Current Preserve WV AmeriCorps Members
Learn more about our newest class of Members below and visit Preserve WV Stories to read about the service they are providing to revitalize our Mountain State.
DWAYNE BARTLEY
Dwayne Bartley is serving as a part-time Preserve WV AmeriCorps member with the Historic Glenwood Foundation in Charleston. He's a West Virginia native hailing from eastern Kanawha County. His duties will primarily involve digitizing Glenwood's extensive archival collection.
Dwayne is a former VISTA returning to AmeriCorps service after a career in state government. As an avid railroad buff, Dwayne can often be found train watching in southern West Virginia--unless he's hiking or chasing an adopted hound.
Dwayne is a former VISTA returning to AmeriCorps service after a career in state government. As an avid railroad buff, Dwayne can often be found train watching in southern West Virginia--unless he's hiking or chasing an adopted hound.
Jacob Blackall
Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission
Charles Town, WV
2023-2024 Service Term
Charles Town, WV
2023-2024 Service Term
Hi! My name is Jake and I’m a PAWV AmeriCorps Member serving at the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission in Charles Town, WV. I studied public history at Shepherd University and plan to pursue a graduate degree in historic preservation. The Eastern Panhandle is my adopted home and I’ve long been an admirer of the natural beauty and history our state has to offer, so I’m thrilled to play a part in preserving it.
In my spare time I love to be outdoors! I also play the drums, am a huge Detroit Red Wings fan, and I frequently make friends with stray cats.
In my spare time I love to be outdoors! I also play the drums, am a huge Detroit Red Wings fan, and I frequently make friends with stray cats.
Dalton Carney
World Scouting Museum
Charleston, WV
2023-2024 Service Term
Hello! My name is Dalton and I am the current PAWV AmeriCorps Member serving at the World Scouting Museum in Charleston, WV. At Marshall University I studied Music Theory/Composition and I have plans to study education in my graduate degree. I was born in Charleston, so it is great to be back and serve the community I once was a part of growing up.
In my spare time over the years I participated in the WGI Percussion activity, and became a Percussion Independent World class finalist for 3 years. During that time I also composed pieces that were performed across West Virginia.
Charleston, WV
2023-2024 Service Term
Hello! My name is Dalton and I am the current PAWV AmeriCorps Member serving at the World Scouting Museum in Charleston, WV. At Marshall University I studied Music Theory/Composition and I have plans to study education in my graduate degree. I was born in Charleston, so it is great to be back and serve the community I once was a part of growing up.
In my spare time over the years I participated in the WGI Percussion activity, and became a Percussion Independent World class finalist for 3 years. During that time I also composed pieces that were performed across West Virginia.
Makayla Carney
Hi! I’m Makayla Carney, the PAWV AmeriCorps member at Wheeling Heritage, which is just perfect as I am a Wheeling native. I spent my whole life here, save four years when I defected to Chicago to get a BFA in Film and Television from DePaul University.
While in college, I had the privilege to be involved in a large number of wonderful film projects, including a documentary shoot in Mumbai, India. I spent most of my time writing and researching all manners of film history.
I am happy-dance level thrilled to bring passion for art and history to the table at Wheeling Heritage. I hope to get people as exited about Wheeling’s history and current landscape as I am.
In my spare time, I read (a lot), watch movies (a lot), act in plays, and try to master the perfect dal tadka.
While in college, I had the privilege to be involved in a large number of wonderful film projects, including a documentary shoot in Mumbai, India. I spent most of my time writing and researching all manners of film history.
I am happy-dance level thrilled to bring passion for art and history to the table at Wheeling Heritage. I hope to get people as exited about Wheeling’s history and current landscape as I am.
In my spare time, I read (a lot), watch movies (a lot), act in plays, and try to master the perfect dal tadka.
Sharon David
Friends of Wheeling & Preservation Alliance of West Virginia
2022-2023, 2023-2024 Service Terms
2022-2023, 2023-2024 Service Terms
Second year AmeriCorps Member Sharon David is working to revitalize Ohio County's orphan cemeteries through her work with the Friends of Wheeling Orphan Cemeteries Project. She is also working with Preservation Alliance of West Virginia on projects to encourage young people to consider a career in preservation trades.
