The Wood County Commission Thursday was asked to support erecting a statue in Wheeling of a Parkersburg resident who was West Virginia’s first governor.

The Wood County Historical Society received a letter from the Arthur I. Boreman Statue Fund in Wheeling that was interested in erecting a statue of Arthur I. Boreman in downtown Wheeling. Historical Society President Bob Enoch read the letter from the group detailing the project.

The group is raising money to have a bronze life-sized statue of Boreman placed in Wheeling at the location of the state’s first capitol. The statue would be created by Jamie Lester, a well-known West Virginia sculptor and artist.

“As the first governor of the new state of West Virginia, Boreman delivered his inaugural address before this building known as the Linsly Institute Building,” Enoch read from the letter.

Boreman was among the founders of the state, serving as the president of the Second Wheeling Convention. He was a lawyer, circuit judge and U.S. senator. He led the state’s efforts to ratify the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that prohibits denying a citizen the right to vote based on race, color or previous condition of servitude.

The group believes the first governor deserves a fitting monument near the site of his historic first speech as governor.

The group is looking for financial help as well.

“Being that Parkersburg and Wood County are associated with the name of Arthur I. Boreman, I think it would be very appropriate that the commission and the City of Parkersburg should contribute to this fund,” Enoch said.

The group hopes to raise $170,000 for the project.

Boreman is buried in Parkersburg behind Parkersburg High School. A monument was erected there.

Enoch said the project is in Wheeling because that is where the seat of government when Boreman was governor.

“I think this is a worthwhile project,” Enoch said.