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Historical Society Minutes - 2012
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Sunday, November 25, 2012 - 2:00 pm at Ruth Taylor's Home, Hillsboro
Members and guests in attendance: Ruth Taylor, Matt Tate, Bill McNeel, Mark Mengele, Mike Smith, Moffett McNeel, Denise McNeel, Mike Gioulis, Fernando Rodriguez Apologies were received from: JoAnn and Rob Lister, Brent Moore, Becky and David Holmes, Christine Smith, B.J. Gudmundsson
As people arrived, they enjoyed some of Ruth’s delicious refreshments. President Matt Tate opened the meeting at 2:15 PM. The minutes were approved as read (Ruth, Mark).
The treasurer’s report was accepted. (Denise, Mike) So far we have received $700 in membership dues (70 memberships). Bill again asked for submissions for a second newsletter and Ruth said she would work on a report on the Little Levels Heritage Days. Mike has information on the CCC at Watoga.
It was felt that the committee should work over the winter on preparations for the Museum’s 50th. birthday. A tentative date of June 8 was set for this. (It was opened June 5 1963.) Bill has the original program and Ashley has been checking on line for articles about the event.
The subject of today’s meeting was the history of the Pleasant Green Church and the Pleasant Green African American School, both of which are located within walking distance of our meeting place. Unfortunately, they are the only surviving buildings from the African American community which was on both sides of Seebert Lane. The Pocahontas Landmarks Commission has been working through the process to have both buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places with the guidance of Mike Gioulis (of Braxton County), a historic preservation consultant, and they have now been accepted at the state level and have been submitted to the national committee.
Mike gave us a packet of information on first the process of such a submission, and the qualifications and disqualifications for acceptance. Churches are usually not eligible for the register, but, since the first school for African American children in Little Levels started out in the church building, it is hoped that this variance will be allowed. Similarly, cemeteries are ineligible, but the Pleasant Green cemetery lies behind the church and includes the grave of the first African American superintendent of a state park.
Detailed descriptions and pictures of both buildings were submitted. Copies of these were shown to us. Also a general history of African Americans in Pocahontas County was given, as well as the history of education in our county, with more detailed information on the education of African American children (mandated in 1866). Eight schools (grades 1-8) are remembered; students wishing to attend high school had to do so in Randolph County. The Pleasant Green School was also known at different times by these names: the Seebert Lane Colored School, the Hillsboro Colored School, Seebert Lane School. Segregated schools were used until the integration of public schools in 1954. Only three of these buildings exist today: Mount Pleasant (ca. 1898), Greenbrier Hill (ca. 1917) and Brownsburg (ca. 1923). Mount Pleasant may have been in operation until as late as 1964. Both Seebert buildings are owned by the Greenbrier Conference of the United Methodist Church and are in good shape with little alteration since they were built.
Mike also explained the benefits of buildings being on the national register (primarily for eligibility for planning grants, which must pass through the county Historic Landmarks Commission), but also indicated that the register has little power except to remove the building from the register.
This report elicited more discussion over refreshments and at 3:30 the group went first to the cemetery and church and then on to the school building. It was an interesting visit. Most people stayed until 4:45 PM and Matt then took our visitors to see the McNeel Mill at Mill Point.
Sunday, October 28, 2012 - 2:00 pm at Marlinton Presbyterian Church
Members and Guests in Attendance: Moffett McNeel, Mark Mengele. B.J. Gudmundssen, Ruth Taylor, Bill McNeel, Ashley Fleming, Matt Tate, Denise McNeel, Bob Sheets, Larry Taylor, Minnie FayeTaylor and our speaker, Joe Geiger Apologies were received from: Liz Gay, Nancy Wooldridge and Brent Moore
President Matt Tate introduced our speaker, Joe Geiger, who had traveled from Huntington for our meeting. Joe is the director of Archives and History in the Department of Culture and History in Charleston (His book, "Holding the Line, The Battle of Allegheny Mountain and Confederate Defense of the Staunton-ParkersburgTurnpike, 1861-62" was published two months ago.
Mr. Geiger spoke about the WV Archives and History department. Its purpose is to preserve the history of West Virginia and he demonstrated how the department’s capacity to do this has been increased and enhanced by the Internet and digital technology, making, in particular, primary sources open to the public. For example, the BDM records of all counties since 1917 are accessible and wills will be the next project. In addition, the department has made $3,000,000 available in grants to help preserve county records. Connie Carr has received a grant for shelving and Melissa Bennett is receiving funding for microfilming documents at the Pocahontas County Court House. The goal is to digitalize every deed in WV.
