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West Virginia Historic Preservationists Honored at Annual Awards Ceremony

5/19/2026

 
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The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, the statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the state’s historic places and properties, announced the recipients of the 17th annual West Virginia Historic Preservation Awards at a special banquet on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the MAC Ice House in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.  These awards recognized outstanding contributions to historic preservation throughout the Mountain State.
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The banquet was the culminating activity for this year’s West Virginia Historic Preservation Conference held May 12 – 14. Preservationists gathered from throughout the state and region. Other activities included educational sessions, hands-on trades demonstrations, and tours of historic sites. The conference welcomed speakers from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Park Service, Main Street America, and more. 
 
2026 West Virginia Historic Preservation Award Recipients

  • Outstanding AmeriCorps Service Award – Joni Morris (Fairmont)
  • Preservation Hero Award – Zachary Salman (Berkeley Springs)
  • Stewardship Award – Bill Grantham (Middleway)
  • Historic Tax Credit Award (Town) –Stephenson Apartments, Mark Letenzi (Charles Town)
  • Historic Tax Credit Award (City) – Prichard Hotel Renovation, Cornerstone Community Development (Huntington)
  • Rodney Collins Preservation Achievement Award – Meredith Kiger (Preston County)
  • Michael Gioulis Downtown Preservation Award – Partner Community Capital (Charles Town)
  • Dr. Emory Kemp Lifetime Achievement Award – Martin Burke (Jefferson County)
  • Betty “Snookie” Nutting Preservation Persistence Award – Town of Romney, WV Schools for Deaf and Blind Dairy Barn (Romney)
  • Betty “Snookie” Nutting Preservation Persistence Award – Morgan Arts Council, MAC Ice House, Berkeley Springs

​Detailed information about each award included below.

Outstanding Americorps Service Award 

Joni Morris (Fairmont)
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Joni Liston-Morris of Fairmont, WV has completed an extraordinary four terms of AmeriCorps service, including three terms right here in West Virginia with Preserve WV and the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia. Over the course of her service, she has dedicated an incredible 4,173 hours to AmeriCorps, with 3,850 of those hours spent serving the people, history, and communities of West Virginia.
 
Joni began her Preserve WV AmeriCorps journey in 2022 at the West Virginia and Regional History Center, where she worked diligently to catalog portions of Dr. Emory Kemp’s personal collection and reorganize the Institute for the History of Technology and Industrial Archaeology collection at West Virginia University. Through her careful archival work, she helped preserve invaluable pieces of West Virginia history for future generations of researchers, students, and preservationists.
 
In 2023, while serving with the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, Joni launched what would become one of the most meaningful initiatives of her service: the West Virginia Cemetery Preservation Project. Through this work, Joni secured funding for 20 cemetery preservation workshops held across the state, reaching more than 325 participants. She personally developed the educational materials, led the workshops, and created evaluation tools to ensure participants gained meaningful hands-on knowledge. What makes this achievement especially remarkable is that cemetery preservation is about far more than stones and landscapes. It is about honoring memory, protecting cultural heritage, and ensuring that the stories of our communities are not forgotten. Joni understood that deeply, and her work reflected it every step of the way.
 
Her commitment to service also extended beyond preservation. During her 2023 AmeriCorps term, Joni organized a civic service project to assist flood victims in Hindman, collecting more than $1,000 in donated supplies. She and her husband, Allen, then traveled to Kentucky to volunteer in person, helping distribute donations and assisting a family as they cleaned out their 125-year-old home after devastating flooding. 

Preservation Hero Award

Zachary Salman (Berkeley Springs)
PicturePAWV Board President Cade Vogelsong (left) pictured with Zachary Salman (right) at the banquet.
​Zachary Salman is being recognized for his passion for preservation, which began at a remarkably young age and has continued to grow into a lifelong commitment to protecting the history and character of his hometown. Zachary’s story is one rooted deeply in community. Raised in Berkeley Springs, he grew up surrounded by the arts, architecture, and history that make Morgan County such a special place. As a young student attending programs at the Morgan Arts Council Ice House, he developed not only creative talents, but also a strong sense of stewardship for the historic places around him.
 
Even as a teenager, Zachary stood out. At just 14 years old, he was recognized by Google as their top mapping contributor for the many corrections and improvements he made to online maps — including countless updates benefiting Morgan County. The following year, at age 15, he was named Volunteer of the Year by the Morgan County Chamber of Commerce because of the economic impact those efforts had on the community. But Zachary’s interest was never simply about maps. It was about place. It was about understanding the buildings, streets, and stories that shape a community’s identity.
 
Over the years, local historians including Jeanne Mozier, Betty Lou Harmison, and Barbara Norton shared their knowledge and archival materials with him, helping inspire projects that brought preservation awareness to the public in innovative ways. Zachary created an interactive architectural history map, preservation-focused media projects, educational materials, and social media outreach documenting both the beauty of the Town of Bath and the historic structures that have been lost over time. You can view the video "Berkeley Springs - Then and Now" that Zachary created on YouTube.
 
