There's a world-renown history museum in Wellsburg containing the largest collection of artifacts related to the American defense of the key Philippine locations of Bataan and Corregidor in World War II, but few West Virginians even know of its existence. Have you ever visited the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Museum WWII?

Tucked away in the back of the Brooke County Library. building along the banks of the Ohio River in Wellsburg is a national treasure: The National American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Museum, Education, and Research Center.

Now known as the largest collection of artifacts relating to the American defense of these Philippines Provinces/Islands in WWII, the museum started out in 2002 with a small donation by Sargent Edward Jackfert, USAF of Wellsburg, West Virginia.

According to the ADBC Museum's website, "These documents included narratives on his experiences as a soldier in the Philippines and prisoner of war of Imperial Japan. They were displayed as a special collection in the Brooke County Public Library. As word about Sgt. Jackfert's donation spread through the American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor Memorial Society and beyond, other members of the units surrendered by General Wainwright began to send their artifacts to the museum."

As the collection expanded, it outgrew its initial home as a temporary display in the corner of the library. In 2009, the library formed an independent museum in some of its back rooms to house the collection. The National American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor (ADBC) Museum, Education and Research Center was born.

In 2017-2018, as they continued to grow, the museum, in conjunction with the library that houses it, added a 4,500-square-foot expansion to their space. Now, it's the largest museum on this topic in the world.

What is the significance of Bataan and Corregidor, anyway? They were both key locations in the Philippines during WWII, and the Bataan March of 60,000 to 80,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war almost 70 miles under torturous conditions is one of the most gruesome incidents in the history of the war. Death counts during the march are estimated at 5,000 to 18,000 Filipino deaths and 500 to 650 American deaths.

Of course, there's more to the story - which is why you need to visit the ADBC Museum for yourself! Call to make an appointment for a tour; admission is free. Learn more by visiting the museum's website or Facebook page.

The ADBC Museum isn't the only historic treasure when it comes to World War history in our state - there's a one-of-a-kind World War I Museum hiding here in West Virginia as well.