Following a stint in the Navy, she spent a year interning with the White House National Service team to launch AmeriCorps, then joined the newly formed Corporation for National Service to help establish the National Civilian Conservation Corps. When considering how to spend her retirement years, Sharon decided to combine her passion for transforming herself, places, and things with service. Sharon graduated from the Building Preservation and Restoration Program at Belmont College in 2023 and plans to help communities preserve their heritage and create economic opportunities by finding new uses for their special buildings and places.
Following a stint in the Navy, she spent a year interning with the White House National Service team to launch AmeriCorps, then joined the newly formed Corporation for National Service to help establish the National Civilian Conservation Corps. When considering how to spend her retirement years, Sharon decided to combine her passion for transforming herself, places, and things with service. Sharon graduated from the Building Preservation and Restoration Program at Belmont College in 2023 and plans to help communities preserve their heritage and create economic opportunities by finding new uses for their special buildings and places.
Trent Dayton
Cockayne Farmstead
2022-2023, 2023-2024 Service Terms
My name is Trent and I am a Preserve WV Americorps member serving with Cockayne Farmstead. I am from Wheeling WV and currently live in Moundsville WV. After I graduated from Wheeling Park High School in 2019, I got a job at the Former West Virginia Penitentiary where over my time there, I was trained on just about everything. I also created a TikTok account for it and that gained over 50,000 followers, accumulated over half a million likes, and received millions of views.
I already had a love for history prior to working there, but my love turned into a passion. I would like to, one day, manage and operate a historic site. I am so thrilled to be working with Americorps in order to gain more experience in a field I care so much about.
2022-2023, 2023-2024 Service Terms
My name is Trent and I am a Preserve WV Americorps member serving with Cockayne Farmstead. I am from Wheeling WV and currently live in Moundsville WV. After I graduated from Wheeling Park High School in 2019, I got a job at the Former West Virginia Penitentiary where over my time there, I was trained on just about everything. I also created a TikTok account for it and that gained over 50,000 followers, accumulated over half a million likes, and received millions of views.
I already had a love for history prior to working there, but my love turned into a passion. I would like to, one day, manage and operate a historic site. I am so thrilled to be working with Americorps in order to gain more experience in a field I care so much about.
Danny Dillon
Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex
2023-2024 Service Term
2023-2024 Service Term
Daniel (Danny) Dillon is a bioarchaeologist originally from Washington, PA. He completed his B.A. in Anthropology at WVU in 2021 and is expected to graduate with an M.A. in Applied Anthropology at Mississippi State University in 2024. His research centers on lived experience during the Late Bronze Age in Mycenaean Achaea, Greece.
This is Danny’s first year serving at Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex, returning after completing the Governor’s Internship there in 2020. Though his studies are predominantly in the bioarchaeology of Ancient Greece, he is also passionate about museum work and engaging with the public to better present the rich history of Appalachia.
Aside from archaeology and history, Danny enjoys the arts and the outdoors, whether it be creating music and paintings or going on hikes. In his spare time, he usually plays guitar or lays around with his two cats Bob and Linda.
This is Danny’s first year serving at Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex, returning after completing the Governor’s Internship there in 2020. Though his studies are predominantly in the bioarchaeology of Ancient Greece, he is also passionate about museum work and engaging with the public to better present the rich history of Appalachia.
Aside from archaeology and history, Danny enjoys the arts and the outdoors, whether it be creating music and paintings or going on hikes. In his spare time, he usually plays guitar or lays around with his two cats Bob and Linda.
Lois Hilbert
Main Street Ripley
2023-2024 Service Term
2023-2024 Service Term
Mary Linscheid
Arthurdale Heritage, Inc.