There are also digital records of all highway markers and the department is currently refurbishing these markers. When asked how a new marker might be obtained, he replied that a private sponsorship of $2,000 was required and that subsequently the requester should work with his office. However, he indicated that, because of the Sesquicentennial, each county might request the department for one marker, free of charge, that related to the Civil War or West Virginia statehood. West Virginia cast a medal for each West Virginia
Union soldier. 5000-6000 of these remain unclaimed and descendants of those soldiers should check with his department to claim these medals. He encouraged the public to check out the department website www.wvculture.org/history for further information about these and other projects. He spoke of the daily trivia question, practice quizzes for the Golden Horseshoe and statewide team history contests and twice monthly history presentations for the public in Charleston.
Our speaker then began to talk about his book. We learned that the main emphasis was personal recollections of soldiers (journals and letters) who had fought in our area and that his research had taken him to many states, which were home to these soldiers. We discovered that Ambrose Bierce had, not only fought here, but had returned to visit the battlefields in the 1900s and written about his memories of this area. He continued to read aloud the descriptions of other soldiers of the severe winter weather, their impressions of the region and the tales of their duties, experiences and feelings during this seven month period. The audience appreciated this human approach to the War and sales and signatures were brisk.
Mark asked him how we might start to attempt to identify the soldiers buried in the Civil War cemetery at the Museum. He replied that the archives include a copy of the WPA Veteran Grave Registration.
Following the signings and refreshments (furnished by the officers), the members dispersed at 4PM.
Monday, September 24, 2012 - 7:00 pm at Hillsboro Library
Members and guests in attendance: Our speaker, Carolyn Stephens, Denise McNeel, B.J. Gudmundsson, Moffett McNeel, Mark Mengele, Bill McNeel, Ruth Taylor, Bob Sheets, Ashley Fleming, Matthew Tate, Christine Smith, Michael A Smith
Our guest is a very active member of the Williamsburg District Historical Foundation in Greenbrier County, and the main subject was the finding (the owners always knew it was there) of the McCoy Fort on a farm, near the road, about a mile from downtown Williamsburg. University of Kentucky archaeologists, Drs. Kim and Steve McBride were dismayed to find a building where they had calculated that Fort McCoy must have stood, but when they approached the barn they saw inside, the log walls of the fort, which had been encased in the barn since 1900, with only a small part on one side exposed to the elements. The pioneer fort was built in 1769 and the militia there repelled an Indian attack in 1778, the day before the Fort Donnally attack a mile away. Fort McCoy is not yet on the National Register of Historic Places; authentication of the dates is necessary. The McBrides have already found a few artifacts of the appropriate period. The barn was already in bad shape, but the recent derecho caused more deterioration. It was determined that the fort needed to be disassembled, so that a thorough archeological dig could be carried out within its foundations (perhaps three years) and that the fort will be rebuilt in its original location. This is a two story structure and there is damage on the ground floor because of its adaptation for horse stalls. Because of the financial burden of dismantling of the barn and fort, the property owner has leased this area to the foundation. Carolyn also went on to describe the grants that she has applied for and received for this restoration project. The Foundation also has a museum and is a small but very active group. They are also interested in preserving the Victorian house on the same property, which is built around a much earlier structure.
This was a compelling subject and Caroline gladly responded to many questions.
The group adjourned for refreshments. Besides the usual drinks, Matt and Ashley treated us to home made goat cheese, with bread made from flour from Reed’s Mill and cookies and cheesecake from the new Dunmore bakery.
We then had a short business meeting. The minutes were accepted as corrected. Moved B.J. seconded Ruth.
The financial report was accepted (Bob, B.J.) Attendance and book sales at the museum dropped considerably this summer. Memberships are coming in slowly. Articles are needed for the news letter. It was suggested that we take 2012 Pioneer Days badges to sell at Huntersville Traditons Day (in addition to books).
There was some discussion of the Civil War and the recent PBS documentary, “Dying”. Ruth Taylor asked if there was a list of Pocahontas soldiers who died in the Civil War. There is a list in the 1981 history, predominantly Confederate. Nationally, about 50% of the deaths of soldiers during the Civil War are not recorded.
Denise reported on the Monroe County field trip. There was discussion of the date of the November meeting. We need suggestions for a topic. We should probably have it at Dunmore or Marlinton. No-one seemed to know anything about the Cranberry Mountain play.
