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2022 SESSION

22107473D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 431
Offered March 7, 2022
Commending the William King Museum of Art.
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Patrons-- O'Quinn; Senator: Pillion
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WHEREAS, for 30 years, the William King Museum of Art in Abingdon has served the residents of and visitors to Southwest Virginia by providing fine art exhibits, arts education, and historical interpretation; and

WHEREAS, the William King Museum of Art takes its name from Irish immigrant William King, who first came to the United States when he arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1784 and worked as an apprentice to a local merchant; and

WHEREAS, after briefly returning to Ireland, William King settled in Washington County and became a successful merchant of his own, often supplying travelers heading into the hills of Appalachia; he established a lucrative salt producing operation and was one of the wealthiest and most well-known residents of the region at the time; and

WHEREAS, upon his death in 1808, William King bequeathed $10,000 to the Abingdon Male Academy, which used the gift to construct a new school building; the academy closed in 1905 and was replaced by William King High School, which served students until 1973; and

WHEREAS, the William King Foundation was established to preserve the former William King High School building, which reopened in 1992 as the William King Regional Arts Center; and

WHEREAS, the William King Regional Arts Center was subsequently renamed as the William King Museum of Art and was accredited by the American Alliance of Museums in 2004; today, the museum provides exhibits of fine art from around the world, along with contemporary pieces by local artists, and artifacts from the region’s history; and

WHEREAS, the William King Museum of Art promotes the arts as an essential aspect of early childhood education and helps enrich the lives of adults through continuing education courses, lectures, and forums for social and cultural engagement; and

WHEREAS, the William King Museum of Art provides studio space for local artists and is a leading facilitator of creative workforce development; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the William King Museum of Art on the occasion of its 30th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the William King Museum of Art as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the museum’s contributions to cultural life in Southwest Virginia.