From 2020 to 2025, Zachary served on the Town of Bath Historic Landmark Commission, where he worked tirelessly on preservation advocacy, deed research, design review initiatives, demolition ordinances, and educational outreach. He has generously advised countless property owners on caring for their historic buildings — always offering his expertise freely and with genuine enthusiasm.
 
Today, Zachary continues this work professionally through the New York State Historic Preservation Office, while still giving back to the community that shaped him. 


Stewardship Award

Bill Grantham (Middleway)
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​Bill Grantham’s lifelong dedication to preservation, stewardship, and community service has helped protect an important piece of West Virginia history. As a seventh-generation farmer and lifelong resident of Middleway, Bill Grantham has spent decades caring not only for the land, but for the historic places and stories that define his community. Inspired from a young age by his family’s appreciation for preservation, Bill became a dedicated caretaker of some of Middleway’s most treasured landmarks, including Grace Episcopal Church, Union Church, and their historic cemeteries.
 
The historic Union Church (pictured here) is the oldest surviving church building in Middleway – founded in the 1700s — has stood through generations of change, serving as a place of worship, a Civil War infirmary, and a gathering place for the community. Thanks in large part to Bill’s leadership and persistence, the building has been carefully restored and preserved for future generations.
 
When vandalism damaged the church grounds and historic grave markers, Bill immediately stepped forward to organize repairs and restoration efforts, always emphasizing the importance of maintaining the historic integrity of the site. He later helped bring cemetery preservation training to the community and personally worked to restore dozens of historic headstones alongside fellow volunteers.
Bill’s stewardship also extends to honoring those whose names have been lost to time. After learning that unmarked graves likely existed near the church, he led efforts to conduct ground-penetrating radar surveys that identified dozens of previously unknown burial sites. Through his leadership, a memorial marker was placed to respectfully honor those buried there.
 
What makes Bill especially deserving of this award is not only the work itself, but the humility and generosity with which he approaches it. He quietly offers his time, knowledge, labor, and encouragement whenever preservation projects arise in the community. Whether maintaining historic cemeteries, supporting restoration work, or helping local organizations find solutions and resources, Bill has become a trusted steward of Middleway’s history.


Adaptive Reuse Award

The Interwoven Mill Project, Legend Property Group (Martinsburg)
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​The rehabilitation of the Interwoven Mill Complex in Martinsburg stands as one of the most catalytic historic preservation projects in West Virginia today. Originally constructed in the late 1800s, Interwoven Mills was once home to one of the largest hosiery manufacturers in the world and served for decades as Martinsburg’s largest employer. For generations, this complex represented the economic heartbeat of the community.
 
Today, thanks to the power of historic tax credits and an extraordinary redevelopment vision, these buildings have been given new life. More than 200,000 square feet of long-vacant industrial space has already been adaptively reused into 191 residential apartments, all of which filled shortly after opening. Additional housing units will be available soon, and the entire project, which includes community gathering spaces, a fitness center, pool, coworking areas, and future commercial spaces, will be completed in 2027. This project will ultimately bring hundreds of new residents and opportunities back into the heart of the city.
 
PAWV toured the complex during the early days of the project. Walking through those vacant industrial spaces, you could begin to see the vision — but more importantly, you could see how historic tax credits could completely reshape a community’s future. Projects like Interwoven helped change people’s perception of what historic tax credits can accomplish and demonstrated why West Virginia’s 25% state historic tax credit is so important and deserving of permanent support.
 
These projects do not happen without advocacy, partnerships, and persistence. As Mayor Kevin Blair said, “These projects are impossible without advocacy.” It takes developers willing to invest, community leaders willing to champion a vision, public officials willing to support preservation tools, and residents willing to believe in the future of their downtowns. Interwoven Mills reminds us that historic preservation is not just about saving buildings — it is about creating places where people can live, work, gather, and build community.

Historic Tax Credit Award (Town)

Stephenson Apartments, Mark Letenzi (Charles Town)
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This award honors the impact of one person tackling an extensive rehabilitation of a long-abandoned building in a smaller community. PAWV was fortunate to tour during the early construction phase and is excited to recognize this shining example of what is possible when the historic rehabilitation tax credit is used creatively by a visionary like Mark Letenzi. For two decades, the former Stephenson Female Seminary and Charles Town Inn stood vacant. Now, it has a renewed purpose as 9 luxury apartments.
 
Reflecting on the building’s powerful history - in the post-Civil War era, institutions like the Stephenson Seminary expanded educational opportunities for women—a significant and often overlooked chapter of our past. Mark’s decision to honor that history through the building’s thoughtful restoration and renaming demonstrates deep respect for its legacy and architectural beauty. His work ensures that this Greek Revival gem continues to serve Charles Town residents as it once did—full of purpose and dignity. Historic buildings are not easy to rehabilitate—they require care, investment, and patience. But they are also irreplaceable: they are full of character, meaning, and stories. The state and federal historic tax credits are not just incentives—they are catalysts for community impact. This project also earned an Honorable Mention from the NOVOGRADAC Journal of Tax Credits in 2024 for Residential Development that Best Exemplifies Major Community Impact. 

historic Tax Credit Award (City)

The Prichard Hotel, Cornerstone Community Development (Huntington)
​The rehabilitation of the Prichard Hotel is more than a construction success story — it is a powerful example of how historic preservation can change lives and strengthen communities. What once stood as a vacant landmark in downtown Huntington has now been reborn as safe, affordable housing for seniors, while preserving an important piece of the city’s history for future generations.
 