Preservation: B. J attended the Connecting for Collections Initiative meeting in Charleston on Friday. This was set up two years ago. For the last two years they have been working on a preservation plan for West Virginia. With a 44% response to a survey, West Virginia leads in the U.S.A. The preservation plan is complete; she had a copy with her, and will make it accessible to members on-line. The top 3 needs (identified by responses from owners of collections) in West Virginia are:
1. Training in the care of collections
2. Promotion of collections
3. A disaster preparedness plan
They will apply to IMLS for a grant of $59,000 to put on six regional training sessions.
B.J. met Randall Reid Smith and arranged to meet with him to describe Pocahontas County’s preservation needs and to find out which areas of state government might be appropriate to help us. Many ideas were developed and one of those was to get every collection holder to post on line their top ten items (pictures and information), probably to a site run by the Humanities Council as a part of West Virginia Encyclopedia.
Plans for the 2013 50th Birthday Celebration
Everyone participated in a brain storming session and the first decision was WHEN we should celebrate this. It was decided that we should aim for the same weekend as the original ceremony, near the beginning of June. There was discussion about the many forms that the celebration took 50 years ago and the general feeling was that we should like to replicate some of them-invite the governor, have a Pearl Buck re-enactor, speeches on the porch, cutting a ribbon, refreshments, a clean up parade, invite other historical societies, have some school wide activities, perhaps a history contest. We need to get out copies of the Pocahontas Times of 1963 before we next meet . Apparently , this was a big affair. We should also use this occasion as a big membership drive and hope that family reunions would respond to a challenge to donate to the museum restoration and the preservation of our heritage (pictures, artifacts and documents). Another idea was that we should make copies of pictures and have a variety of small exhibits at stores through the town to be left up until June 20, the Sesquicentennial of West Virginia. This can be tied, too with the restoration of the depot, with a shuttle between the depot and the museum.
This seemed a good place to stop so we adjourned at 8:45PM (moved by Chris).
Saturday, September 22, 2012 field trip to Monroe County
Historical Society members: Brent Moore, Bill and Denise McNeel, Bob and JoAnn Lister, Matt Tate, Ashly Fleming, Becky and David Holmes and two guests joined Roxy Todd’s group Traveling 219” .
Some met up at McClintic Library in Marlinton and made a stop at the bakery in Renick, while others met the group at various times at the Korner Kafe in Union, Monroe County. Here we met with the Monroe County Tourism officer who told us about the quilt trail and other places to visit in Monroe County. Lunch was very leisurely and informal. We went in small groups to visit the County Museum and two 2-story log buildings, which were disassembled from across the street about ten years ago, the logs stored and then rebuilt two years later, adjacent to the museum, and furnished. They were opened to the public in 2006. We then moved to the Reed Mill (1791), which houses an active flour mill and a broom maker. Our host was Larry Mustain (former principal at Hillsboro) and we all stayed a good while touring the building and asking him questions. It was a glorious day and we all had an excellent time.
ANNUAL MEETING, Monday, August 26, 2012 - 7:30 pm at Museum in Marlinton
Members and Guests in Attendance: Mark Mengele, Norman Alderman, Michael A. Smith, Christine A. Smith, Bob Lister, JoAnn Lister, Ashley Fleming, Matt Tate, Brent Moore, Ruth Taylor, David Holmes, Rebecca Holmes,. B.J. Gudmundsson, Annabelle D. McNeill, Bill McNeel, Denise McNeel, Jaynell Graham, Frances Graham, Tim Holmes, Roxie Todd, Nancy Hefner Gibby, Melissa Totten, Elmer Hefner, Bill Hefner
Apologies were received from Liz Gay and Nancy Daugherty
President Matt Tate introduced the speaker, Roxie Todd. Roxie, as an American Vista, has been working on the Route 219 project since 2010 and was joined by Emily Newton last year. Two other volunteers will join the team later this year. The project is sponsored by the WVMR radio station and Pocahontas County Free Libraries. She used as a guide a nine page document from a similar WPA project, which was produced during the Depression. She commented that this was an emotional project, because the focus was on people who had lived through hard times, but added that her impression was that people in Pocahontas County did not go hungry, as people in the country reached out to help one another. This evening she focused on three women, Frances Graham, Annabelle McNeill, and Elsie Long, who held leadership roles in Buckeye and Mill Point. She dedicated the program to Elsie, who recently died. She also passed around a familiar photograph of the Buckeye School House, built in the 1880s and receiving that name in 1930, looking pristine compared to its present day appearance as the Buckeye Bend Book Store.
Annabelle reminisced about the attempts of the local Home Demonstration Club’s attempts to purchase the building, where the community held square dances, cake walks, meetings etc, when it ceased to function as a school in 1960. She also told the story of her battle to prevent the school system from removing the School Bell from the building. The bell is currently the possession of Sharla Gladwell, whose parents Carl and Bea Gladwell, outbid the H.D. club to buy the old school. Carl used to ring in the New Year each year with the bell. Teachers at the school included G.D. McNeill, Louise McNeill and Arberta Shields, its last teacher.
