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.

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. 

​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. 

​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.

​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.

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. 

​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.

Meredith Kiger, and her late husband Vaughan, 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.

​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.

​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.

​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. 

​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.

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!

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.

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.

• Webinars will be held remotely and facilitated by PAWV using its GoToWebinar subscription.
  • Presenters will have the option to practice their webinar ahead of time with PAWV staff.

• Webinars should be 45 – 60 minutes in length with allowance for a Q&A period.
• Webinars must involve a PowerPoint or slideshow presentation.
• Webinar presenters are not expected to use a web camera, but the presenter must have his/her own computer, internet access, and audio capabilities to give the webinar presentation.
• Webinar topics must relate directly to historic preservation and can be targeted at different levels of experience.
  • Webinars will be recorded live and added to the PAWV website and YouTube channel.
• It is suggested that some proposals are from historic preservation professionals and craftspeople who would like to participate in an Ask the Expert virtual session where participants can submit questions accompanied by photos (to PAWV) prior to the webinar. Questions will relate directly to historic preservation building problems. The expert will review the submissions and select questions to answer during the webinar.
  • PAWV staff can help put together the slideshow presentation for this webinar, if requested.
  • In some cases, specific case studies could be chosen for on-site demonstrations if the presenter is interested in this option. Demonstrations will be recorded and edited by a professional film crew (TBD) and presented on the PAWV website and YouTube channel.
  • For the Ask the Expert proposals, the potential presenter should explain what areas of historic preservation he/she would like to focus on for question submissions (i.e. windows, masonry, doors, foundation, roofs, etc.).

SPECIFICATIONS FOR LOCAL WORKSHOPS/DEMONSTATIONS:
 

• Local workshops and/or demonstrations must take place in July, August, or September 2020.

• The local workshops or demonstrations can be held anywhere in the state of West Virginia but must be held at historic property. It is recommended that hands-on work be performed on the property.
  • Local workshops involving the public must be held outdoors and comply with social distancing guidelines.
    • Local workshops likely will not be filmed and will occur one-time.
  • Demonstrations can be held indoors or outdoors and do not need to be open to the public if held indoors.
    • If demonstrations are to be open to the public, then they must be outdoors and comply with social distancing guidelines.
  • Demonstrations can have webinar and on-site components that can be merged for final video recordings.
  • Demonstrations will be filmed and edited by a professional film crew (TBD).
• Presenters/demonstrators must be able to engage participants in learning historic preservation and traditional building techniques in a half-day or full-day workshop, or alternatively, in a video demonstration.
• Presenters should have extensive experience in the specific skill, thorough familiarity with historic preservation issues regarding that skill, and experience in teaching the skill.  

 
Proposal Application Requirements:
 
Professionals interested in providing preservation training for either of the above formats should submit a proposal including:
 

• Title of webinar, local workshop, or demonstration
• Include whether it will be a webinar, local workshop, or demonstration
  • If a workshop or demonstration, include the name of the property (if there is one) and the address of the property.
• Description of the activity and what will be learned (no more than one page)
• Whether the activity is for beginners or a more experienced audience
• Short abstract, no more than 150 words, for promotional purposes
• Name, Title, Contact Information (phone and email), and Organizational/Institutional Affiliation, if any
• Qualifications, credentials, and experience:
  • Skill(s) that you are qualified to teach
  • Teaching or training experience
  • A one-paragraph bio suitable for use in conference handouts
• Tools or equipment, if applicable, that you can provide for the class and student use
• Materials, equipment, and site requirements you would expect PAWV to provide
• Availability/preferred date of presentation
• Cost / fee proposals for presentation (when applicable)

 
Presenter fees, when paid, will be negotiated on a case by case basis.  No separate travel expenses will be paid.  Presenter fees may be offered to speakers if funds are available – as well as if, per SHPO grant requirements, those presenters meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards found in 36 CFR 61. (For information on 36 CFR 61 standards, see https://www.nps.gov/history/local-law/arch_stnds_9.htm.)  Some presenters not meeting the requirements in 36 CFR 61 may also be paid fees, and PAWV will make this determination as funds are available.
 
Proposals are due via email to Danielle Parker at [email protected] on Friday June 5, 2020
 
This RFP does not indicate any promise to follow through and implement any proposals.  We reserve the right to select different trainers for workshops, sessions, etc. We reserve the right to accept late proposals if insufficient or inadequate proposals for all slots are not received by the deadline. We may suggest revisions to your proposals for your consideration.  PAWV staff will organize and direct all activities and will have final approval of content.
 
This conference receives Federal funds from the National Park Service as administered by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History. Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination departmental Federally Assisted Programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, or handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operated by a recipient of Federal assistance should write to: Office of Equal Opportunity, U. S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240. 