The Prichard Hotel was originally built in 1926 and was an iconic 300 room hotel until it closed in 1970. In 1970, the Property was converted to provide office space and apartments and ultimately fell into disrepair. In 2014, the Property was repurposed as a drug rehabilitation center but was forced to closed in 2015 and has been vacant since that time. This extraordinary project began nearly ten years ago as an idea shared by dedicated community leaders and partners who believed this historic building could serve a greater purpose once again. Today, that vision has become reality. With a total investment of more than $50 million, this project created over 500 local jobs and has become the largest historic tax credit project ever completed in West Virginia.
 
Projects of this scale simply do not happen without strong community partnerships. The success of the Prichard is the result of collaboration of more than 20 partners (identified below), the Prichard now offers 108 apartment homes for residents age 62 and older. Just as importantly, this project provides wraparound services, healthcare resources, and commercial spaces designed to support seniors and improve quality of life. To successfully age in place, residents will receive supportive services such as in-home care assistance to help with Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL’s). The on-site housing Service Coordinator will partner with ACGI and other agencies such as the WVSU Metro Area Agency on Aging, the WV Aging and Disability Resource Network, and other local providers to assess, link and deliver services to residents. Other supportive services may include transportation, meals, mental health services, Telehealth Programs, benefits counseling and employment opportunities.
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Rodney Collins Preservation Achievement Award

Meredith Kiger (Preston County)
Meredith Kiger, and her late husband Vaughn, were recognized for two projects. The first is the careful restoration and maintenance of the historic law office of Waitman T. Willey (West Virginia’s first Senator) in downtown Morgantown. Constructed in 1865, the building stands as a lasting symbol of West Virginia statehood and the leadership that shaped our state during one of the most pivotal moments in its history. Currently, it is used as a pop-up antique shoppe, La Dolce Vintage. This commitment to preservation helps us to maintain connections to the people, traditions, and stories that define West Virginia while also creating new opportunities for businesses, residents, and more.
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Meredith’s commitment to preservation also extends to the stewardship of the A. W. Gribble Farm, also known as Deerwood Farm a rare and beautifully preserved mid-19th-century agricultural complex in rural Preston County. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the farm is recognized for its distinctive Pennsylvania German architectural influences and remarkable integrity. Under Meredith’s care, the historic sandstone farmhouse, springhouse, pantry, barn, and surrounding landscape have been thoughtfully preserved while maintaining the character and craftsmanship that make the property so significant. Through her stewardship, Meredith has ensured that future generations will continue to experience and learn from these irreplaceable landmarks.

Michael Gioulis Downtown Preservation AwarD

Partner Community Capital (Charles Town)
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​Partner Community Capital (PCAP) is being recognized for its extraordinary commitment to downtown redevelopment, economic revitalization, and historic preservation across West Virginia. Through innovative financing, strategic partnerships, and a long-term belief in the power of community investment, PCAP has played a transformative role in helping preserve and redevelop some of the state’s most important historic properties. Time and again, PCAP has stepped forward to help make these projects possible. Their impact can be seen in major redevelopment efforts across the state, including projects such as the Prichard in Huntington and the Interwoven Mill redevelopment in Martinsburg. Through community development financing and technical support, PCAP has helped turn long-vacant historic landmarks into vibrant spaces where people can once again live, work, gather, and invest in their communities.
 
Beyond individual projects, PCAP has become a statewide leader in community development through initiatives focused on economic resilience, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. Through the Downtown Appalachia Redevelopment Initiative, in partnership with the Brownfields Assistance Center at West Virginia University, PCAP provides loans and technical assistance to transform vacant and underutilized properties into housing and business hubs.
 
Their work also supports renewable energy and sustainability projects, including clean energy businesses and initiatives such as the Bionic Tire Recycling facility in Preston County. Through the Recreational Economies Initiative, PCAP invests in tourism-related small businesses near trails, parks, and rivers, including projects like the Glen Ferris Inn redevelopment in Fayette County. Additional programs such as the Value Chain Cluster Initiative strengthen West Virginia’s local food systems and agricultural economy.
 
As a Small Business Administration Microloan lender in West Virginia, PCAP also supports entrepreneurs and small businesses that may not fit traditional lending models. Through its Women’s Business Center, the organization provides business counseling, consulting, workshops, networking opportunities, and guidance for accessing capital and financial resources.
 
Among PCAP’s most notable recent projects is the redevelopment of the historic Tygart Hotel in Elkins (pictured above). In 2022, PCAP closed its largest loan to date and its first New Markets Tax Credit leveraged loan — providing $2.2 million in construction financing as part of a $16 million redevelopment package. The project transformed the long-vacant six-story historic hotel into a boutique hotel and restaurant expected to create approximately 150 construction jobs and 55 permanent jobs while supporting tourism connected to the Monongahela National Forest and surrounding recreation areas.
 
