a stone, signifying strength. Ivy on the stone symbolizes stability. On one side of the stone stands a farmer with an ax cradled in his arm indicating the presence of orginal forests. The farmer has his hand on a plow with a sheath of wheat and a cornstalk nearby representing agriculture. The other side of the stone finds a miner which represents natural resources (coal mining). A sledgehammer rests on an anvil to indicate mechanical skills. The two crossed rifles lying in the foreground depicts independence won and maintained by force if necessary.

A rope-like border encloses a gold braid with the state name and motto "Mountaineers Are Always Free". Inscribed on the stone is the date on which West Virginia became a separate state in the Union.

...Laura and Eva: 8th grade MJHS