Frances talked about her 22 years as the Buckeye postmaster and the additional role that the postmaster played with helping people write letters and fill up forms.
Elsie Long was postmaster of the Mill Point Post Office for 26 years. Members of Elsie Long’s family told about the function of the Mill Point Post office as social center for the community and their memories, as children, of the arrival of chickens, the coming of the mailman, and the prominent people who lived In Mill Point. The Post Office was located opposite Wint McNeel’s store. Square dances in Mill Point were held in people’s homes, and music was widespread. Elsie did not play an instrument, but had a good voice.
Norman was filming the presentation. Roxie says that she often does presentations on the local radio and that the next one, within the next 6 months, will include the Buckeye and Mill Point interviews. Transcripts of the interviews conducted will be put in the library at Marlinton and in the archives at Morgantown and Charleston. You can read and see much more about this project online and will surely enjoy it at: Traveling219.com
Matt expressed the society’s appreciation to Roxy and our other guests. The presentation provoked discussion and questions and was well-received. We adjourned for a few minutes to stretch and then came to order for the annual meeting.
Denise read the minutes of the June meeting. These were accepted as read ( Becky, Chris). The officers commented on modifications to our Pioneer Days plans due to the postponement of Pioneer Days after the storm. Though numbers were down, a full program of planned activities were held. Denise reported that the Hillsboro Senior Citizens were our guests at the museum two weeks ago. She also thanked Becky and David Holmes for purchasing a water melon, while they were in Covington, when none was to be found in Pocahontas County. She also recognized the energy and time of Matt and Ashley who had appeared with mowers that afternoon and made the museum grounds look spiffy.
Bill presented the financial report. He pointed out that the number of visitors to the museum at this point is significantly lower than in previous years. Partially this is due to the moving of Pioneer Days. Ruth reported that this is true of sites and festivals throughout the state. He has sent out a newsletter with the membership forms and d will send out another in September which will contain more history articles. He would love to include articles written by members-contact him. Very few Pioneer Days badges were sold, but these will be available son through us, if anyone wishes to complete their collection. The minutes were accepted as presented (Ruth, B.J.)
Election of Officers It was moved by Ruth and seconded by Jo Ann that the current slate of officers be re-elected (with their consent). Carried. Matt Tate-President, B.J. Gudmundsson-Vice President, Denise McNeel-Secretary, Bill McNeel-Treasurer
Fiftieth Anniversary of the Dedication of the Museum: There was discussion about when this should be celebrated- in June or during Pioneer Days. It was felt that the governor should be invited and Ruth pointed out that Pearl Buck had participated and that this could be a joint celebration with Pearl Buck House. Gail and B.J. have applied for a sesquicentennial grant of $5,000 to be used at Pioneer Days. Discussion followed as to whether the Sesquicentennial should be the subject of the Pioneer Days Badge.
It was then recognized that 2013 would be the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Droop Mountain, that Droop Mountain has never been on the badge, and that would be of particular significance to Pocahontas County. Mike told the group about the series of hikes he has planned over the summer, which will follow the routes of different regiments and end at the battle site on Droop Mountain. The reenactment of the battle cannot be held on the actual date of the battle (conflict with Bull Run commemoration), but there will be a hike starting in Lewisburg on November 6 to arrive on the battlefield the next day (30 miles). It was felt that we, as a society, would like to do something to support this endeavor. The re-enactment next year will be over the Labor Day weekend. This year it will be October 13-14. There will be a gathering of descendants of men who fought in the battle. He also told a remarkable story of how two (separate) books, which were taken from Confederate soldiers by Union troops after the battle, have ended up in the museum of the Park.
Ruth told us that the honorees of the Little Levels Heritage Days would be the descendants of the local Black Community; she hopes that this will coincide with the acceptance to the National Register of Historic Places of the Pleasant Green Methodist Church and the Seebert Lane School.
It was decided that a committee be formed to plan the 50th anniversary celebration. In addition to the officers, this group would include Ashley, Ruth, Chris, and Tim Van Reenen. We would particularly like to invite original founding member of the society, Carolyn Burns to participate. Other members interested in joining this group should contact one of the officers.
Programs
1. It was felt, too, that we should apply for one of the mini-grants from the Humanities Council to get one of the Sesquicentennial Performers for one of our programs next year.
