Pulling the Thread: Untangling Wheeling History with Dr. Christina Fisanick

October 08, 2024
12:00pm - 1:00pm

Pulling the Thread: Untangling Wheeling History is a new collection of thirty-three essays by Dr. Christina Fisanick, an English professor with a passion for historical storytelling. From her childhood beginnings in Moundsville, West Virginia, to her return to Wheeling after earning a PhD, Fisanick's journey through local, state, and national archives unfolds a tapestry of Wheeling's rich past. Each essay is a thread pulled, leading to unexpected connections and revelations. From indigenous peoples to contemporary Juneteenth celebrations, Fisanick weaves a narrative that transcends time, bringing to light forgotten stories and hidden ties. Through meticulous research, she uncovers Mark Twain's unexpected links to Wheeling, the birth of the town of Power spurred by a Parisian exhibition, and even the connection between Oglebay Park and the tragic wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Fisanick's prose is as engaging as it is informative, blending the rigor of historical research with the flair of a novelist. Readers will learn about Wheeling's Jewish heritage, the city's role in the film industry, and stories such as the Black Panther demonstration at Wheeling High School. 

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"Lunch With Books" is the library’s flagship program for adult patrons. These lunchtime programs feature authors, poets, musicians, historians, and more every Tuesday at noon. Bring lunch (to your computer), feed your brain!