Historical Society Minutes - 2014

 Minutes 2013

Sunday, September 28, 2014 - 3:00 pm - St. John's Church, Marlinton

Today’s meeting was a historical walking tour of Marlinton, which started at Molly Must’s “Over Bonnie” mural. We started promptly at 3:15 and Denise McNeel talked about the various segments’ significance (culled from Molly’s interactive guide to the mural, which is on-line: you can find the portal on the PCHS FB page). Then our artist arrived and she talked about her historical research and why she had chosen the characters and images. The mural was much appreciated and great interest was expressed in the change of appearance and the very nature of community when the industrialist men arrived and bought for small change acres of magnificent virgin timber. It was noted that Molly added visual art to the telling of the story by G.D. McNeill (stories) and poet laureate Louise McNeill (poetry), all 3 showing their Scots Irish pride in and love of the magnificent beauty, that was sold off, but yet a century later has regained much of its glory. An analogy was drawn to the prospective coming of a gas pipeline and   the possible effects of change to our current society and environment.

Continuing to talk history, the group walked over to the Depot, where member Joe Smith took us inside, so that we could see the wonderful recreation of Marlinton’s beloved depot, which has become the symbol of the town. Things looked superb on the outside and, within, huge progress has been made. The group still needs money to buy the materials needed to prepare the building for use by the county artisans group.

Feeling cheerful after this update, we arrived at the town’s oldest surviving house, the Hugh McGlaughlin House.  Unlike the 2 other buildings on the tour, this former hotel had not been renovated after a fire, but had known a near-miss from being totally razed  to make room for  a new building. Earlier, when demolition  was begun, Member Jane Price Sharp passed by and alerted other members of PCHS of the imminent demise of the town’s oldest surviving structure. The Historical Society put up some money and this was added to by individuals and local clubs (particularly the Woman’s Club). Our patriarch member, the late Moffet McNeel, who was also on the Landmarks  Commission, led the journey to take the building apart and move the logs and to rebuild the house on Depot property. The fireplace that the group saw today was taken down from a house on Moffet’s farm, and rebuilt onto the McGlaughlin House. There was some discussion about how his efforts could be recognized. Landmarks Commission member Dennis Driscoll opened the building up to let us explore it and admire the rebuilt structure. Ginger Must, a descendant of Hugh McGlaughlin, told some of the family history, as we sat on the “front” steps, and Andrew Must took up the story of the most recent work to almost completion of his forebear’s home. There was a lot of lively discussion of Marlin’s Bottom history and the early pioneers of the County—one of the things that PCHS members thrive on. I think we had 16 or 17 people (members and visitors) at this point in the tour.

The longest walk of the tour was to St John’s Episcopal Church, the town’s oldest surviving church building. Here we had lemonade and snacks, as Denise showed off the Sunday School room whose Noah’s Ark decorations reminded us of the two “1,000 year floods” which the church had been deluged by (8 feet of water) in 1985 and 1996. She also told off the following fire that had traveled across  the roof from the furnace, and was so fierce that the pre-civil war glass center of the altar window(originally on an outside wall) had fallen in shards onto the altar and ground as the lead holding the pieces of glass melted. She showed the beautiful work, done by a Charleston stained glass artist, of the Episcopal symbol, surrounded by pieces of the old glass. Junior Warden, the late Harry Hock, had saved the shards and commissioned the work in honor of the women of the parish, many of whom had cleaned up after all 3 disasters. She also told of the 3 years of decision, during which the members worshiped at St. John Neumann church and debated how to handle the need for being out of the flood plain. The decision was made to raise the church up 8 feet and add on a bigger kitchen and Sunday School Room.The group then moved into the sanctuary of the Church and Denise told the tale of the early evangelization of the county (Madison Parish) of Episcopalians, Methodists and Presbyterians after the 4 major highways to Pocahontas County were completed. Their mutual co-operation was impeccable as they sought to serve their members scattered across this huge terrain. She told about the early laymen and priests, the building first of the Clover Lick Church (its two locations and names and its loss to fir in the 1990s), the purchase of a lot in Huntersville, not used because of the changing of the county seat to Marlinton, and the ups and downs which mirrored the increase and decrease in population over the years. She showed the certificate of consecration of 1911 which was allowed only after the mission had been there for 4 years and when the parish had “finally” paid off its mortgage. She also showed three items inscribed with the Pue name, a little note tucked into the frame of the certificate, the font and a wooden mounted cross. Her curiosity about this no name, no longer found in the area, led to her finding the story of local businessman and layman  Michael E. Pue, tragically killed at the age of 32 in 1915, when his scared horse threw him. The following year two of his relatives came in search of news about him and she answered both their and her own questions, discovering on the way, that he was married to Dr. Norman Price’s cousin, and much sorrow had been expressed in the newspaper at the loss of such an upstanding citizen.