2. Bill suggested that our next meeting be given by Carolyn Stephens, who recently visited our museum. She is the chairman of the Williamsburg (WV) District Historical Foundation and will talk to us about their museum and Fort McCoy (a 2 story fort, currently surrounded by a bran on a working farm). This suggestion was enthusiastically endorsed and it was suggested that we could, in turn, visit their museum. Bill will set this up.
3. It was recalled that in former years we joined with historical societies in Randolph and several other counties for a picnic. It was felt that this might be something to revive.
It was suggested that in October we have a field trip…to see the play at Cranberry Glades, based on G.D. McNeill’s short story, The Mystery of Gauley Marsh.
Other Business:
1. There was discussion about trying to identify the soldiers buried in the Civil War cemetery in the museum. B.J. will contact Mike Sheetes to find out when he is coming to P.C. and to ask him to take a lead in this.
2. There was some discussion about the Currence cemetery-if it dates back to the Civil War. Some people believe that there is a stone from that cemetery somewhere.
The business meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM and people then enjoyed water melon and conversation.
Sunday, July 22, 2012 - 3:00 pm at Warwick Fort in Green Bank
Members in attendance: Our host, Bob Sheets, and officers Matt Tate, Bill McNeel, B.J. Gudmundsson, Denise McNeel, plus Brent Moore, David and Becky Holmes, Rob and Joanna Lister, Mark Mengele, Michelle Fehrer, Celeste Bunting, Roger Forman, and Suzanne Stewart. Elaine Sheets provided refreshments (Thank you!)
Apologies were received from Ruth Taylor, Liz Gay, Zachary Grimes and Jarve Currence, but so many people were also tied up after the events of the last 3 weeks, with gardens and meetings, and with Pioneer Days now rescheduled for the last weekend of July (this week!!!!). And this was such a shame-a glorious day , indeed in a sublime location. Bob gave us an excellent presentation on the site and then we adjourned to the shade trees by his house for the meeting, which was opened by President Matt Tate at 5:15.
Denise read the minutes of the June meeting, which were approved as corrected (B.J., Bob)
Bill presented the financial report. Currently in the general account, expenses exceed income, but that will soon be reversed with Pioneer Days, the news letter and membership dues paid. Book sales are doing well at the Pocahontas Times. We need renovations and we will request matching funds for the $5,000 that Bob Jacobsen will donate towards our major need, the scraping and painting of the museum roof. Our museum host, Khristian Smith, will head for college early next month and we hope that we will be able to find volunteers to cover a lot of days that month and in September. The financial report was accepted (Bob, B.J.). B. J paid for the website fee of $89 last year and volunteered to do that again as her dues. Thank you!
Matt handed to the secretary the official document of transfer of the Huntersville Jail which has been filed at the Court House. We need to remove the Jail from our insurance payment.
Thanks to Geoff, the new cemetery sign is up!!!! We thought we might try to dedicate it over Pioneer Days. Bill will check with Geoff. We need him there! Bill is interested in checking with the 1st and 12th Georgia regiments and state archives to see if they have the names of any of the soldiers buried at the museum. We will also ask Mike Sheets to get involved in the search.
B.J. spoke about this week’s Pioneer Days. We will have the Senior Citizen shuttle, driven by Lois Mamak running continuously (except for the parade) between 10 and 5 both Friday and Saturday. The museum will be open at 9 each day and Khristian will stay at the museum during the parade. The senior citizens will provide the shuttle, pay the driver and even provide gasoline. We thought it would be an appropriate appreciation to have the museum hold a special day for our county’s seniors in August or September. Don Morrison has made signs about the shuttle. We will have pioneer and nineteenth century crafts in the grounds and a family fun activity for the children. On Friday afternoon there will be the Spelling Bees and History Contests. Zach and Bill will help Khristian on the Friday (Denise or Zach will lead the history contest), Denise, Bill and Roger will help Khristian on the Saturday, plus many others (we hope). B.J. will have a preservation display on the River Porch and will put the preservation banner up on the front porch. A need is felt for rooting out the plants at the parking lot, so that we can be safe for entrance and exit of the shuttle (Matt, BJ, August and ?) . Bill will arrange for the demonstrators and museum workers to park at the Richardson House. Matt will organize the PCHS float which will publicize our crafters and musicians at the museum. The crafters should ride the last shuttle to the parade and be transported back after it. Denise will ask Jim Burke to lend us a wagon. Bill will loan the truck and B.J. will ask August to drive it.
B.J. will apply to the Humanities Council for a grant for scanning (to run through the PCHS scholarship fund).
