​The Preservation Alliance of WV, the statewide non-profit organization dedicated to historic preservation honored preservationists from across the state during the 7th Annual Historic Preservation Awards Banquet in downtown Grafton on September 19.  “Each year, the statewide banquet is held in a different historic venue in West Virginia, and Grafton was selected after a tremendous show of support for the location during a social media contest in 2014,” explained Danielle LaPresta Parker, executive director for the Alliance. This year’s banquet and dinner were held at the International Mother’s Day Shrine followed by a banquet dinner catered by Gibson Gourmet with keynote speaker, Nikki Bowman, of New South Media, Inc.

During the event, the Preservation Alliance Board of Directors President, Sandra Scaffidi, presented fourteen historic preservation awards along with three grant awards to preservation projects across the state.

See photos from the event at the online album HERE.

The 2015 Historic Preservation Award Winners are:

Archaeology Award – Jamie Vosvick for his commitment in volunteering to the preservation of the Cockayne Farmstead in Glen Dale.

Most Significant Save of an Endangered Site – Friends of Happy Retreat for the acquisition of Happy Retreat in Charles Town. It was listed as an Endangered Site in 2010.

Heritage Tourism Award – Dr. David Trowbride, professor at Marshall University, for the Clio, a smart phone application that connects people to historic places while traveling.

Best Use of Historic Tax Credits – GJR Enterprises for the advantageous use of Historic Tax Credits in the adaptive re-use of the Riley Law Building and the development of the Kaley Center in Wheeling.

Media Award – Liberty School Fine Arts program for the Helen Apartment Building Restoration video.

Landscape Preservation Award – City of Beckley for the Alfred Beckley Mill Project and preserving the landscape for future projects including a National Register Nomination and the development of a city park.

Downtown Preservation Award – International Mother’s Day Shrine for multiple preservation and adaptive re-use projects in downtown Grafton, including the Manos Theater and International Mother’s Day Shrine.

Community Preservation Award – Wheeling Young Preservationists for their role in preserving downtown Wheeling preservation projects including the annual lovescaping awareness campaign held in February, their efforts in preserving the Blue Church and Mt. Wood Cemetery, and preservation trades educational workshops presented to students of all ages.

Preservation Achievement (Person) – Susan Adkins, Executive Director of Carnegie Hall, for her commitment to developing cultural heritage tourism and preserving the historic theater in downtown Lewisburg.

Preservation Achievement (Building) – Adaland Mansion restoration project under the directorship of Dr. Ann Serafin.

Dr. Emory Kemp Lifetime Achievement Award – JoAnn Lough of Fairmont for her dedication to preserving Marion County history and presenting it through different educational forms to the public.

This year, the Alliance added two new award categories which also included cash awards to be used toward preservation projects. The cash awards were made possible because of an anonymous donor with strong beliefs in the value of historic preservation.

Preservation Persistence Award – Ella Belling, Elkins Coal and Coke Building in Masontown (2010 Endangered Properties List)

Preservation Persistence Award – Holt Barnitz, White House in Nicholas County (2015 Endangered Properties List)

Stewardship Award – Cockayne Farmstead in Glen Dale

Congratulations to this year’s historic preservation award winners.  Stay tuned for inside looks at each of these projects and learn more about why they received their awards.

During the awards banquet, successful preservation projects from all over the state will be recognized and will receive awards, including Grafton’s own International Mother’s Day Shrine for its efforts in preserving Grafton’s Downtown.  “We are very excited to have the banquet at the beautiful International Mother’s Day Shrine and for historic preservationists in Grafton to to show their stuff to a statewide audience,” explained Parker.

This year will be the first time the alliance hosts a live musical performance as part of the annual banquet, and they are bringing old-time musicians include West Virginia native, Jesse Milnes, Nate Druckenmiller, Ben Townsend, and Andy Fitzgibbon to the Manos Theater for a special benefit concert.  “Part of the proceeds from each banquet ticket will go to the International Mother’s Day Shrine, owner of the Manos Theater, and will be used toward preserving historic properties in downtown Grafton.”  Banquet tickets cost $60 per person or a table can be reserved for eight people at $500.  “You also have the option of attending the concert only, as tickets are limited for the banquet dinner,” explained Parker.  “Concert tickets cost $10 and all donations will be given to the Shrine.”  So if you are unable to attend the banquet ceremony, you can head over to the Manos Theater at 9:00 p.m. for the concert and purchase your ticket at the ticket booth.

Tickets can be purchased online, or you can contact Danielle LaPresta Parker at 304-345-6005 for more information on how to reserve a spot.  The Preservation Alliance of WV is the statewide nonprofit dedicated to historic preservation.  To learn more, visit www.pawv.org.

‘Snookie’s efforts haven’t been limited to houses. She also worked tirelessly with (the late) Beverly Fluty and others to have the Wheeling Suspension Bridge restored, and she took part in a long-running newspaper series, ‘Operation Look-Up,” which highlighted the unaltered upper stories of historic facades. In the midst of this work, she found time to serve on numerous historic preservation boards.’ Nutting has been  the West Virginia adviser to the National Trust for Historic Preservation for nine years, a member of the West Virginia Archives and History Commission for many years, the first president of Preservation Action from 1994-95 and a founding member of Friends of Wheeling in 1970. She has been a member of the board of directors of the Vandalia Heritage Foundation since 1990.

She has served as president of the Victorian Landmarks Foundation since 1990 and has been the driving force behind its Victorian Show-Off! tours in Wheeling.

Congratulations, Snookie.

​Preservation Alliance of West Virginia would like to share about our 2014 Historic Preservation Award winners. Next, we recognize Monica Miller for the Preservation Achievement Award.