Matt Tate presided over a short business meeting in the sanctuary. Both the minutes of the August meeting (Ruth, Nancy) and the current financial report (Denise, Ruth) were accepted. Bill also reported that he had traveled to Charleston and received the “check” for the matching fund for the museum roof from Governor Tomlin and done the initial grant training. A picture of Bill and Bryn Kusick(Opera House) with their checks appeared in the Pocahontas Times. The newsletter went out  (and was well received,)  and a picture of him and Geoff with the check headed the front sheet. He has received membership dues from 56 members so far. He has also received several donations for the roof fund, and we lack about $6,000 to make the match. We should like to be able to get the full amount offered to us. We now have a direct “donate” button on the Museum FaceBook page (thanks to James McNeel),  and there has been a lot of usage of the page by both members, locals and outside visitors. There was interest expressed in having fundraising activities; Matt will check with the fundraising committee.

 We have officially closed the museum, but may be open during the leaf peeping season. Let Denise know if you are willing to help out with this. We have a positive balance in the general fund, but have had to pay out more money for stocking up with books (particularly Price histories) than we have made in income, but this is not critical. The Anna Wallace marker is up. This is a pass through account and Bill is trying to get help with donations from various educational groups to make up the needed funds. This is a project of Gibbs Kinderman who has been very ill. Bill  has received $150 for this  from the retired school employees and will check with 2 other groups. This is not our legal responsibility, but we are “sponsors” of the program, so he will try get this stowed away. Mike Giolis, as requested, met with Bill, Geoff, and B. J. about the roof project. He concurred that the roof did, indeed, need to be replaced. He did not charge for his visit. His report has not yet arrived. Bill also met with Michael Mills of the Mills Group of Morgantown at the museum on Saturday (September 27). He has a contract with the state to help the recipients with grants. We now have an official sign which announces that such work is in progress. He and Mike Giolis have been in contact over the project. When paying for work, we have to pay the full amount and then will receive ½ back.

 Denise McNeel moved and Ruth Taylor seconded the motion that (incumbent on his willingness) Geoff Hamill be appointed to the second vice-presidency, the position vacated by Gail Hyer, but previously unfilled.  It was hoped that this would enable him (with the support of a building committee) to move forward with the replacement of the museum roof, for which he applied on our behalf and gained a matching grant from the state cultural division.Carried unanimously. We hope that the work will begin in the spring. There are a few repairs needed around the museum and there was some interest in knowing if the ark is to remain and concern about its current safety.

We discussed our upcoming PCHS October meeting and proposed having it (as was suggested for a meeting  last year) at the fire tower at Seneca State Park. Roger and Jan offered to rent a cabin the last Sunday in the month, so that we could meet there, and we all liked the idea. (However, Roger checked on Monday and found that can’t happen (Sunday is change-over day), and there is also concern that it would be too cold for the end of October). So, suggestions are needed for an October program. We have been  very happy with the programs this summer, have had good participation, and we have moved considerably around the county, so, please, give this some thought and let us know what you would like to do.

The meeting adjourned at 6PM (Matt) and the group moved on to the last stop of our tour, Molly’s new mural, The Civil War at Home in Pocahontas County. We enjoyed talking about the various elements she had introduced and identifying some familiar faces in the mural. We also talked about Margaret Poage Price who saved the Marlinton covered bridge from burning, by dousing it with bucketsful of water from the Greenbrier River after it had been set alight by troops. We were all in agreement that we were, indeed, lucky to have such a talented artist to portray our county’s history.

Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 3:00 pm at Old Buckeye School

Members in attendance: Bill & Denise McNeel, Matt Tate,  Helena and David Gondray, Norman Alderman, David Holmes, Mike & Christine Smith, Geoff Hamill, Virginia Kavage, Mark Mengele, Larry & Minnie Fay Taylor, Joe Smith, Carolyn Burns, JoAnn & Rob Lister, Brent Moore

About 15  visitors  Everyone present was asked to sign in and write where they had attended elementary school.

We started promptly with a welcome from President Matt Tate followed by a short business meeting. He also thanked Buckeye Bend Bookstore owner. Gerald Burnett, for his hospitality.

Denise McNeel read the minutes of the business section of the July meeting at Durbin, at which Jason Bauserman showed off the old jail and spoke about the history of Durbin as shown in Mayoral and Justice of Peace records. Minnie Faye moved acceptance of the minutes and Chris Smith seconded the motion. Carried. We wondered what B. J. had heard from Mike Giolis. Bill will attend the financial officer training for the Dept. of Culture  grant for renovation of the museum roof on Tuesday, August 26 in Charleston.

Bill presented the Treasurer's Report which showed in the general account, income of $3,894.63 and expenditures of $6595.25 and a balance of $279. 67. Several people paid annual dues at the meeting and more will come in when the news letter goes out. Bill and Denise have been working at the museum  since Khristian's  return to college and will work on the newsletter when we go to weekends only at the museum. We need museum volunteers for weekends in September and October and, with no host salary to pay, we should be fine financially. Bill sold $80 worth of books at the meeting. More copies of Milkweed Ladies should arrive tomorrow. Let him know if you want one. The museum renovation account stands at  $27,455.69. To obtain the full matching grant of almost $35,000, please do the math. Bill also received some donations at the meeting and they will appear on the next financial report. The financial report was accepted-moved Joe Smith and seconded Minnie Faye Taylor The meeting adjourned (moved Denise) at 3:15 and  PCHS member Helena Gondray opened the program part of the meeting, which she had organized.

We were all seated in the classroom for the younger children at Buckeye School, complete with blackboards, some school desks, maps, teacher desk and chair, books and tables original to the building. It easily fitted the 35 -40 people present. Mr. Burnett, a former school teacher, told of his purchase of the building and the slow process of emptying the building of junk and his turning it into a book store. He had even sanded and refinished the floor. The school had 2 large classrooms, 2 coatrooms and a large foyer. This classroom is the only room not filled with thousands of books and it looked splendid. He had not only prepared the room for our meeting but two friends had worked hard to make it shine. Matt and Bill had brought the museum chairs to Buckeye Bend and Mr. Burnett had furnished another ten, so we fit nicely. There will be pictures on the museum FB page.

Helena introduced Annabelle and Blix McNeill, Louise McNeill's sister-in-law and nephew. She presented Annabelle with a handmade shawl in her favorite color, pink. She invited Annabelle and other people present to reminisce over their time at the school.People recalled that after the school was closed, it was used as a community meeting place for several years, with 4Hers and Home Extension members meeting there and groups using the kitchen furnished by the H.E. club. The school was owned by several different people before its acquisition by the current owner. Bill McNeel talked about the Buckeye schools. The first school was built in the 1880s and was called the Rush Run School and that name was used intermittently with Buckeye over the years. When the school closed in 1960, the local children began to  be bused to the Marlinton Grade School.  Bea Gladwell was its last teacher.

Louise McNeill first taught at the Pleasant Hill School 1931-2. She also taught at Buckeye 1934-5, returned to Buckeye 1936-1938 and then taught at Marlinton Graded School 1938-9.

Helena first encountered the work of Louise through Mike Smith when he showed her Louise's eponymous poem at Droop Mountain. She called on Kurt Judd who was greatly influenced by Louise in his own poetry.He was honored to read his poem about Louise McNeill at her inauguration as Poet Laureate in 1979 (also the year she was Parade Marshal at Marlinton's Pioneer Days) and he read to the audience his own poem that incorporated a quatrain drawn from Gauley Mountain. In 1986 Louise was the West Virginian of the Year.

