BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Locals and out of town visitors attending this weekend’s HopeWords Writers Conference had the chance to learn more about the history of Bluefield and Bramwell.
For the last three years the Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau has provided tours to the attendees, kicking off the weekend of events.
Today, two groups departed from Raleigh Street Cinema’s in downtown Bluefield. One staying in the city to tour locations with significance to local Black history. The other group ventured to the “Home of the Millionaires to learn about the history of Bramwell.
This weekend, visitors will hear renowned writers, speakers and thinkers set to inspire their writing creativity.
We spoke to one attendee who is retuning for her fourth year.
“It is like nothing else that I’ve ever been to where people just love words and they love beauty, and they love Jesus, and they love each other, and it’s just very humbling,” said Gayla Miller from Radford, Va. “It’s not people talking at you, it’s everybody sharing things with each other, and it’s just amazing. I wouldn’t miss it.”
Tomorrow, authors Hannah Anderson, Keren Swallow Prior, and Derwin Gray will be speaking.
Copyright 2025 WVVA. All rights reserved.