Editor’s note: Mary Catherine Brooks currently serves as a member of the museum board of directors.

A variety of historic items have been given, and loaned, to the Wyoming County Historical Museum, but the centerpiece will be John Cooke’s rifle. The rifle has been loaned to the museum by Mildred Shannon, widow of U.J. Shannon, a direct descendent of Cooke.

John Cooke is the first known permanent settler of Wyoming County. He built his cabin at the mouth of Laurel Fork, in what is today Oceana, in the late 1790s, according to historians. His gun is believed to have been constructed in the 1700s as well.

Cooke fought in the Revolutionary War and fought against the Indians as a soldier, according to historians.

“If this gun could talk...,” emphasized Jesse Womack, president of the museum board of directors.

The last time the rifle was reportedly fired — Shannon’s grandfather followed a bear into a cave and shot it, Larry Cooper, second vice president of the museum board, told those gathered for the presentation of the rifle.

The barrel of the rifle is so long, Mildred Shannon explained, that a stick was pushed into the ground to stabilize the gun.

“It is a very unique piece,” Cooper emphasized.

“U.J. would be very proud,” Mildred Shannon said. “It was a treasure to our family.”

Cooper also explained that those who used such rifles had to be able to run and load the gun at the same time, then turn and fire.

Womack lauded the Wyoming County Commission for providing funding for the museum and Oceana Mayor Nola Rose for providing space for the museum and other support.

The outdoor sign was donated by Montani Graphics and valued at about $1,500, Womack said.

Numerous other benefactors have provided items and support for the museum, he said.

Rose said the museum should be operational as long as the town stands and she hopes to see it expand in the near future.

The museum is in need of historic pieces, Womack said. The pieces can be given, or loaned, to the museum, he explained. Organizers hope displayed items will rotate, giving visitors a reason to return again and again.

Located next to the Oceana fire department, the building is secured with steel bars on the windows and a state-of-the-art security system, which includes DVR cameras that cover the entire building, Womack emphasized.

Each municipality in Wyoming County will have a display case for artifacts inside the museum and organizers hope other areas of the county will be represented as well.

The official opening of the museum is scheduled May 14 at 2 p.m., with Gov. Joe Manchin scheduled to appear.

Efforts to include representatives from across the county on the museum board were successful, but all those contacted about participating did not respond, according to officials.

Current officers include Jesse Womack, of Oceana, president; Epp Cline, Oceana, first vice president; Larry Cooper, Baileysville, second vice president; Betsy Ross, Pineville, third vice president; Bev Toler, Cyclone, fourth vice president; along with Jim Cook, Oceana, secretary; Tammy Morgan, Oceana, treasurer; and David “Bugs” Stover, of Pierpoint, parliamentarian.

Board of directors members currently include Pat Adams, Pineville; Paul Ray Blankenship, Oceana; Mary Catherine Brooks, Kopperston; Gene Gilliland, Oceana; Nola Rose, Oceana; Jeanette Toler, Oceana; and Betty Webber, Pineville.

For more information or to contribute items, contact Jesse Womack at 304-682-7448 or write the Wyoming County Historical Museum Inc., P. O. Box 190, Oceana, WV 24870.