Celebrate Mom in Southern West Virginia!

Mother’s Day is almost here! Trace this holiday’s roots back to West Virginia, then honor Mom by spending time with her at a fabulous brunch she’s sure to enjoy.

Ties to the Mountain State
Did you know that the first official Mother’s Day was celebrated in West Virginia? Anna Jarvis, a resident of Grafton in Taylor County, organized a memorial ceremony to honor her mother and all mothers at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church on May 10, 1908. Today, the church is the International Mother’s Day Shrine.

But that’s not the full story. This holiday has very somber roots, and the original Mother’s Day looked very different from the Mother’s Day we celebrate today. The origins of Mother’s Day began in the 1850s. Anna Jarvis’ mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, held Mother’s Day work clubs to improve sanitary conditions and lower the infant mortality rate. During the Civil War, these groups of women also tended to wounded soldiers. After the war, Reeves Jarvis and other women organized Mother’s Day Friendship Picnics to promote peace and unification. In fact, Julia Ward Howe, best known as the composer of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” issued a “Mother’s Day Proclamation” in 1870, which called for women to take an active political role in promoting peace.

After the death of her mother in 1905, Anna was inspired to celebrate the legacy of her mother, and encouraged others to do the same. Thus, the first Mother’s Day as we know it today was celebrated in West Virginia in 1908.

Fabulous Meals
Don’t make your mom cook! Celebrate her this Mother’s Day by treating her to a wonderful brunch at one of these Southern West Virginia establishments:

Tamarack: Give your mother the Best of West Virginia at Tamarack’s brunch buffet!

Smokey’s Steakhouse at Adventures on the Gorge: Treat Mom to a fabulous meal with a view on the rim of the New River Gorge!

Dobras Zupas: This cozy eatery in Beckley will serve up hearty selections for every taste.

The McCreery Conference and Event Center: Head to Hinton for this brunch meal full of classic holiday treats!

The Resort at Glade Springs: Dine in style in the Bright Ballroom this Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day! How will you spend time with your mom?