Helena then introduced West Virginian born scientist, Elizabeth Spangler, who currently lives in Lewisburg,  who did a powerpoint presentation on our former poet laureate. Looking round the room, she posited the idea that Louise drew inspiration for Rural Schoolhouse from her own education and teaching at the Buckeye School. She then spoke about Louise's ancestor Pioneer Settler Thomas McNeill and her grandfather Jim and his brother who fought on opposing sides in the Civil  War. When defeated at Droop Mountain, Jim refused to acknowledge his brother. Jim was imprisoned for the rest of the war. He was 55 years old when his son, and Louise's father, George Douglas (G.D.) was born. Louise, G.D's third child was born in 1911. After serving in the navy, he did a law degree but was disbarred in WV because of his drunkenness. He later received a teaching certificate and taught the rest of his life. He also wrote stories and historical articles. Ms. Spangler also spoke of Louise's disillusionment when she assisted an "outsider" in teaching at a Bible School in Swago, who then wrote an article denigrating the "backwardness" of the local people. , Together with her sister Elizabeth, Louise attended Concord Normal School in 1927. Here she obtained a teaching certificate, took some philosophy courses and took a poetry course in which she was given a D. She later obtained a B.A. in English in 1936. During this time she wrote the poem, Blue and Brown. She sold her first poem, Song in the Saddle, in 1928 to Forum magazine and her first book of poetry, Mountain White, which consisted of 30 one-sided pages and featured 12-13 poems was published in 1931 when she was 20. Alice Waugh had a copy of this hard-to-find publication. Earning $90 a month as a teacher, she sold poems for $5 a line to the Saturday Evening Post and was invited to meet Louis Untermeyer in Huntington when she attended the State Teacher Meeting. Ms. Spangler also told of her attending a formal dance with him, for which she had borrowed her cousin Ann's clothes.

In 1939 her Book of Poems was published in Miami, Ohio and she decided to write as her thesis, Gauley Mountain (pub. 1939). In 1938 she attended the Breadloaf Writers Workshop. Here she met and married Homer O. Williams, was married three weeks, and then divorced for $35. She took courses taught by Robert Frost and Archibald McLeish.

In 1939 she married Roger Pease and lived first in Massachusetts. They lived in Aiken, South Carolina where husband taught at a private school which she did not enjoy. Her only child, Douglas McNeill Pease, was born in 1940. In 1942, Time was our House appeared. In 1959 she obtained PhDs in both History and English from WVU, but it was 30 years before her next book of poetry, Paradox Hill, was published. She taught in various West Virginia colleges. In 1973 she and Roger retired to Massachusetts. They then moved to Lewisburg, West Virginia and in 1979 her history of West Virginia in verse, Elderberry Flood, was published. They moved back to Massachusetts to be close to her son and Milkweed Ladies was published in 1988. Roger died in  in 1990. In 1991 Maggie Anderson edited her, Hill Daughter, the year that she moved to a nursing home in Malden where she wrote, "Ballad of the Rest Home".  She died in 1993 and her collection, Fermi Buffalo, which highlighted the dichotomy of old and new ways, was published posthumously.

After the talk, Helena presented Ms. Spangler  with a book and our thanks, and everyone gathered  for refreshments. We had our traditional August water melon, and cookies provided by Chris, Helena, JoAnn and Denise and drinks by Matt. Thanks to all of them. Bill sold books and many people browsed in the book store, paid dues and visited. Great meeting. Enormous thanks to Helena for putting the program together and publicizing it so well that we had a full room! We adjourned at 5:30 PM. A special meeting will be held after Bill gets back from Charleston to discuss fundraising and museum roof renovation plans. Suggestions for our next monthly meeting program would be appreciated. Donations for the museum roof, annual dues and newsletter articles can be sent to PCHS, 810 Second Avenue, Marlinton, WV 24954. Let me know if you have friends or family who would like to be added to our e-mail list.

Monday, July 28, 2014 - 7:00 pm at Durbin Town Hall

People in Attendance: Jason Bauserman, Donald Peck, Jeremy Bauserman, Nancy Egan, Jan and Roger Orndorff, Minnie Fay and Larry Taylor, Bill and Denise McNeel, Geoff Hamill, B.J. Gudmundsson, Matt Tate, Joe Smith.

Apologies: Chris and Mike Smith, Brent Moore, John R. McNeel (!)

