Oak Hill in Fayette County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Marian H. McQuade (1917-2008)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 20, 2025

1. Marian H. McQuade (1917-2008) Marker

Inscription. Marian McQuade from Fayette County was an elder rights activist and founder of National Grandparents Day. Marian's efforts led Governor Arch Moore to declare WV's first Grandparents Day in 1973. She went on to campaign for a national day. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed legislation that created the first National Grandparents Day. It became an annual holiday in 1979.

Erected 2024 by City of Oak Hill & West Virginian Archives & History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Notable Events • Women. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #39 James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr., and the West Virginia Archives and History series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1973.

Location. 37° 58.207′ N, 81° 8.966′ W. Marker is in Oak Hill, West Virginia, in Fayette County. It is on Main Street (West Virginia Route 61) south of Maple Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 613 Lundale Drive, Oak Hill WV 25901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the New River Gorge

and in Greater Charleston Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hank Williams Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Hank Williams — The Last Ride (approx. 0.2 miles away); Oak Hill Railroad Depot

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(approx. 0.6 miles away); Community Life in a Coal Camp (approx. 1.2 miles away); The White Oak Valley (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Coal Barons (approx. 1.2 miles away); Labor Strikes and Conflicts (approx. 1.2 miles away); Disaster Underground (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oak Hill.

Also see . . . Marian McQuade. (Submitted on February 1, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 20, 2025

2. Marian H. McQuade (1917-2008) Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 50 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 1, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.