The Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission (JCHLC) will hold two sessions of a free workshop on how to use the West Virginia GeoExplorer history database. The training sessions will be held at the Shepherd University Ruth Scarborough Library, Instruction Lab 307, on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. and repeated again on Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 7 to 9 p.m. The two-hour sessions will provide an introductory overview of the GeoExplorer’s content and search features and a hands-on experience using classroom computers. To register email Bill Theriault at: wmtheriault@myactv.net.

Sponsored by JCHLC, the West Virginia GeoExplorer Project (WVGP) is an innovative geographically based web database for exploring the history, culture, and architecture of Jefferson County. The WV GeoExplorer uses Geographic Information System (GIS) technology and digital imaging, and has a rich concentration of local primary historical materials such as photographs, newspapers, letters, deeds, census records and books. The WV GeoExplorer is freely available for scholars, students and anyone interested in local history. Visit the project website at: wvgeohistory.org.