2023-2024 Service Term
2023-2024 Service Term
An 8th generation West Virginian, Mary Linscheid grew up with a deep connection to her homeland and community. From an early age, she dedicated herself to learning and participating in Appalachian traditions such as fiddling, gardening, and plant medicine. She studied fiddle repair with Chris Haddox through the West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program 2022-2023 and currently performs with the neo-traditional bands The Shoats and Half Past Four. In college, her studies in English, Appalachian Music, and Appalachian Studies allowed her to develop the skills and understanding she would need to fulfill her desires of inspiring creative change in her community through writing, music, and hands-on experience.
She is thrilled to be serving as a Preserve WV AmeriCorps member at Arthurdale Heritage, Inc., just a short drive from where she grew up. There, she assists with a wide range of activities from managing archival materials to organizing events to playing fiddle for the regular Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. square dances. In her free time, you can find her reading or exploring old cemeteries.
She is thrilled to be serving as a Preserve WV AmeriCorps member at Arthurdale Heritage, Inc., just a short drive from where she grew up. There, she assists with a wide range of activities from managing archival materials to organizing events to playing fiddle for the regular Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. square dances. In her free time, you can find her reading or exploring old cemeteries.
Lee Maddex
West Virginia University Regional History Center
Morgantown, WV
2021-2022, 2022-2023, & 2023-2024 Service Terms
Morgantown, WV
2021-2022, 2022-2023, & 2023-2024 Service Terms
Lee Maddex is serving his third Preserve WV AmeriCorps term with West Virginia University Regional History Center. Previously, he served with the Morgantown History Museum and spent his time locating and collaborating the museum’s accessions inventories and then cataloging those accessions in a comprehensive searchable database.
Lee is a two time graduate of West Virginia University with a Bachelors of Arts in Mathematics and a Masters of Arts in Public History. In his career, Lee has principally worked in the area of historic preservation and cultural resources management. Most recently, before his AmeriCorps Service, he was Library Technician at the West Virginia and Regional History Center. Additionally, he served a term on a Pittsburgh area historic preservation commission and has been a history consultant on various projects related to historic preservation and the history of technology.
Lee is a two time graduate of West Virginia University with a Bachelors of Arts in Mathematics and a Masters of Arts in Public History. In his career, Lee has principally worked in the area of historic preservation and cultural resources management. Most recently, before his AmeriCorps Service, he was Library Technician at the West Virginia and Regional History Center. Additionally, he served a term on a Pittsburgh area historic preservation commission and has been a history consultant on various projects related to historic preservation and the history of technology.
Joni Morris
Preservation Alliance of West Virginia
2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024 Service Terms
2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024 Service Terms
Griffin Nordstrom
Ritchietown Renaissance
Wheeling, WV
2023-2024 Service Term
Wheeling, WV
2023-2024 Service Term
Griffin Nordstrom grew up in Morgantown, WV, and graduated from West Virginia University in 2022. He received dual bachelors in Art History and Sculpture with minors in Printmaking and Engineering in Society. In Fall 2023, he started his Master’s degree in Public History at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. His position is with Ritchietown Renaissance in Wheeling, this will be his first term with PAWV, but his 2nd year with Americorps. He previously was in the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area program at the Beverly Heritage Center, near Elkins WV.
Outside of his master’s program and Americorps, Griffin is a textiles artist, continuing a multi-generational Appalachian quiltmaking tradition. In his art, he integrates a plastic recycling practice into the resourceful textiles culture. He hopes his various artistic skills and brandbuilding experience will be helpful in establishing Ritchietown Renaissance’s presence in Wheeling and the region.
Outside of his master’s program and Americorps, Griffin is a textiles artist, continuing a multi-generational Appalachian quiltmaking tradition. In his art, he integrates a plastic recycling practice into the resourceful textiles culture. He hopes his various artistic skills and brandbuilding experience will be helpful in establishing Ritchietown Renaissance’s presence in Wheeling and the region.
Vanessa Pena
West Virginia Humanities Council
2022-2023, 2023-2024 Service Terms
2022-2023, 2023-2024 Service Terms
Vanessa is a Preserve WV AmeriCorps Member and a resident of Charleston, serving at the West Virginia Humanities Council for her second term. She is assisting the State Folklorist, Jennie Williams, with transcriptions, fieldwork, and archival preparation for the West Virginia Folklife Program. Vanessa graduated from West Virginia State University in 2023 with a degree in Communications with an emphasis in visual media and a minor in Studio Art.