These projects are doing far more than restoring buildings. They are creating jobs, increasing housing opportunities, generating new economic activity, and reshaping how people view the future of West Virginia’s downtowns and historic communities. They also demonstrate the important role that historic tax credits, community development financing, and preservation-focused investment can play in strengthening local economies while protecting the state’s heritage. The organization’s leadership, including President and CEO Martin Jenkins and Board Chair Gat Caperton, continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to preservation-driven redevelopment and community investment throughout the Mountain State.


Dr. Emory Kemp Lifetime Achievement AwarD

Martin Burke (Jefferson County)
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​This award was given posthumously to honor the life and legacy of a remarkable preservation leader, mentor, and public servant - Martin Burke. For decades, Martin Burke dedicated his life to protecting the places, landscapes, and stories that define our shared history. Through his leadership, expertise, and quiet determination, he helped shape preservation efforts not only in Jefferson County, but across the broader preservation community.
 
From 2009 through 2025, Martin served on the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission, including more than a decade as chair. During that time, he guided important preservation victories that safeguarded irreplaceable historic resources, including the River Road Cement Mill and Kilns, the Osborn Farm and Shepherdstown Battlefield landscape, and Duffield’s Train Depot (pictured above), recognized as the oldest extant passenger train station in the United States.
 
Martin’s impact was strengthened by extraordinary professional expertise. Following his service in the United States Navy Reserve during the Vietnam era, he built a distinguished career in conservation and preservation. He served at the Smithsonian Institution conservation laboratory for 17 years before leading the conservation program at the National Park Service Harpers Ferry Center until his retirement. His influence extended nationally through his work with the American Institute for Conservation, where he served in several leadership roles, including president.
 
But perhaps Martin’s greatest legacy was his ability to bring people together in service of preservation. Whether conserving landscapes through the Land Trust of the Eastern Panhandle or strengthening community institutions like the Contemporary American Theater Festival, Martin understood that preservation is ultimately about people, place, and shared stewardship. His work leaves a lasting imprint on Jefferson County and on all who had the privilege to work alongside him. Through his vision and dedication, future generations will continue to experience and learn from the historic places he helped protect.


Betty “Snookie” Nutting Preservation Persistence Awards

Each year, the Alliance presents two Preservation Persistence Awards to recognize individuals and organizations demonstrating extraordinary dedication to historic preservation. This year, the award is named in honor of Betty "Snookie" Woods Nutting of Wheeling, a trailblazer in the field whose tireless efforts have left a lasting impact. Snookie served as President of PAWV, was named a Distinguished West Virginian, advised the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and received the Dr. Emory Kemp Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. She was instrumental in saving 22 buildings in Wheeling, including properties on Monroe Street East, Chapline Street Row, and in Victorian North Wheeling, as well as contributing to the restoration of the iconic Wheeling Suspension Bridge. She established a legacy of persistence, dedication, and achievement that serves as a model for today’s preservationists.
The Town of Romney for the State Barn (Romney)
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​The Town of Romney and local community advocates were recognized for their ongoing efforts to save and restore the historic Dairy Barn at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. The award honors the extraordinary determination, advocacy, and community commitment demonstrated through the “Save the State Barn” initiative — a grassroots effort dedicated to preserving one of Romney’s most significant historic agricultural landmarks.
 
Built in 1929, the Dairy Barn played an important role in the history of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. The school farm once supplied much of the food needed by the institution while also serving as a hands-on educational facility where students learned animal husbandry, gardening, and advanced agricultural practices.
 
Facing uncertainty and potential loss, community members rallied together to raise awareness about the barn’s historical and cultural significance. Through public outreach, preservation advocacy, and collaborative efforts, supporters helped secure a major milestone when the Dairy Barn was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. 

The Preservation Persistence Award recognizes not only the importance of the structure itself, but also the dedication of the people who refused to let an important part of Romney’s history disappear. The “Save the State Barn” initiative continues to focus on long-term stabilization, restoration, and future use planning for the historic structure. 


Morgan Arts Council for the MAC Ice House
​(Berkeley Springs)

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​This award goes to the amazing venue for the banquet - the Morgan Arts Council - for the extraordinary adaptive reuse of the historic MAC Ice House Community Art Center and Gallery. Nearly 30 years ago, a group of visionary community leaders saw possibility where others saw an aging industrial warehouse. In 1996, the Morgan Arts Council acquired the former Morgan County Cold Storage Company warehouse — a massive four-story structure that once stored millions of apples and served as a reminder of Berkeley Springs’ industrial past. Led by the vision of Jeanne Mozier, the dream was simple but ambitious: transform the building into “The Ice House: A Cool Place for Hot Art.”
 
What followed was not a quick renovation, but decades of persistence, creativity, and determination. Through leaking roofs, major structural issues, fundraising challenges, and complex rehabilitation projects, the Morgan Arts Council never gave up on the vision. Volunteers, artists, architects, donors, contractors, and community members all came together to save and reinvent this landmark building.
 
