Historic Train Depot to Become Local Artisan Center

White Oak Rail TrailRailroad enthusiasts in Oak Hill, West Virginia, are turning a historic train depot into an Artisan Center.

According to the West Virginia Gazette, the White Oak Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society is preparing for a ribbon cutting on May 4th. The venue will be called White Oak Depot Artisan and Heritage Center.

Susan Craun, chapter secretary, explained that live music and artistic demonstration will be offered at the site throughout the next few months. So far, fifteen artists have been juried for the gallery.

The new Center will be built on the halfway point along the White Oak Rail Trail, which was built around 1903. Thanks to donations from the Coal Heritage Highway Authority, the site will feature a handicap-accessible restroom, as well as landscaping, seating, and a dog-watering station.

The Beauty and Value of Ancient Art

Ancient art is of twofold significance, as implied by the name. When an object is ancient its importance comes from the mere fact that it is an example of something that no longer exists, or something that teaches us about ITS culture or civilization. This is true even of objects that were not created as works of art but as artifacts, such as ancient tools or eating utensils.

But when an object is not only ancient, but is also considered an art object, either when it was created, such as a sculpture or paintings, or in the present day, such as coins or pottery, the object takes on a significance much more meaningful than the mere fact that the object is old.