City of Weirton Hosts 2009 "Festival of Nations"

Centennial Recognition of the Diverse Heritage of native Americans, settlers and immigrants who put weirton west virginia on the map

On May 16, 2009, Weirton celebrated 100 years of existence with a festival highlighting the diversity of ethnic and racial heritage that has produced some of the finest steel and tin plate in America. The Festival of Nations was held in the Thomas E. Millsop Community Center, built by Mr. Ernest T. Weir in 1952.

Mr. Weir was born in Pittsburgh, and had worked in steel production throughout southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia for many years. In 1909,under his leadership, the Phillips Sheet & Tin Plate Company from Clarksburg West Virginia was moved to a site along the Ohio River known as "Holliday's Cove". The Cove was renamed "Weirton", and in 1918, the mills of Phillips Sheet & Tin Plate Company were renamed the Weirton Steel Company.

People from many races and nations came together to help put Weirton on the map. Their history is preserved by the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center located on Main Street in Weirton, the host of the 2009 Festival of Nations.

The Festival of Nations

According to the Souvenir Program, Weirton's Festival of Nations was initiated, supported, and directed by the Weirton Steel Company. Originated in 1937, the celebration was held annually on Labor Day. The Greek community was an active participant since those early days, having itself been founded in Weirton in 1918. Other ethnic communities included Czecho-Slovaks, Finnish, Italians, Magyars, Polish, Russians, and Yugo-Slavs. Over the years, other ethnic groups established substantial community presence in the area.

Weirton in 1953 with Mr. Ernest T. Weir

Please enjoy the photos showing the ethnic and cultural diversity that still exists in the city of Weirton.

From early years, the Greek community was active in Weirton.

It continues to be active today, with many of the Festival of Nations host committee members being of Greek descent and members of the All Saints Church community.