Today, the Ice House stands not only as a preserved historic structure within the Town of Bath National Historic District, but as the heart of a thriving arts community. It is a gallery, performance venue, classroom, gathering space, and creative home for countless artists and residents. Since its founding, MAC has produced more than a thousand programs featuring nearly 2,500 artists and serving tens of thousands of people across the region.

This project represents exactly what preservation persistence means. It demonstrates how historic buildings can be converted through patience, long-term vision, and unwavering community commitment. The continued evolution of the Ice House — from structural stabilization to ADA accessibility, fire suppression systems, and future performance spaces — shows that preservation is not a single accomplishment, but an ongoing act of stewardship.

Celebrating Wheeling’s Historic Places:Preservationists Gather for2025 Conference

7/7/2025

 
This year’s conference brought together preservationists, advocates, students, and skilled tradespeople from across the State. With 164 attendees, jam-packed sessions and lively social events, the three-day event delivered both substance and spirit.

The conference kicked off Thursday at the Wheeling Artisan Center with an opening reception and student showcase featuring work from Belmont College’s Building Preservation and Restoration Program. Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder welcomed everyone and set the tone for a weekend of collaboration, craft, and community. Later that night, the Limeburn social at the historic Kraft House on Wheeling Island gave attendees a chance to unwind. PAWV Board Member Jon Smith brought the evening to life with firelight, hands-on history, and great stories. No surprise it was voted the weekend’s “most fun” event!
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​Hands-on Learn & High Impact Ideas
Top-rated sessions included using historic tax
credits, flood adaptation, assessing and
restoring residential properties, business
basics for new preservation contractors and a
stucco restoration workshop. These sessions
were described as essential, engaging, and
empowering, mixing actionable knowledge
with community focus.

Pictured left: Limeburn at historic Kraft House.
​Banquet & Keynote Address
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Dr. Matt Wagner of Main Street America (pictured above), drawing on his private sector insight, inspired Awards Banquet attendees with stories and examples that showed how big ideas about place-based revitalization and creative thinking can spark real change right here in West Virginia, leaving the audience energized and ready to make a difference.
​Tours, Awards & Community Moments
Tickets for the tours and Awards Banquet sold out before registration even closed! Attendees explored Wheeling’s historic districts and Mt. Wood Cemetery, along with fan favorites like the Grave Creek Mound and Cockayne Farmstead in Marshall County. Oglebay Resort’s Glessner Auditorium provided the perfect setting for the Awards Banquet, which was a heartfelt celebration of leaders like Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, Jeanne Finstein of Wheeling and many others whose work continues to shape preservation across our state.
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2025 west virginia historic preservation awards recipients

5/5/2025

 
The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, the statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the state’s historic places and properties, announced the recipients of the 2025 West Virginia Historic Preservation Awards at its annual awards banquet on Friday, May 2, at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia.  These awards recognize outstanding contributions to historic preservation throughout the Mountain State. The banquet was part of the West Virginia Historic Preservation Conference held May 1 - 3, where preservation advocates gathered from throughout the state and region. Other activities included educational sessions, hands-on trades demonstrations, and tours of historic sites. The conference welcomed speakers from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Main Street America, and others.
 
2025 West Virginia Historic Preservation Award Recipients {Detailed recipient bios and project details included below.}

  • Adaptive Reuse Award – Bluefield Arts & Revitalization Corporation, for the Granada Theater & the Raleigh Street Cinemas and Education Center (Bluefield)
  • Most Significant Save of an Endangered Property Award – Jason Bradcovich & Larry Brothers, for the Kraft House (Wheeling)
  • Excellent AmeriCorps Award – Sharon David (Wheeling)
  • Archaeology Award – Robert Sheets, Fort Warwick Project (Pocahontas County)
  • Betty “Snookie” Nutting Preservation Persistence Award – Middleway Conservancy & Protect Middleway (Jefferson County)
  • Betty “Snookie” Nutting Preservation Persistence Award – Lisa Badia (Wheeling)
  • Michael Gioulis Downtown Preservation Award – Chris Rizer (Point Pleasant)
  • Bob Weir Craftsperson Award – Roger Edwards (Wheeling)
  • Rodney Collins Preservation Achievement Award – Senator Ryan Weld (Wellsburg)
  • Dr. Emory Kemp Lifetime Achievement Award – Jeanne Finstein (Wheeling)

Each year, the Alliance presents two Preservation Persistence Awards to recognize individuals and organizations demonstrating extraordinary dedication to historic preservation. This year, the award was renamed in honor of Betty "Snookie" Woods Nutting of Wheeling, a trailblazer in the field whose tireless efforts have left a lasting impact. Snookie served as President of PAWV, was named a Distinguished West Virginian, advised the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and received the Dr. Emory Kemp Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. She was instrumental in saving 22 buildings in Wheeling, including properties on Monroe Street East, Chapline Street Row, and in Victorian North Wheeling, as well as contributing to the restoration of the iconic Wheeling Suspension Bridge. She established a legacy of persistence, dedication, and achievement that serves as a model for today’s preservationists, Mrs. Nutting was with us at this year’s awards banquet.