There was discussion about the August Historical Society meeting, which is also our annual meeting-we had wanted it to be at Dunmore Daze, which is the 3rd Saturday in August, but the 4th Monday is also a possibility for our meeting. We really need some feedback and suggestions, so get back to me. Often we have watermelon on the museum porch!
Bob passed round a beautiful 1912 picture of Green Bank and then took us on a tour of his house (also 1912) when we adjourned at 6:05 PM. Lots of Green Bank history and so worth the drive!
Monday, June 25, 2012 - 7:30 pm at the Huntersville School in Huntersville
Members in Attendance: Matt Tate, Bill McNeel, B.J. Gudmundsson, Denise McNeel (all the officers), Geoff Hamill, Sarah Sanders, Bob Lister, JoAnn Lister, Ruth Taylor, Ashley Fleming, Brent Moore, Mason Owens, Tim Wade, Nancy Woolridge, Susie Landis,Also Roger Furman (lawyer), Tammy Broce (Notary Public).
Apologies from Nancy Smithson, Chris and Mike Smith, Cyla Allison, Jarve Daugherty
The Huntersville Traditions Committee had mown the grass and the Old Jail looked splendid for the tours made by about a dozen people of this historic building between 6:30 and 7:30 PM.
The members then assembled at the Huntersville School. Susie gave tours of the school to people who had not been in it since its restoration. And then everyone assembled in the school lunch room for our meeting. A party atmosphere reigned knowing that something special was about to happen, as we enjoyed delicious refreshments, including Tim’s home-made ice cream.
President Matt called the meeting to order at 8:04 PMand thanked the Huntersville Traditions Committee for their hospitality.
Denise read the minutes of the April meeting. (We did not meet in May as our meeting date coincided with Memorial Day and the opening of the Museum for the 2012 season.) The minutes were approved as read (Ashley, B.J.)
Bill presented the financial report (attached). Membership dues have started to come in. These are based on the calendar year, though the newsletter will go out in August. Articles and items would be welcomed by Bill, who puts this together). Several members paid their dues ($10). He reported that Bob Jacobsen had sent a donation of $3,000, (Thank you Bob!!), which Bill had split equally between operating and building- maintenance funds. This helped us to stay in the black, since the operation costs for the museum are high and we needed to replenish our stock of Price history books, one of our main sellers, which we have to buy in quantity to get a good price. We also have taken in $852.80 from book sales this year. We have a current balance of $3, 507.80. The financial report was accepted (Denise, Ruth).
Bill presented the Museum Report. We opened on Memorial Day weekend and have had 84 visitors over 26 days open. This is down from last year. Allegheny Echoes will have a class on the river porch every day this week. The museum is open 7 days a week. Tuesday thru Saturday, 11-5, the museum is run by host Khristian Smith. On Sundays and Mondays it is operated by volunteers, so far these have included Bill, Denise, Zach and Ashley. Bob and Joann Lister and Michelle Evans have expressed willingness to continue to do this again this year.
Ruth reported on the Hillsboro Heritage Festival. She reported that attendance was down considerably, which she attributed to the dates this year. She was particularly appreciative of the interest created by the Preservation Display of old pictures of Little Levels, prepared and manned all day by B.J. Gudmundsson. The display will be housed in the Hillsboro Library for the next several weeks for people who missed it. B. J. reported that she scanned 40-50 pictures brought in by local people that day. Next year, because of the Hillsboro cafeteria construction project, the festival, apart from the parade, of course, will have to be based at Pearl Buck House. The theme will be “While they were Away” (Civil War). The honorees will be the Black Community and it is hoped that the work to get the Pleasant Green church on the National Register of Historic Places will come to fruition with a ceremony at that time. The Hillsboro group would like to have a ceremony similar to the one done at Huntersville to mark and honor local Confederate graves. The Huntersville people will help them with this. She also pointed out that 2013 will be the 100th anniversary of Hillsboro High School.
The highlight of the evening was the Transfer of the Huntersville Jail to the HuntersvilleTraditions Committee from The Historical Society. The jail, of course, dated back to the time that Huntersville was the County seat and, as it approached its 100th birthday was donated in 1984 by the Nelson family to PCHS, so that it would be protected and preserved. Over the years PCHS had put a new roof on the building. Huntersville Traditions had expressed interest in owning the building because they appreciated the historical significance of the structure and wished to ensure its preservation and care. Roger Furman, who had provided pro bono services, read aloud the legal deed of transfer. Announcements of this transfer had appeared in the newspaper and there was discussion of the terms. B. J. moved and Bill seconded the motion that the officers of the Pocahontas County Historical Society execute the deed to transfer the property of the Huntersville Jail to the Huntersville Historic Traditions Committee. This was carried unanimously. Ruth moved and Denise seconded the motion that we should have an agreement that if Historical Traditions should cease to exist that the building would revert back to Pocahontas County Historical Museum. Carried. Secretary Sarah Sanders read a motion of acceptance on behalf of the Traditions Committee, which also stated that the jail would revert to the Historical Society should their organization cease to exist. The officers of the two groups signed the deed in the presence of notary Tammy Broce. On Tuesday Bill will pay the fee, complete further paper work, and file the deed at the Court House. President Tim Wade asked about insurance on the jail. Bill explained that PCHS held only liability insurance (through Ellen Galford).