The mission of the West Virginia Association of Museums is to serve, educate, advocate for, and enhance communications within the museum community.  By listening to its members, serving their interests, and keeping members abreast of current national standards and activities, WVAM works to benefit institutions, professionals, volunteers, and others interested in the museums of the Mountain State.
 
The theme of our 2018 conference is “Building A Museum Community: A Capital Idea!”  We continue to hear from our members that we need to strengthen and grow the relationships between our state’s museums, cultural heritage and art organizations, and the people that are associated with them.  From state agencies to consultants, conservators to artists, professionals to students, and volunteers to donors - if we work together, network, and share information, just think of how much we can accomplish!
 
We are now accepting proposals for papers, presentations, workshops, exhibits, and poster sessions addressing our theme, “Building A Museum Community – A Capital Idea!”.  As always, we are also accepting sessions which focus on collections care and management, interpretation, non-profit management, grant writing, exhibit design, fundraising, and emergency preparedness - as well as proposals which address materials conservation, history, and preservation-related issues.  We especially encourage hands-on sessions that will teach our members new skills.  Don’t worry if your idea does not fit into one of the categories above (there is only so much room in this paragraph!)  Just reach out to us if you have any questions or ideas about a topic.  You can email the conference committee at [email protected] or talk to Bekah Karelis at 304-830-3485.
 
The deadline for submission of proposals is October 15, 2017.  

​Contact the PAWV to take advantage of a special offer for a nonprofit fundraising workshop at the PAWV Conference. This offer is available to the first 4 nonprofits to register with dlapresta@pawv.org.

On Thursday, September 22, at the PAWV Conference in Beverly, PAWV will offer a full-day fundraising coaching workshop with consultant, Beth Raps.  This workshop is outcome-focused: not just quick money (although that will  be one result) but a loyal donor base ensuring long-lasting money for the long haul, mirroring the long-term nature of preservation. The workshop teaches how to ask for funds but doesn’t start there. It starts rather with what we already have: a strong feeling for “our” place. It teaches us how to use that to invite support year-round through a planned approach combining a variety of types of fundraising, from crowdfunding and memberships to events and large donor cultivation and solicitation, emphasizing the three Rs of long-lasting fund development: relationship-building, record-keeping, and recognition.

For $200, your organization can send three participants to the workshop and have a 30-minute one-on-one coaching session with Beth Raps either Thursdayevening or Friday morning of the conference.  It is recommended to send a team to this workshop and coaching session as you’ll be working on your own fundraising plan.  This offer is available to the first 4 nonprofits to register with dlapresta@pawv.org.

You can learn more about Beth and her business, RAISING CLARITY at http://www.raisingclarity.com/  

To learn more about the conference and other available sessions, visit
http://pawv.org/2016-conference.htm.

This offer is first come, first serve.

​Tickets are on sale at the Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/this-place-matters-connecting-with-historic-places-tickets-26139243180

PAWV is excited to announce three featured speakers for the up-coming historic preservation conference, “This Place Matters”. Tom Mayes (National Trust for Historic Preservation), Daniel Carey (Historic Savannah Foundation), and Dr. John Ochsendorf(Massachusetts Institute of Technology) will be the plenary and keynotes presenters over the three-day period.  Each speaker will present on a different topic focused on why historic places are important and how to save them.

Tom Mayes, the Vice President and Senior Counsel for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will be the opening plenary speaker on Friday, September 23.  He will speak immediately following lunch and will kick off the main educational concurrent sessions of the conference by presenting on “Why Old Places Matter”.  Mr. Mayes will answer the questions: Why do old places matter?  What difference does it make if we do – or do not – save old places?  What difference does it make in people’s lives? He will explore some of the many reasons that old places matter to people, including Continuity, Memory, Individual and Civic Identity, Beauty, History, Architecture, Sacredness, Creativity, Sustainability, Community and Economics.  Old places matter – perhaps for more reasons – and more fundamentally — than we think.

Daniel Carey, the President & CEO of the Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF), will be the keynote speaker at the 8th Annual Historic Preservation Awards at Halliehurst Mansion in Elkins.  Mr. Carey’s presentation is entitled “Secrets of Preserving a City” and will be based on his experiences with HSF over the last 7 years.  He will convey the need for balance between tourism and preservation while touching upon the value of heritage tourism, the competitiveness of historic buildings in terms of energy efficiency, and collaborations HSF enjoys with non-traditional partners in Savannah – arguably the largest urban National Historic Landmark district in the United States.