Read more...

PAWV Introduces preservation spotlight series

2/21/2022

 
West Virginians are invited to celebrate their historic preservation success stories through the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia’s new West Virginia Preservation Spotlight series. ​
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Submitting a Preservation Spotlight story helps shine a light on the small preservation successes that can add up to significant positive change in a community. Whether it’s a homeowner restoring a historic feature of their house or a business moving into a building on historic Main Street, PAWV wants to hear about preservation “wins” both big and small.

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Spotlight stories should involve a West Virginia property listed on the National Register of Historic Places or as a contributing structure to a National Historic District. If you believe your story is relevant despite not meeting this specification (perhaps an event or advocacy success), please email to check with a member of our staff at [email protected]. 

Submitted Preservation Spotlight stories may be featured on PAWV’s website and social media channels to celebrate the positive steps everyday West Virginians are making towards historic preservation in their communities. PAWV is accepting submissions through a Google form here.

A Word document submission form is available for download below.
Download Submission Form

Preservation Alliance of West Virginia Announces “Saving Historical Places Grant” Recipients

3/3/2021

 
Wyoming Hotel, Mullens (Wyoming County)
Wyoming Hotel, Mullens (Wyoming County)
Pence Hotel, Bramwell (Mercer County), WV
Pence Hotel, Bramwell (Mercer County)
The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia announced that the Pence Hotel, in Mercer County, and the Wyoming Hotel, in Wyoming County, are this year’s first recipients of its Saving Historical Places Grants. The program is the Alliance’s initiative to save historical places in the Mountain State by funding emergency stabilization work and jump-starting building preservation projects with pre-development funds. 
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 The Pence Hotel, a contributing structure to the Bramwell Historic District and independently listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of the first buildings visitors see when entering Bramwell. It will receive Saving Historical Places Grant funds for much needed emergency stabilization work including wall stabilization; the first of four planned phases to restore the building. “Once restored, the hotel will host a Company Store on the ground level, and provide an economic boost to the town and region” explained Gene Buckner, President of the Mercer County Commission.

The second structure to receive assistance from the Saving Historical Places Grant is the Wyoming Hotel in Mullens, built in 1918 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Funds will be used by nonprofit organization Peacework Development Fund to save the building from imminent danger of collapse by removing a fire escape. Future redevelopment plans for the hotel building are mixed-use for commercial/residential purposes to cater to outdoor recreation tourists and serve as a nod to the building’s history. “The Wyoming Hotel was a source of community pride and community history. Through the years many people stayed in the hotel, including JFK running for president in 1960, Franklin Roosevelt, Jr., rumors of Babe Ruth to everyday people coming to Mullens for work or to attend ball games or participate in horse shows. Saving it would again lift community spirits and potentially be a centerpiece for rural economic redevelopment,” said Samuel E. Webster, the owner of the building. 

“The Saving Historical Places Grant funds are being used to save these buildings from collapse. We are delighted to be able to help save these important historical resources that tell the story of our coal heritage, and we are excited that there are active community efforts to rehabilitate these buildings. However, we know that there is a long road ahead for these buildings to be fully functioning as we hope. We urge anyone who is interested in saving these buildings to consider donating to these projects as well,” said Danielle Parker, Executive Director of the Alliance.

The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia is the statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to historic preservation. The Alliance continues to fundraise for its Saving Historical Places Grant program and is accepting donations for this program. Donations of $500 or more may be eligible for Neighborhood Investment Program tax credits. Donate here! For more information,  call 304-345-6005.

2017 HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD RECIPIENTS HONORED

10/5/2017

 
​The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia honored historic preservation award recipients on Saturday, September 30th, during its 9th annual awards banquet.  The event was held at the Municipal Auditorium in Charleston and featured keynote speaker, Patrick Seymour, of the Theatre Historical Society of America.  Delegate Larry Rowe was the Master of Ceremonies, and Mr. Brooks McCabe was a special guest speaker discussing the importance of advocating for the state and federal historic tax credits.  It was a wonderful evening enjoyed by all.  

For those unable to attend, we have put together a series of videos recognizing each of the award recipients.  Scroll down to view the videos.

Thank you to the award recipients for their tireless efforts in preserving our Mountain State's heritage!  Keep up the great work!

Mt. Wood Cemetery - 2017 Stewardship Award
​The 2017 Stewardship Award is the Mt. Wood Cemetery. Wheeling National Heritage Area, under the leadership of Rebekah Karelis, leads the preservation of this important site.  

​Staats Building - ​2017 Preservation Persistence Award
​Crawford Holdings, Inc. is the recipient of one of the 2017 Preservation Persistence Awards for the rehabilitation and reuse of the Staats Building on the West Side of Charleston, West Virginia.

​Friends of Old Stone Cemetery - ​2017 Preservation Persistence Award
​The Friends of Old Stone Cemetery in Lewisburg (Greenbrier County), West Virginia, received the Preservation Persistence Award.

