FRENCH CREEK — The West Virginia State Wildlife Center in Upshur County will be closing temporarily, officials announced Thursday.

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources said the Wildlife Center would be closed for its required annual inspection beginning Sunday, Dec. 31. The Wildlife Center is expected to reopen on Friday, Jan. 5.  

“We thank you for your patience and continued support of the Wildlife Center, and we look forward to experiencing the new year with you all,” said WV DNR Director Brett McMillion.

The Gift Shop will maintain the current operating hours of 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

The West Virginia State Wildlife Center is a modern zoological facility in French Creek, displaying native and introduced state wildlife.

The Wildlife Center began in 1923 when it was established as a game farm. Since then, the facility has evolved to become a center for wildlife conservation and education. Today it features a variety of native wildlife species that can be viewed in a natural setting.

The Center is also home to French Creek Freddie, West Virginia’s famous weather-prognosticating groundhog.

In February 2023, Freddie gave his 46th Groundhog Day weather prediction at the Center.

According to the state Division of Natural Resources, the origins of Groundhog Day can be traced back to Candlemas Day, the traditional conclusion to the Christmas-Epiphany season when clergy would bless and distribute candles. Due to Candlemas occurring at the beginning of February, many people used the holiday to give predictions on the arrival of spring.

The Germans added to the tradition by giving the weather predicting duties to the badger. They believed that if the sun made an appearance on Candlemas Day, the badger would cast a shadow and that six more weeks of bad weather would follow. 

It wasn’t until German settlers came to America that the groundhog became the weather-predicting animal of choice.

The modern Groundhog Day celebration was started in the 1800s by German farmers living in Pennsylvania, not far from where Freddie’s cousin, Punxsutawney Phil, makes his own prediction each year.

French Creek Freddie didn’t come onto the scene until more than a century later, according to the DNR. In 1978, Freddie’s weather-predicting career got its start when former West Virginia State Wildlife Center Superintendent Bill Vanscoy responded to a reporter on Groundhog Day if there was a groundhog on site and if it had seen its shadow. 

“I don’t remember what I told him, but it was whatever was appropriate to the weather we were having,” Vanscoy said. “Anyway, he asked me what the groundhog’s name was. I don’t know what possessed me to do it but I skipped the usual lecture on why we don’t name animals and said his name was French Creek Freddie.”

“It went out on The Associated Press wire and soon we were getting calls from all over the county. Every year now, people from newspapers and TV stations come out on Groundhog Day and we kick a groundhog out of its den for the cameras,” Vanscoy said. “It’s harmless fun and it comes at time of the year when people need some cheering up.”

The Wildlife Center offers guided tours upon request. School groups and other organizations can book a tour by calling the Wildlife Center at 304-924-6211 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. during the week.

For more information, contact the West Virginia State Wildlife Center at 304-924-6211.