Monica is the Manager of Local Capacity Development for the West Virginia Development Office where she provides funding and technical assistance to local organizations and units of government to enhance their capacity to serve their constituents and improve West Virginia communities.

In addition to the Main Street West Virginia Program which she has managed since 1994, she secured funding for and led the creation of the West Virginia ON TRAC Program. She also provides management to the following community development programs:  Neighborhood Investment Program, Growing Healthy Communities, Appalachian Regional Commission and Flex E Grant.

She has provided Main Street consulting services to the states of Delaware, Arkansas, Maryland and New Hampshire.  Prior to her work in the Development Office she served as the Administrator of Programming Services and Sales for West Virginia State Parks.

Monica has served in many capacities with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, most recently as Chair of the Board of Advisors, member of the Board of Trustees and vice chair of the Community Revitalization Committee.  She served as the first Chair of the National Main Street Coordinating programs.  She currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Advisory Board of the WV SBDC, is a volunteer with the WV Land Trust, and served multiple terms on the Vestry of St Mark’s Episcopal Church.  A graduate of West Virginia University and the Economic Development Institute through the University of Oklahoma, Monica has been certified by the National Development Council as an Economic Development Finance Professional.

Congratulations, Monica.

Stephen and Kim McBride have given so much of themselves to the Archaeology of West Virginia. The Fort Project has inspired an entire generation – if you ponder this in the context of all the school children they have reached, it is a true statement of fact.  While much of their work has been grant-funded, but it does not come close to covering all project costs.  They also frequently contribute their services to the cause.  This deserves a statewide public recognition. The dynamic duo husband and wife team from West Virginia, have done so much promote archaeology in West Virginia – through both research and public outreach.  Entire schools have been exposed to archaeology as a result of their efforts.
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​From hands-on history at Fort Warwick to student digs at Fort McCoy to publishing “Frontier Forts in West Virginia,” they are active in their field. They have conducted the only long range research project in WV, have published on their results, and have supported PAWV.

​Preservation Alliance of West Virginia would like to share about our 2014 Historic Preservation Award winners. The winner of the 2014 “West Virginia Media Award” was WBOY Channel 12.

The popularity of historic preservation continues to grow in West Virginia.  Not only do we have dedicated preservationists to thank for this development, but we recognize the positive influence the media has in celebrating historic preservation and in bringing tourists to historical sites.

WBOY Channel 12 made thirteen episodes featuring PAWV’s projects and events across the state and giving PAWV and many historic properties the excellent publicity while educating the viewers. Our field representative, Lynn Stasick was featured in many of them as well as various other staff, board members, and AmeriCorps members.

See one of many clips here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5ToGkSOAZI

Preservation Alliance of West Virginia would like to share about our 2014 Historic Preservation Award winners. Next we recognize “Heritage Tourism Award,” The Heritage Farm Museum & Village in Huntington, West Virginia.

Heritage tourism has proven to be a valuable and major industry for West Virginia and is centered on the preservation of historic traditions, sites, music, stories, and more.  Each year, we recognize a project, site, and organization that is making a significant contribution to the heritage tourism industry in West Virginia.

The rehabilitation has been a phased project. Firstly, all the public safety issues where addressed including a new fire escape and miles of fire suppression pipes throughout the huge facility. The Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau secured a loan to purchase and bring the theatre up to code. Thanks to the support from other non-profit agencies funding was made available to bring the theatre into ADA compliance. Thanks to the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation an elevator was installed to reach the theatre’s ballroom on the second story allowing many people to access this space for the first time in the theatre’s 86 year history. The same agency was instrumental in securing a Save our Treasures grant from the federal government to restore the façade of this striking building. WNHAC also serves as an advocate and offers hands on guidance in preservation. The success of this partnership between the Wheeling CVB and WNHAC has also stimulated significant private investment into the Capitol Theatre rehabilitation project. More than a million dollars was raised to install new seats, carpeting and stage curtains inside the beautiful theatre returning it to its grandeur of the day it opened in 1928. This ongoing multi-year project has brought forth results that not only persevere an important historical structure but has demonstrated the power of partnerships for the common good of the community.

Congratulations again to this outstanding example of historic preservation.

The Preservation Alliance of WV (PAWV) selected the Old Main project for its adaptive re-use plan that incorporates multiple uses while preserving the historic integrity of the building – including the auditorium. The Nicholas Old Main Foundation’s multi-use facility serves as a museum, event space, rental & meeting rooms, and venue for live productions. “What’s remarkable about this project is that it is cutting edge compared to other school projects in West Virginia – many of which are in a stage of infancy,” remarked PAWV Executive Director, Danielle LaPresta. “The Nicholas Old Main Foundation found an approach that worked and ran with it. It may not work for every school building, but this project shows that there are endless options for preserving and re-using historic schools. What you really need is a dedicated group of volunteers with creative minds who are willing to roll up their sleeves.”

Since 2009, the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV) has recognized the valuable contributions and hard work of preservationists across the state during its annual Historic Preservation Awards Banquet. Because of the dedication, wherewithal, and perseverance of grassroots groups and esteemed individuals, historic preservation in West Virginia is growing and successful. PAWV gives awards each year to those often overlooked for the work they do to make West Virginia communities such great places to live. PAWV is a statewide, grassroots nonprofit dedicated to historic preservation in the Mountain State. For more information, please visit http://www.pawv.org.

Please join us in honoring the achievements of this dedicated group of citizens. Old Main is located at 100 Old Main Drive, overlooking downtown Summersville. Call 304-872-2881 with any questions.