Ohio Valley’s Iconic Madonna of the Trails Monument celebrates its 96th Birthday

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — A special monument in the Friendly City celebrated its 96th birthday on Sunday.

It is one of 12 identical monuments placed in 12 different states.

On this day, 96 years ago, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution commissioned the Madonna of the Trails monument in Wheeling.

The 12 monuments mark the National Old Road Trail, commonly known as U.S. Route 40, which was a pivotal piece during the American Revolution.

The regent of the Wheeling Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Lisa McNeil, says the monument is meant to highlight the brave women who came through Wheeling to settle on the Western Front.

This was the road that everyone used to travel from Bethesda, Maryland, to Upland, California. Before, there were highways, and that’s a pretty significant historical event here in our city.”

Lisa McNeil – Regent, Wheeling Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution

The 14-foot-tall statue that sits just beside Wheeling Park provides more than just a history lesson for people.

The 96-year-old monument is one that people from all over the country come to see and is yet another significant symbol of Wheeling.

The Madonna is an icon of the City of Wheeling, as much as the suspension bridge and monument place, the Marsh Wheeling Stogie sign. We receive a lot of wreaths, tokens, notes, placed here from people that have traveled across the country to visit each of these statues.”

Lisa McNeil – Regent, Wheeling Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution

As the monument closes in on its 100th birthday in a few years, McNeil says they will be there every step of the way to continue their mission of highlighting its significance.

The Madonna was placed here by our chapter in 1928, and our chapter is going to continue to care for her for the years to come. And so that’s part of our project, historic preservation, which is one of the three things that the Daughters of the American Revolution do. We do historic preservation and education and support patriotism. I think she’s a symbol of all three of those things.”

Lisa McNeil – Regent, Wheeling Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution

She says if there is one thing that the monument represents, it is simply…

A symbol of our past, and as she steps forward, so can we step forward into our future? And hopefully, it’s as hopeful and bright as hers was.”

Lisa McNeil – Regent, Wheeling Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution

The Wheeling Chapter is currently working on raising money to refurbish and restore parts of the statue so that when it’s 100th anniversary does come, it will look as good as new.

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