Matt wins the prize for the longest journey (Mill Point), with Jan and Roger close seconds, having come in from Highland County, Virginia!

The group gathered at the Town Office on Main Street and then moved on to the Old Town Jail. Jason and Donald told us about the history of the building, showed us the two celled building and artifacts left in the building and told us about important events connected with the jail and some of the sentences and fines awarded for crimes at the time of the “wild west” period, when Durbin was growing and full of settlers. This was a new experience for us visitors and fascinating. Marlinton Mayor Joe Smith explained that Marlinton has never had a jail, having used the county jails at Huntersville and Marlinton. We wondered if Hillsboro ever had its own jail.

We then moved back to the Durbin Municipal Building where Nancy Egan had set up lavish refreshments. Thank you, Nancy!

The society monthly meeting was called to order at 6:55PM by President Matt Tate. Bill gave out copies of the financial report. Membership dues are lagging but should increase with the sending out of the annual letter next month (Articles are needed for this!!!). We had an unexpected expenditure, $700, for the removal of an apple tree which had fallen from our property onto the adjacent “Richardson” building. There is additional damage, which we hope will be covered by the owner’s insurance, but for which we may be liable.

 Visitors so far this year stands at 318, down from this time last year by nearly 100. This may be attributable to our late opening due to safety issues, but also to fewer visitors moving around and no craft activities and no transportation to the museum during Pioneer Days. (We did hold the spelling bees and history contests there, but they were sparsely attended). We again had a float and the dressed walkers also collected donations for the museum fund, which brought in $72. We also received the “Pioneer” award; we are small but mighty!

Geoff reported on his successful application submission and the receipt of a grant of almost $35,000 (which is contingent on matching funds by us) from the state humanities council towards work on the roof of the Hunter House museum. Bill will attend the required August financial officer meeting in Charleston about the grant rules and guidelines. Matt expressed the fervent appreciation from the rest of us for Geoff’s exceptional and considerable efforts to obtain these funds. However, fundraising will be the next priority. Bill announced and showed a check for $500 from a family from Oak Hill in appreciation for the tour they had made that afternoon to the museum. We were flabbergasted.

Bill reported that our mainstay, history book sales, were down (This is true in the whole area, we hear). There was discussion about on-line sales. Geoff has web space and will investigate this and make a sample website for one, possibly by our next month’s meeting.

Denise moved and Matt seconded the motion to accept the financial report. Carried.

Denise read the minutes of the June meeting and several points led to further discussion. B.J. will contact Mike Giolis about his visit and his recommendations.  Joe pointed out that no action has been taken on the $2500 bid by Ron’s Tree Service for the removal of the large trees which are close to the cabin and main house. He will contact the company to see if they will hold that price until the fall. There was discussion and suggestions of how some of that money might be recouped by sales of some of the resulting lumber.

B. J moved and Joe seconded that the minutes be accepted. Carried.

B. J made the motion and the business meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM, so we could move on to the program.

 The History of Durbin

The table in the front of the council room was loaded with huge tomes, open at beautifully copper-plate handwritten records. Donald showed us further piles of volumes in an adjoining room. What a treasure chest of historical information! These belong to the Town of Durbin, so, open to the public, though no-one may move the books from the council chambers.  Jason has been perusing these volumes for several years now, but is less than halfway through the huge stash. He had put markers in interesting and important records. In addition to the Town’s records, which included the setting up of the ordinances for the newly founded town (June 20, 1906), there were Justice of Peace records for the northern end of Pocahontas County and store records which clearly illustrated life in early Durbin and prohibition times.

 We learned that 13.9 acres were set off for the new town, but the West Fork section has not been (and probably never will be) developed. This land was sold to John T. McGraw by Colonel Robert Kerr. In Jason’s estimation, the founding father of Durbin was Dr. P.D. Arbogast, who, as the first mayor, oversaw the creation of the town’s new ordinances, licenses and taxes AND heard legal cases in the town and ran the jail. It was an incredible amount of work to establish a new town amid hundreds of people moving in. He set the price for a monthly cleaning of every privy at $1, for example. A new mayor was elected every year and a few years later Dr. Arbogast disappeared from prominence in the town’s administration.