During her time in college, Vanessa worked for the chemistry department as a lab assistant for 2 years, then worked for the office of student affairs and enrollment management as a graphic designer and social media manager for a year and a half. In her spare time, Vanessa creates traditional art using a variety of mediums as well as cooking new foods.
During her time in college, Vanessa worked for the chemistry department as a lab assistant for 2 years, then worked for the office of student affairs and enrollment management as a graphic designer and social media manager for a year and a half. In her spare time, Vanessa creates traditional art using a variety of mediums as well as cooking new foods.
John Peyton
The City of Ravenswood: Great Bend Museum
2023-2024 Service Term
2023-2024 Service Term
John Peyton grew up in the Indianapolis, IN area and graduated with his BA in History from University of Indianapolis. He also holds an MA in U.S. History and another MA in Public History from Indiana University and IUPUI. This is his first term as a PAVW AmeriCorps member and he is serving at the Great Bend Museum.
The museum started in 1972 but has been undergoing major changes in the past couple years, particularly in regards to its collections and storage. Major improvements have been made to the museum, but there is still much work to do.
John brings a historical research background to the museum that he will use to interpret the items in the Great Bend Museum's collections and the history of Jackson County. Additionally, he is passionate about Native American history in the OhIo Valley and seeks to find ways to incorporate local histories of individuals within the community into the museum.
The museum started in 1972 but has been undergoing major changes in the past couple years, particularly in regards to its collections and storage. Major improvements have been made to the museum, but there is still much work to do.
John brings a historical research background to the museum that he will use to interpret the items in the Great Bend Museum's collections and the history of Jackson County. Additionally, he is passionate about Native American history in the OhIo Valley and seeks to find ways to incorporate local histories of individuals within the community into the museum.
Trent Dayton
Marshall County Historical Society, Cockayne Farmstead
2022-2023, 2023-2024 Service Terms
My name is Trent and I am a Preserve WV Americorps member serving with the Marshall County Historical Society and Cockayne Farmstead. I am from Wheeling WV and currently live in Moundsville WV. After I graduated from Wheeling Park High School in 2019, I got a job at the Former West Virginia Penitentiary where over my time there, I was trained on just about everything. I also created a TikTok account for it and that gained over 50,000 followers, accumulated over half a million likes, and received millions of views.
I already had a love for history prior to working there, but my love turned into a passion. I would like to, one day, manage and operate a historic site. I am so thrilled to be working with Americorps in order to gain more experience in a field I care so much about.
2022-2023, 2023-2024 Service Terms
My name is Trent and I am a Preserve WV Americorps member serving with the Marshall County Historical Society and Cockayne Farmstead. I am from Wheeling WV and currently live in Moundsville WV. After I graduated from Wheeling Park High School in 2019, I got a job at the Former West Virginia Penitentiary where over my time there, I was trained on just about everything. I also created a TikTok account for it and that gained over 50,000 followers, accumulated over half a million likes, and received millions of views.
I already had a love for history prior to working there, but my love turned into a passion. I would like to, one day, manage and operate a historic site. I am so thrilled to be working with Americorps in order to gain more experience in a field I care so much about.
Riley Phares
Morgantown History Museum
2023-2024 Service Year
2023-2024 Service Year
Hi, My name is Riley Phares and I’m serving the Morgantown History Museum. This is my first service term with Preserve WV Americorps and I’m excited to be able to be able to serve at a local history museum. I grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia so to be able to serve in this area has been a great opportunity! I graduated from West Virginia University with a BA in History and Anthropology. Prior to this, I worked for a year as an archaeological field technician. I have a passion for history and I want to share this with the community I grew up in.
Beside archaeology and history, I love hiking, reading, and drinking copious cups of tea.
Beside archaeology and history, I love hiking, reading, and drinking copious cups of tea.
Marsha Viglianco
Clarksburg History Museum
2022-2023, 2023-2024 Service Terms
2022-2023, 2023-2024 Service Terms
