Preservation Alliance has teamed up with WBOY Channel 12 on a 12 week news series about WV Endangered Properties in north-central West Virginia.  The first news story is about Woodlawn Cemetery & Caretaker’s Home in Fairmont, Marion County, WV.  Our very own field services representative, Lynn Stasick, was interviewed about this property.  Lynn has been helping with the rehabilitation of the historic windows in the residence.

Enjoy this short video and look for more over the next 11 weeks!

There will be a public meeting to discuss next steps for the historic Golden Rule building in Philippi on 5/15.

​All are encouraged to attend to help plan for the re-use of this downtown staple.  Show your love for this building during historic preservation month by supporting  this 2014 WV Endangered Property.

In April 2014, Alex became the AmeriCorps VISTA for Preservation Alliance of West Virginia. Her goal is to assist West Virginian communities to utilize state and national resources to better protect, preserve, and reuse historic sites across the state.

Alex will be serving at the PAWV office at the Darden House in Elkins.  She has been tasked with projects including an economic impact study of WV’s Development Grant, helping heritage tourism initiatives in central WV, and assisting with grant applications.  You can contact Alex at [email protected] or stop in during regular office hours to see her.

Fayetteville is no stranger to serving as a hub of activity.  During the Civil War, Fayetteville was occupied by both the Union and Confederacy due to its strategic location.  During the early 1900’s, Fayetteville grew as a center of law and business in the area and remains the seat of Fayette County today.  The school building was witness to the early prosperity of Fayetteville and experienced evolving uses while under the ownership by the Board of Education.  The school was built in 1923 by skilled Italian stone masons.  The builder, C.G. Juanutolo, constructed many of the other stone buildings in the area.  Originally, the structure was home to the town’s high school then later the middle school.  Most recently, the building stored equipment and supplies for the school board.

The need for a central community space has become more evident as Fayetteville has continued serving as a central location for cultural activity in Fayette County and the surrounding area.  Additionally, a study by students in West Virginia University’s Community Design Team verified the benefits of such a community space.  The study, conducted during 2007, recognized the historic significance and opportunities such a space would provide to the community.  It became clear that this option should gain serious evaluation.  Town Superintendent, Bill Lanham, began contacting possible community groups and the Board of Education who possessed the building at that time.

After four years of efforts to secure the deed, the town acquired the building from the Board of Education at the end of 2011.  Even before the news was official, the town was beginning to receive interest from community groups who were looking for new activity space.  Interest has been expressed by a wide variety of groups including, but not limited to, the Fayetteville Women’s Club, Rotary Club, and Arts Coalition. Individual citizens and council members have also come to the support of the Town’s efforts.

​Fayetteville is clear in its goal to keep the building – it is a piece of the town’s historic heritage and capable of endless possibilities for the space would provide.  The sky is the limit when it comes to the potential of the building.  How cool would it be to see local artists’ pieces on display, possibly catch a music recital, and visit local history exhibits all in one spot?  The completed roof repair will hopefully act as catalyst to continue reuse projects and brighten the future for the town while remaining true to its storied past.

​Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV) is accepting nominations for the 2014 West Virginia Historic Preservation Awards.

Here is a link to the 2014 Awards Nomination Form, which is also available in PDF format.  All nominations are due May 30th. Please submit your nomination via email to [email protected]. If possible, please submit 3 photos of the project nomination with your submission.

A special nominating committee consisting of PAWV board members and staff will select and  notify the awardees, as well as the nominators of the nomination status. All are welcome to  submit nominations and attend the banquet. Nominators can submit more than one nomination but must submit one nomination per award.

For information on award recipients from previous years, visit http://pawv.org/awards.htm.