 Jason also showed us the books kept by the Kerr and Wilmuth Store. Over 200 people had credit accounts and, as the years passed, the range of items sold increased dramatically. Credit became a major problem and Jason told of one woman, whose house was almost ransacked and her possessions sold off (with the price and purchasers listed in the register) to pay her debts!

As the town became more established, deliberate efforts were made to bring business to Durbin. Livestock was brought to Durbin instead of Staunton for shipment and there was a resulting increase in marriages between local residents and spouses from Blue Grass, Virginia. A

particularly diverting aside was a look at the period of prohibition (1921-1925) under the county sheriff, Brown Beard. Many of us have heard of her exploits from Jessie Powell, his daughter, who, as a child accompanied her father to destroy stills and haul in the miscreants.  Jason also touched on the houses of ill repute, the selling of liquor (which led to housing in the federal penitentiary)  and crimes that occurred in the town and nearby logging camps. Jason had no difficulty holding our attention. His talk closed at 9 PM, but several people stayed on to discuss, look at the records, so it was a late night home for many of us. Thanks to Jason for making this informative and entertaining; obviously, much time and work had gone into his presentation. A good time was had by all.

Friday, June 20, 2014 - 5:00 pm at Huntersville School

We celebrated West Virginia Day with the Huntersville Historical Traditions at a picnic on the grounds of the school. The declaration of the creation of the State of West Virginia was read by Dr. Katharine Antolini of West Virginia Wesleyan College, and this was followed by 151 strikes of the church bell and then by West Virginia cakes and ice cream and door prizes furnished by local individuals and businesses. Thanks to all the people who worked so hard to make this a success.

The group moved inside for Dr. Antolini’s talk on the origins of Memorial Day (particularly the role of women to preserve the memory of the confederacy) and Mother’s Day. After questions and discussion, members of PCHS had their meeting at 8PM.

Members in attendance included Matt Tate, B.J.Gudmundsson, Joe Smith, Bill McNeel, Bob Sheets and Denise McNeel.

Denise read the minutes of our last meeting and Bill gave a treasurer’s report. There were updates on items mentioned in the minutes.

1. Mark Menghele and Dick Simmons put in many hours and care into repairing the hole at the top of the museum stairs and used extra boards from the Opera House, which had been stored in the box car. Several stainings and impeccable workmanship make the replacement wood blend perfectly with the original. When the hole was opened, dampness was very visible, so the drying off of this wood was beneficial. David Holmes put support timbers beneath the river porch, and when we were confident of the safety of the building, our summer season opened on June 10. Khristian Smith is again the summer host.

2. The Anna Wallace road sign was picked up by Bill Barnett and will be erected by his crew at Mill Point. Mr. Barnett also said he would look at the roof  and hidden gutters to see what he would recommend.

3. Joe Smith contacted sawmills and Asplundh. Ron’s Tree Service quoted $2500 for the removal of all the trees we had discussed.

4. Mike Gioulis will be at the museum to look it over on Monday, June23 at 11PM and give us his thoughts on needs and requirements, vis a vis buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.

5. BJ moved and Joe seconded this that the society meet a week or so after Mike’s visit to vote on how to proceed. Carried.

6. In 2013 the Museum 664 visitors

In honor of Bill McNeel’s upcoming 75th birthday, James and Denise McNeel made a donation of $7500 to the Museum Building fund. Denise recognized the vast numbers of hours put in by her husband to preserve the historical legacy of Pocahontas County and urged other members to dig deep to  ensure that our generation pass on to future generations the many gifts given and preserved by people from all over the County.

Continuing the tradition of moving our meetings around the county, our first two meetings this year were in Marlinton and Huntersville and July’s will be in Durbin and August’s in Buckeye. Further suggestions for programs will be welcomed. Bill will send out the newsletter in mid-July and would welcome articles from members. These should be sent to him by the end of June. Several articles were offered by people there.

We need volunteers to work Sunday afternoons (1-5PM) at the museum. Please let Denise know if you are willing to cover some Sundays. Zach has volunteered for July 6-7 and July 13-14.

