. >> we are in the federal in thet court's room united states customhouse of wheeling, virginia in 1869 that is now known as west virginia independence hall. this is the birthplace of the great state of west virginia during the american civil war. it will be the place conventions will be held that will form a new government. a government loyal to the united states and union, and this new thernment will then create new state of west virginia. our nation was in the mid-of the terrible civil war. those in eastern virginia predominantly were supportive of the confederacy. went virginia -- when vendor -- virginia takes her last vote 1860 one, the majority of delegates will vote to secede from the united states and join the southern confederacy. those in northwestern virginia who were overwhelmingly against secession they will come to the side of the mountains. to decide what western virginia would do. they decided they needed a place or more formal convention and wheeling would be the best place to have that convention. it would be safe. it is stuck in the land between the great and powerful

west virginia followed the united states customhouse that was never his the capital of west virginia but for 2.5 years was the capital building of the commonwealth of virginia, and that means the whole state from charleston to the chesapeake, if you were loyal to the union then this was your government. this was your capital and this was your government. are not you recognize the government enrichment. the richmond government did not recognize this government. the important thing is the united states of america recognized the restored government of virginia in wheeling as a legitimate government of virginia. way, this is the only city in our nation that can say it was the capital of two different states. wheeling gave birth to a brand-new experiment in american history, and american politics. so it is incredibly important story. this is important for our nation's history. it is unprecedented. it has to do with the terrible tragedy of the american civil war. eight teaches -- eight teaches when you are presented with the opportunities, you have to take them. >> the c-span cities tour co