Create Buckhannon - ​2017 Community Preservation Award Recipient
Create Buckhannon (Upshur County) is a community development organization in West Virginia. The organization received the 2017 Community Preservation Award for its efforts in revitalizing downtown Buckhannon. Projects include the purchase and rehabilitation of the Colonial Theatre, community festival planning, and much more.
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Learn more at http://www.createbuckhannon.com/

Rick Steelhammer - 2017 West Virginia Media Award
​Rick Steelhammer, staff writer for the Charleston Gazette-Mail, is the recipient of the 2017 West Virginia Media Award for his excellent coverage of historic preservation-related issues.

John Henry Historical Park - 2017 Heritage Tourism Award
​The John Henry Historical Park Steering Committee received the 2017 Heritage Tourism Award because the organization created a new tourist destination in Summers County, West Virginia. By doing so, the steering committee preserved the history of John Henry, the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, and Talcott for future generations. The John Henry Historical Park Steering Committee like the park is a symbol of hard work, strength, love, dedication, and persistence.  

The Woda Group - 2017 Best Use of Historic Tax Credits Award
The Woda Group is the recipient of the 2017 Best Use of Historic Tax Credit Award for the rehabilitation of the Boury Warehouse (now the Boury Lofts) in Wheeling, West Virginia. This project has contributed to the rebirth of Wheeling’s Central Business District and dramatically improved the skyline of Wheeling, as well as fostered an interest in the continuing revitalization of other historic buildings in the downtown. The architect for this project was Vic Greco of Mills Group.

Crawford Holdings, Inc. - 2017 Downtown Preservation Award
​Crawford Holdings, Inc. is the recipient of the 2017 Downtown Preservation Award for the company's efforts in rehabilitating and preserving numerous buildings in the Elk City district of Charleston's West Side.

Paul Marshall - 2017 Rodney Collins Preservation Achievement Award
The 2017 Rodney Collins Preservation Achievement Award recipient is Paul Marshall for his work as an architect in West Virginia.

Dr. Ronald Ripley - 2017 Dr. Emory Kemp Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Ronald Ripley of Monroe County has been recognized for his life-long dedication to preserving the heritage of Monroe County through the Monroe County Historical Society. He is the recipient of the 2017 Dr. Emory Kemp Lifetime Achievement Award.

​Learn more about Monroe County, West Virginia's history at http://monroewvhistory.org/

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR AASLH LEADERSHIP IN HISTORY AWARDS

1/27/2017

 
Has your museum recently created an exhibit, publication, program, or project with an innovative approach to interpreting our state’s history? If the answer is “YES,” then you should consider nominating your organization for an American Association of State and Local History (AASLH) Leadership in History Award.
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Each year, AASLH bestows the Leadership in History Awards in recognition of excellence in the field of state and local history. By publicly recognizing exceptional and meritorious achievements in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of local history, the Leadership in History Awards serve as an inspiration to others in the field, as well as bring national-level recognition to your project, your organization, and your state.

AASLH recognizes excellence in the following areas:
-Civic Engagement
-Special Projects
-Educational Programs
-Exhibits
-Publications
-Individual Achievement

Applicants can self-nominate or nominate another project. Organizations of all sizes are encouraged to apply.

Deadline for nominations is March 1, 2017. Nominations can take some time to put together, so start your nomination at least 3-4 weeks before the deadline.

If you are interested in submitting an award nomination or have questions about the program, please contact Nathan Jones, the AASLH State Team Leader for West Virginia, at najones12@gmail.com.  Additional information about AASLH’s award program can be found at: http://www.aaslh.org/aaslh_awards.htm

8TH ANNUAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

9/23/2016

 
​The Preservation Alliance of WV honored preservationists from across the state during the 8th Annual Historic Preservation Awards Banquet held at Halliehurst Mansion in Elkins on Friday, September 23, 2016.  This year’s event is part of the statewide historic preservation conference “This Place Matters” being held in Beverly and Elkins.  “Historic preservation award recipients are nominated by local community residents and selected through a competitive application process.  The winners are some of the most notable historic preservation projects in the state for 2016,” explained Danielle LaPresta, Executive Director for the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia.

The 2016 Historic Preservation Award Winners are:

Landscape Preservation Award – Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation for the preservation of Rich Mountain Battlefield in Randolph County.

Downtown Preservation Award – MountainPlex Properties for undertaking multiple historic preservation and re-use projects in historic Hinton, including the Ritz Theatre and the McCreery Hotel.

Cultural Preservation Award – Davis and Elkins College for its development of the Center for Railway Tourism and the preservation of multiple historic buildings on campus, including Halliehurst Mansion and Graceland Inn and Conference Center.

Rodney Collins Preservation Achievement Award – Toni Ogden of Lewisburg for her efforts in preserving historic cemeteries.

Preservation Achievement Award – Main Street Ripley for the Alpine Theatre restoration project.
Dr. Emory Kemp Lifetime Achievement Award – Randy Allan of Beverly for his dedication to preserving historic landmarks in Beverly.

