West Virginia University Extension Service will be able to educate even more youths and adults across the state and region about Appalachias rich heritage thanks to a $5,000 grant from West Virginia Dominion Foundation.

West Virginia Dominion Foundation provided the grant to help offset the cost of equipment and supplies for the WVU Jacksons Mill Historic Area and WVU Extension ServiceHistory Hitting the Roadprogram.

Through Dominions generous contribution, we will be able to expand programming and reach even more youth throughout West Virginia with our heritage education programs, utilizing both on-site and off-site programming,said Dean Hardman, programming specialist for Heritage Programming at WVU Jacksons Mill.

WVU Extension began the heritage program at the WVU Jackson Mills historic area in 2002. WVU Extension Service expanded the program in 2004 to include History Hitting the Road, a traveling history program providing hands-on outreach to schools and festivals across the state. Whether at WVU Jacksons Mill or through the History Hitting the Road program, youth and adults can experience candle making, climb atop an authentic covered wagon or learn to pull wool, among other programs.

Since its inception, the overall program has grown significantly. By the end of 2006, the History Hitting the Road and Historic Area Tours attracted participants from 19 counties and four states, educating nearly 10,000 adults and reaching 30,000 school-age children.

Jacksons Mill and Dominion have enjoyed a relationship for many years that has brought lasting benefits to the thousands who visit the Mill each year,said Bob Orndorff, chairman of the West Virginia Dominion Foundation.Were especially pleased to be part of the heritage history program that will give our youth a glimpse of work and leisure activities that reflect the values and traditions of the Appalachian people.

Dominion is one of the nations largest producers of energy, with an energy portfolio of about 28,700 megawatts of generation, about 6 trillion cubic feet equivalent of proved natural gas reserves and 7,900 miles of natural gas transmission pipeline. Dominion also operates the nations largest underground natural gas storage system with more than 965 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves retail energy customers in nine states.

WVU Jacksons Mill, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was the boyhood home of Civil War Gen. Thomas J.”Stonewall”Jackson, one of the most brilliant strategists in American military history. In 1921, property that included the original Jackson homestead was given to WVU to establish the nations first state 4-H camp.

Each year the Mill hosts camps, retreats, workshops and demonstration events that develop leadership, citizenship, life skills, and self-worth for youths, teens and volunteers connected with the WVU Extension 4-H program.

The Dominion Foundation grant was made through the WVU Foundation, a private non-profit corporation that generates and provides support for West Virginia University.