MADISON, W.Va. -- A newly restored 85-year-old building in downtown Madison that once housed a bank and a post office will become the new home of the Boone Heritage and Arts Center.

A grand opening ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on June 1, featuring U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, state Secretary of Education and the Arts Kay Goodwin, state Culture and History Director Randall Reid-Smith, state Superintendent of Education Steven Paine, and West Virginia Humanities Council program director Mark Payne.

Interior renovation work on the 1924-vintage building includes a restored ceiling, support beams and walls. A new hardwood floor was added, along with a performing-arts stage and track lighting. The new center is adjacent to the Coal Heritage Museum.

"This new facility will help showcase the musical and artistic talents of our people here in Boone County and others," said Delores Cook, vice president of the Bituminous Coal Heritage Foundation.

"The main focus behind this project is to keep our county's heritage alive and to bring culture and arts to Boone County," said Larry Lodato, director of the Boone County Community, Economic Development and Tourism Office, which is coordinating the renovation and restoration project.

The $87,000 project was financed with funds from a state Community Partnership Grant, plus grants from the Boone County Commission, the Bituminous Coal Heritage Foundation and the Boone County Economic Development and Tourism Office.

MADISON, W.Va. -- A newly restored 85-year-old building in downtown Madison that once housed a bank and a post office will become the new home of the Boone Heritage and Arts Center.

A grand opening ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on June 1, featuring U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, state Secretary of Education and the Arts Kay Goodwin, state Culture and History Director Randall Reid-Smith, state Superintendent of Education Steven Paine, and West Virginia Humanities Council program director Mark Payne.

Interior renovation work on the 1924-vintage building includes a restored ceiling, support beams and walls. A new hardwood floor was added, along with a performing-arts stage and track lighting. The new center is adjacent to the Coal Heritage Museum.

"This new facility will help showcase the musical and artistic talents of our people here in Boone County and others," said Delores Cook, vice president of the Bituminous Coal Heritage Foundation.

"The main focus behind this project is to keep our county's heritage alive and to bring culture and arts to Boone County," said Larry Lodato, director of the Boone County Community, Economic Development and Tourism Office, which is coordinating the renovation and restoration project.

The $87,000 project was financed with funds from a state Community Partnership Grant, plus grants from the Boone County Commission, the Bituminous Coal Heritage Foundation and the Boone County Economic Development and Tourism Office.