Dr. John Ochsendorf is Professor of Civil Engineering and Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he directs a research program in historic masonry structures.  Dr. Ochsendorf will be the keynote speaker for the luncheon on Saturday, September 24, to be held in Beverly’s historic I.O.O.F. building.  His presentation is entitled “Preserving Historic Structures: Challenges and Opportunities” in which he will discuss how the preservation of the cultural heritage of West Virginia is vital for the future. Within his presentation he will explain how the field of preservation straddles the “two cultures” of the sciences and the humanities and therefore demands a deep engagement with both the technical and the cultural aspects of the built environment.

We are very honored to have all three presenters speak at the conference this year.

For more information about the conference, check out the event page: 
http://pawv.org/2016-conference.htm
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Plan your trip to the conference, September 22-24, 2016. Reserve your room in the conference room block at the Iron Road Inn – a locally-owned hotel in Elkins. The rate is $75.00/night+tax, and the room block is available beginning September 21 through September 23. Be sure to state you are with the group “Preservation Alliance of West Virginia.”

The phone number for the Iron Road Inn is 304-637-1888. The website is ironroadinn.com

This conference is being financed in part with Federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in departmental Federally Assisted Programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operated by a recipient of Federal assistance should write to:

Chief, Office of Equal Opportunity Programs
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
1201 Eye Street, NW (2740)
Washington, DC 20005

This is a reminder that proposals for the PAWV 2016 Conference are due April 25.  Here is the full request for proposals.

Preservation Alliance of West Virginia is currently accepting proposals for its next statewide historic preservation conference, scheduled for September 22-24, 2016. It will be held primarily in Beverly, with some opportunity for programming in the immediate Randolph County vicinity (Elkins, etc.). This year’s conference theme will be This Place Matters: Connecting with Historic Places. Conference proposals should relate to the theme and fit into at least one of three tracks:

1. Exploring cultural heritage tourism connections
2. Connecting health and safety with preservation
3. Building connections for stronger organizations and communities

This is a request for knowledgeable professionals willing to lead one or more of the following:
Keynote speeches
Plenary speeches
Half- or full-day workshops
Educational walking or driving tours
Educational sessions
Round-table discussions
Panel presentations
Student/AmeriCorps poster session

For more information on each of these positions, necessary qualifications, and applications, please see the guidelines below. Here is a downloadable version of the PAWV conference RFP 2016
Submit proposals via email to [email protected] by April 25, 2016.

For more information, please contact PAWV’s Executive Director, Danielle LaPresta Parker, at [email protected] or 304-345-6005.

This RFP does not indicate any promise to follow through and implement any proposals. We reserve the right to select different trainers for workshops, sessions, etc. We reserve the right to accept late proposals if insufficient or inadequate proposals for all slots are not received by the deadline. We may suggest revisions to your proposals for your consideration. PAWV staff will organize and direct all events and will have final approval of content.

This conference will be funded in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior and the WV Division of Culture & History, State Historic Preservation Office. Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in departmental Federally Assisted Programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operated by a recipient of Federal assistance should write to: Office of Equal Opportunity, National Park Service, 1201 Eye Street, NW (2740), Washington, DC 20005.

Proposal Application Requirements:
Professionals interested in providing preservation training for any of the above formats — speeches, workshops, keynote speakers, educational sessions, roundtables, panel discussions, poster sessions, and/or educational tours — should submit a proposal including:

• Title of session or presentation
• Conference track(s) to which the session or presentation relates
• Description of proposed presentation, no more than one page
• Whether presentation/session is for beginners or a more experienced audience
• Short abstract, no more than 150 words, for use in conference handouts
• Name, Title, Contact Information (phone and email) and Organizational Affiliation, if any
• Qualifications, credentials, and experience:
• Skill(s) that you are qualified to teach
• Teaching or training experience
• A short one-paragraph bio suitable for use in conference handouts
• Tools or equipment, if applicable, that you can provide for the class and student use
• Materials, equipment, and site requirements you would expect PAWV to provide
• Availability
• Cost proposals for presentation (when applicable)

Presenters will be offered free admission to the conference for the day (excluding banquet) of their presentation, plus the volunteer-discount rate to attend the rest of the conference. Presenter fees, when paid, will be negotiated on a case by case basis. Presenter fees may be offered to major speakers, with smaller amounts offered to panel participants and additional presenters if funds are available. No separate travel expenses will be paid.

Positions Available:

Plenary and keynote speakers
We are seeking one plenary speaker and two keynote speakers for the following:
A 15-30 minute plenary speech on local history or preservation – or on one of the conference themes/tracks – for an opening session directly following Friday’s lunch;
A 30-45 minute keynote speech related to the conference theme or one of the conference theme/tracks for the awards banquet on Friday evening;
A 30-45 minute keynote speech related to the conference theme or one of the conference theme/tracks for the luncheon on Saturday afternoon.

