The West Virginia Antiquities Commission was established by the legislature on March 6, 1965. The commission was created to identify and oversee the development of important historic sites, "or other objects of archaeological or historic interest." The creation of the commission, which preceded by one year the National Historic Preservation Act, reflected the state's interest in preserving cultural and historical resources. The board, composed of six to nine members, made significant progress in the preservation of sites, such as Grave Creek Mound and Independence Hall. In 1977, the legislature abolished the commission and created the Department of Culture and History (now Department of Arts, Culture & History). Ever since, that department’s Historic Preservation Section has assumed the duties and responsibilities of the Antiquities Commission, with the Archives and History Commission serving as a review board.