Pioneer Days: B.J. announced that we had received $1100 as a grant from the CVB from Dramas, Fairs and Festivals for our Pioneer Demonstrations (brooms, tea, ink, Dwight and Caleb, Preservation, Drew Tanner’s wet plate photography. Senior Citizens have agreed to lend us a van and driver to provide a continuous shuttle service to and from the museum on both Friday and Saturday, 10:30-5:30. Don Morrison is making signs for the shuttle. Bill will check with Richardsons so that the vendors can park on their property. We will charge half price admission to the house on Friday and Saturday. Matt and Ashley will organize a float (Denise will ask Jim Burks for a wagon, Bill will loan truck, August (?) will drive.). B.J. will have preservation on front porch and will stay during parade). Need people to help man museum. Cookies and lemonade???. TWWW clothes are available for people to borrow to dress up.
Future Society Programs: There was a lot of interest in visiting Fort Warwick -Denise is to contact Bob Sheets if this would be possible the last Sunday in July. Brent thought that the hayride would be better in August. He suggested that members of the Historical Society might like to ride in a haywagon during Durbin Days to remind people of our presence. Feedback on that would be appreciated. The annual meeting will be held in August.
Huntersville Traditions; The committee handed out brochures. They plan to try a Styles of Yesteryear show and asked if they might use some of our clothing collection and we consented.
Adjournment: We adjourned at 9:15 PM (B.J.).
OMISSION-Apologies to Geoff Hamill who left before we could thank him for his work with Pocahontas Woods, who have created a new marker sign for the Civil War graveyard at the museum. The old post had rotted away and Geoff has obtained a post and will install the sign. We hope to have an appropriate ceremony later in the summer. Bill and Ashley received the sign on behalf of PCFL from Pocahontas Woods last week.
Monday, April 30, 2012 - 7:30 pm at the Museum in Marlinton
Members in Attendance: Matt Tate, Denise McNeel, B.J. Gudmundsson, Bill McNeel, Ashley Fleming, Susie Landis, Liz Gay, Bob Lister, Tom Shipley, Zachary Grimes, Donald McNeel, Moffett McNeel, Hank Jaeger. Apologies from Ruth Taylor.
All officers were in attendance.
As the group assembled, they looked at an old Gay photograph of Hillsboro, including the horse track. Matt called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM.
After his welcome, the minutes of the November meeting at Huntersville were read and approved as written (B.J., Bob)
B.J. announced that the Huntersville Methodist church would be featured on the 2012 Pioneer Days badge.
Bill presented the financial report.
· We currently have $1536.71 in the general account. Book sales were an important part of our income in 2011 (boosted by sales of $1315.50 at the Smithsonian exhibit).
· We also have on hand a good inventory of books to sell, since we purchased a fair number of Blackhurst books at a good price.
· Membership dues accounted for $1010, with additional generous donations.
· We had 927 visitors at the museum last summer, which brought in entrance fees and sales of $2974.82, reflecting our raising of the entrance fee and the addition of a “family” category.
· We received a CVB grant of $250 towards the reprinting of the Museum brochure. Expenses also included: electricity, phone, insurance, host’s salary, mowing, security system, fire and water fees and maintenance.
· The museum renovation account stands at $397.19 (which includes donations towards a handicapped ramp) and, after the expenditures for work on the museum funded in part by a 2011 Snowshoe Foundation account and for a rail built to help people up the front steps (private donation), there is need of funding to continue renovation, particularly the roof.
· We did not receive a Snowshoe Foundation grant in 2012.
· A fundraising campaign will be held, so that we can celebrate the 50th. Anniversary of the museum (and the 150th anniversary of West Virginia statehood) with a building fit to continue the work of preserving the history of Pocahontas County.
· We also need to increase the numbers of memberships. Since the Museum’s inception, Pocahontas County citizens , friends and former residents have subsidized the running of the museum and its maintenance by annual donations. Over the course of 50 years, naturally, many of the original supporters have died. We need to publicize that we need further support as we approach the 50th year of its opening and the 150th anniversary of the state of West Virginia, so that the Museum can continue its work of preserving the history of Pocahontas County.