Pioneer Days - The craftsmen will not be at the museum this year. The History Contests and Spelling Bees will, as usual, be held at the museum. There is no shuttle transportation, but the town will put up signs indicating the direction to museum tours.  The museum will open at its usual time of 11 AM on the Friday and at 9 AM on the Saturday of Pioneer Days. So far, no Pioneer Days badges have been received to sell.  The Old Clark Inn will be featured on the badge. It was decided that our “float” would be simple and devoted to a SAVE THE MUSEUM theme. If you would like to participate in this, contact Matt. The meeting adjourned at 8:52 PM.

Monday, May 19, 2014 - 7:00 pm at the Museum

The purpose of the meeting was to examine the state of the museum building and to prioritize its immediate and long term needs.

Members in attendance: Matt Tate, Geoff Hamill, Bill McNeel, Ashley Fleming, Mark Mengele, B. J Gudmundsson, Rob Lister, JoAnn Lister, Denise McNeel, Joe Smith, Gail Hyer

Apologies received from Zach Grimes, Nancy Wooldridge and Roger Forman

The group assembled in the Pearl Buck Library and then went outside to examine the exterior of the building. Ashley made notes of observed problems. The group entered the building and looked at the stairs, both floors and the two porches. The interior had not been cleaned nor the walls brushed off, so that the members could see hanging plaster. Last year a few members had noticed a weak area on the landing floor. In the course of our inspection that weak place became a quite large hole in the flooring. Members took photographs of the various problem areas.

President Matt Tate called on Geoff Hamill, who this winter took the lead in having the roof examined and looking for contractors to work on it, as well as actively seeking funding towards repairs, to report on his investigations.  Three contractors looked at the roof, but only one, Reliable Roofing of Elkins, made a bid of $43,000 for the roof replacement. In addition, Geoff appeared before the County Commission to request money for repairs at the museum. He secured a donation of $10,000 from them. In addition, the County  Landmarks Commission gave PCHS $5,000 towards this project. Moreover, Geoff took on the arduous task of applying for a grant from the State Preservation Office. Results of that application will not be known until after July 1. Should we receive grant money from them, then prevailing wages will have to be paid, which could increase the cost of repairs considerably  ($ 20,000). Geoff answered many questions from the members present, explaining that the price bid was for a metal roof over rubber and would include treating the hidden gutters, a  distinctive characteristic of the museum’s architecture, but which are also the source of leaks which  have caused deterioration of the soffit and fascia. There was discussion about alternate materials, other contractors and  the rules of the National Register of Historic Places.  The Society owes a huge debt of gratitude to Geoff for his initiative and persistence.

Bill presented a treasurer’s report that showed that the $15,000 allotted to us has been paid and that we have $3800 more in the building fund. B. J and Ashley volunteered to lead fundraising. We also need a membership drive and publicity. Bill asked for articles for the newsletter which needs to be sent out early  to solicit support.

The group then addressed problems observed in the walk around, which were many and various. Matt focused first on the problems that needed to be addressed before we reopen the museum to the public (after Memorial Day).  The flooring on the landing is an obvious danger. Mark Mengele volunteered to take this on. At first the  idea was to put in plywood, (The Listers offered some of this and B.J. has stain) but Joe Smith recalled that in the boxcar at the depot there is tongue and groove lumber that came from the Opera House, so Mark will evaluate the alternatives. Geoff Hamill is also willing to work on this. Another problem that needs to be investigated is the source of the dampness that we struggled with last year in the roof over the river porch (see September minutes). A couple of loose stones on the entrance porch need to be stabilized.

It was also felt that the various sources of dampness need to be located and solved before dealing with the roof, but that the roof was our number one priority for the protection of the collection.

Joe Smith drew attention to a huge pine tree on the property, which could damage the house, should it fall. He will try to find someone who would fell it in exchange for the lumber. He also pointed out that the locust tree needs to be trimmed for the protection of the buildings and that hemlock trees seem to be dying.

Other sources of possible funding were also discussed. Matt will contact Mike Geolis for information on restrictions and changes allowed in the restoration of historic structures. B. J will also contact   Danielle Lapresta of the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia.

This was not  a business meeting so no motions were passed, but every person there was fully involved in the urgency of the building’s needs.

B.J. mentioned that the Pioneer Village would not be located at the museum this year during Pioneer Days. Denise, B. J and Joann will begin cleaning the museum in the next weeks. Further volunteers are needed. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.