For the second year in a row, the Alliance featured two award categories, which also include cash awards to be used for specific preservation projects.  The Preservation Persistence Award was awarded to two separate property stewards that are working diligently to preserve properties on the WV Endangered Properties List.  The Stewardship Award was given to one property steward for exemplifying best preservation practices.  These awards were presented to:

Preservation Persistence Award – Blue Sulphur Springs Pavilion, Greenbrier Historical Society

Preservation Persistence Award – McCoy Fort Project, Williamsburg District Historical Foundation

Stewardship Award – Monroe County Historical Society

“We are fortunate to have so many wonderful individuals and organizations dedicated to preserving and rehabilitating West Virginia’s historic resources,” stated Preservation Alliance of West Virginia board president Sandra Scaffidi. “This evening was our way of recognizing the efforts of our unsung heroes who are making a difference in revitalizing our great state.”

The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia is the statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to historic preservation.  It is best known for administering the Preserve WV AmeriCorps program and for the annual West Virginia Endangered Properties program.  For more information, visit www.pawv.org.

NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2017 HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS ARE BEING ACCEPTED

3/20/2016

 
Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV) is accepting nominations for the 2017 West Virginia Historic Preservation Awards.

The 9th Annual Historic Preservation Awards Banquet will be on Saturday, September 30, 2017, at the Municipal Auditorium in Charleston.

Download the PAWV Awards Nomination Form 2017 Here!

Guidelines:
  • All nominations are due July 31, 2017 (Monday).
  • Submit completed nomination form via email to [email protected].
  • Submit at least 3 photos – larger than 1 MB in size – of the project nomination with your nomination form.
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.
​      
Download the PAWV Awards Nomination Form 2017 Here!   

PAWV RECEIVES GRANT FOR A REVOLVING FUND FEASIBILITY STUDY

3/2/2016

 
By Danielle LaPresta Parker

​This week, the Preservation Alliance of WV received a $15,000 grant from the 1772 Foundation to conduct a revolving fund feasibility study.  The 1772 Foundation, based in Newport, RI, is a national leader in the field of historic properties redevelopment programs. Many non-profit historic preservation organizations establish historic property redevelopment revolving funds to receive donations and other capital, which are used by the organization to either make loans for building renovations or purchase endangered properties that are then resold with easements.  The organization earns either loan repayments or property sales to replenish the revolving fund and continue to redevelop properties across the state. The feasibility study is the first step in the process of developing a historic properties redevelopment program and will help to determine what kind of program will be most effective in West Virginia. “We are thrilled at having this opportunity to start a fresh program in the Mountain State focusing on developing existing cultural assets and are very thankful for the 1772 Foundation’s grant to us,” explained Executive Director Danielle LaPresta Parker.

According to the 1772 Foundation, Executive Director Mary Anthony, “Historic properties redevelopment programs, sometimes known as revolving funds, greatly increase the number of historic buildings we can save and put back into use by the community. Unlike more reactive, traditional preservation models, they are proactive and robust; they move at the speed of the market, using the same tools and financing as for-profit developers. The 1772 Foundation awards grants for real estate education, fellowships, feasibility studies, and business plans in addition to increasing the capacity of existing programs through grants and loans to help grow this increasingly important sector of the historic preservation field.”

Danforth Ely, president of The 1772 Foundation, noted, “We have been promoting the relationship between historic properties redevelopment programs and economic development for many years. I am happy to note that almost half of this year’s grant recipients are receiving 1772 funding for the first time.”

Other grant recipients were the Newport County Development Council ($15,0000, Preserve Rhode Island ($30,000), the Providence Revolving Fund ($75,000), Cincinnati Preservation Association ($15,000); Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation ($37,500); Fairmount Park Conservancy in Philadelphia, PA ($30,000); Germantown United Community Development Corporation also in Philadelphia ($50,000); Heritage Works in Dubuque, IA ($25,000); Historic Columbia Foundation ($15,000); Landmarks Illinois ($15,000); Louisiana Preservation Alliance ($75,000); Maine Preservation ($60,000); Michigan Historic Preservation Network ($75,000); Montana Preservation Alliance ($50,000); National Main Street Center in Chicago, IL ($135,000 – two projects), National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, DC ($225,000 – three projects); Preservation Alliance of New Orleans ($50,000); Preservation Maryland ($20,000); Preservation Massachusetts ($37,500); Restore Mobile ($25,000); The L’Enfant Trust in Washington, DC ($100,000); and Waterfront Historic Area League (WHALE) in New Bedford, MA ($150,000).

​The 1772 Foundation was named in honor of its first restoration project, Liberty Hall in Union, NJ, which was built in 1772 and is the ancestral home of the Livingston and Kean families. The late Stewart B. Kean was the original benefactor of The 1772 Foundation. The 1772 Foundation works to ensure the safe passage of our historic buildings and farmland to future generations. More information about The 1772 Foundation may be found at www.1772foundation.org.

The Preservation Alliance of WV is the statewide nonprofit dedicated to historic preservation.  Started in 1982, the Preservation Alliance of WV promotes the re-use of cultural resources.  It administers the Preserve WV AmeriCorps program and the WV Endangered Properties List.
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