· The McNeel Mill Fund has a balance of $250, which Bill will pass to Matt as he needs it for the restoration of the mill.
· The Way We Worked account is no longer needed.
· Total balance in hand from all accounts 4/30/2012 is $2039.09.
· The Education Fund is currently being used for donations and grants for the Preserving Pocahontas project.
· The financial report was accepted. (Denise, Moffett).
Preservation
· B. J. spoke about upcoming grants from the Preservation Alliance; organizations wishing to apply may obtain copies of the grant application forms from her. There was some discussion of organizations that might seek such funding.
· B.J. also reported on activities in Preservation. She spoke about Betsy Edgar’s interest in the old kiln at the 4H camp.
· B.J. plans to take her presentation to all the county festivals.
· She responded to Bob’s question that she was progressing with the digitization of the negatives in the Society’s collection.
· The Way We Worked exhibit, which has been on display at Linwood, will be moved to the Hillsboro library and she will also make an exhibit, similar to the WWW, using old pictures of the Hillsboro area.
Other Business
· Mac mentioned that, in addition to the chimney moved from his farm, the McLaughlin House will have the second floor constructed from old timber.
· Liz Gay mentioned the new quilt trail which will have 12 signs (24 blocks) at the Heritage Fair.
· Hank Jaeger spoke about the restoration of the Power House at the Cass mill; they are waiting on asbestos removal and other action by the state.
· Bill showed everyone a donation that had been received that day from George Wilmoth, the framed certificate of appointment of his grandfather as postmaster of the post office at Top of Alleghany (open 1875-1904). Mr. Wilmoth is also going to donate the sorting boxes from the post office to us.
· Zach Grimes spoke about the library at WVOS and the interest of the librarian in having a joint exhibit with us of early medical equipment that we have in our collection. He also spoke about the annual medical lecture at Carnegie Hall which will be given in October. Zach and B.J. will work on this.
· Matt and B.J. indicated that the Appalachian Studies group from Shepherd University had come to the county, as usual in April, but that they were unable to arrange a visit to the museum for them, since they did not have prior notification. Denise said she would contact the professor to see if she would like to bring a group in the fall.
· Bill announced that, finally, action had begun and a bid had been accepted for the restoration of the depot. The original bid was too high, some items were removed and/or modified to reduce the bid, but, although the bid still exceeded the sum in hand, it was decided to proceed. We should see movement next month.
· B.J. spoke about the Calvin W. Price Appalachian Series, 6 grants awarded by the CVB, which included Warwick Fort’s Archeology Days on May 5 and 6 at Green Bank, the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace’s historic gardens project and the Opera House’s presentation of a live drama, based on G.D. McNeill’s The Last Forest at the Cranberry Nature Center (August 4, 11, 18, 25) all received awards.
· Hank Jaeger announced that the Warn Lumber Company had been selected for the brass tag at the Mountain State Railroad & Lumber Historical Association for the rail fan weekend May 19. He would like to copy ½ dozen Society pictures to exhibit there. B.J. mentioned that the grandson of the original Mr. Warn (now aged 90 + and living in California, born in Mill Point) had phoned her recently.
· Huntersville Traditions Days would like to own the Old Jail, so that they could take care of it. Everyone concurred that we should like to pass it on to them. Legally, this presents a problem since we are a stock corporation. We still need to find a way to change to a non-profit organization. B.J. had started talking to Roger Furman (pro bono advice) about this. Bill volunteered to pursue this and Ashley said that she would help.
· Denise announced that Khristian Smith will again host the museum for the summer. We hope to open the museum to the public Memorial Day weekend. Zach has already started to spring clean the museum and he and Denise will continue work on this. Any other volunteers would be appreciated.
· B.J. mentioned that the Pioneer Days committee meets on May 3-we hope to receive $1100 to host Pioneer activities at the museum. The executive committee will meet to discuss further our participation in Pioneer Days.
There was much discussion about ideas for future meetings.
· Zach is going to check out the possibility of having a picnic meeting at Buckeye. He will talk to Blix about visiting the graveyard and Louise McNeill birthplace, and enquire about the McClintic farm. It was pointed out that ease of access for members needed to be a consideration.
· Other ideas included a hayride at Dunmore and a visit to Fort Warwick and the June meeting at McClintic Library .
· Other suggestions are invited.
The meeting adjourned (Matt) at 9:35 for refreshments, conversation and photo selection.
Denise McNeel Secretary
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