Workshop leader
Trades workshops are best held at a historic property, with hands-on work performed on the property as part of the workshop. Some workshops may include a classroom component or may be intensive training on a focused topic. Occasionally, other formats – such as a longer training period, or combining multiple skills in one workshop – may be offered. These workshops can be either a half or a full day. Trainers should have extensive experience in the specific skill, thorough familiarity with historic preservation issues regarding that skill, and experience in teaching the skill. Trainers are encouraged to bring additional hand tools for students’ use for hands-on practice.
Seminar, panel, or round-table type workshops related to one of the tracks could also be considered for workshop topics or presentations more appropriate to a longer format than the 75 minute educational sessions.

Educational speakers
Educational speakers will lead 75 minute sessions related to one of the tracks. Each session will most likely be held in an educational breakout room at a specific site. Conference participants will have the option of attending various sessions throughout the three-day period. Speakers should have extensive experience in the specific topic, thorough familiarity with historic preservation issues regarding that topic, and/or experience in teaching the topic.

Round-table leaders
The round-table discussions, which should be related to one of the tracks, will be 75 minutes long and will be located in a specific educational breakout room. Leaders of round-table discussions must have widespread knowledge and experience working with the specific topic. Leaders will be available to discuss and answer questions asked by conference participants regarding the discussion topic, as well as to encourage constructive input and sharing of experiences by the participants.

Panel presenters and moderators
The leaders/moderators of panels related to one of the tracks will assemble 2 or 3 panel presenters to each give a short presentation related to the same theme, followed by discussion led by the moderator. The names, contact information, and qualifications of each panel participant should be included in the proposal. Panels last 75 minutes and will be held in a specific educational breakout room.

Tour guides (walking or driving)
Walking tours generally run from 1 ½ to 3 hours. Driving tours may be a half-day or longer. Guides must have pervasive knowledge of the historic structures and properties described on the tour. PAWV requests that tour guides be knowledgeable not only in the historic uses of the buildings, but also in the methods, strategies, and/or technologies used during the preservation, adaptive reuse, etc., of the structures/sites. The primary focus of the tour should be related to historic preservation, the conference theme, and/or one of the conference tracks; however, PAWV encourages tours to also share aspects of local history.

Poster session
The poster session will include the presentation of research or a historic preservation project by an individual (typically a student or AmeriCorps member) or by representatives of a project team. Posters will be displayed in an exhibitor hall, and presenters will accompany their posters – illustrating their research methods or project scope and outcomes. The posters will be displayed during the entire conference, but the poster presentation session will be held over a period of one hour on Friday or Saturday of the conference.

Three Conference Tracks:
Conference attendees can choose to attend workshops and educational sessions related to three conference tracks, which focus on specific themes common in historic preservation projects and development. By featuring three different tracks, conference attendees can choose the topic that best reflects their interests and gain the most from their experience. Attendees will have the choice of Thursday workshops and tours reflective of track themes, as well as Friday and Saturday concurrent educational sessions. Proposals should be related to one of the following tracks.

1. Exploring cultural heritage tourism connections – The track on cultural heritage tourism connections could feature sessions on thematic trails, such as the WV Historic Theatre Trail, or on finding new connections for people and communities. Heritage connections can include promoting your site, making virtual connections, and attracting heritage tourists for community revitalization. Possible cultural heritage sessions could showcase relevant mobile apps and web-based tools; provide lessons for site marketing; explore rehabilitation success stories and works-in-progress; and share unique and innovative cultural and culinary business plans in the region that contribute to attracting heritage tourists and to healthy, revitalized communities.
2. Connecting health and safety with preservation – The track regarding historic preservation’s connections with green development and healthy communities can address issues of safety in preservation practice and the healthy historic buildings that can result. Sessions could address prevalent myths, such as that historic buildings cannot be saved because of hazardous materials, or that they can’t be energy efficient with wooden windows. Attendees could learn how to identify hazards in historic buildings, what is safe to deal with themselves, and when and how to call in the experts to deal with hazards. Other possible topics could explore how historic buildings can be redeveloped to be energy efficient and sustainable, or healthy community strategies that involve preservation and revitalization. Potential hands-on sessions held at Beverly historic buildings might include lead-paint safety, historic windows, mothballing, masonry restoration, historic roof repair, or porch rehabilitation.
3. Building connections for stronger organizations and communities – The track concerning organizational connections will focus on partnerships and networking, increasing involvement and engagement, and funding for successful and sustainable preservation organizations. Sessions could provide concepts for building collaborations and partnerships, using successful efforts in the region as examples. Round-table and networking sessions could give opportunities for attendees to connect with others, who might become partners in their ongoing efforts. Sessions can also provide preservation advocacy organizations (as well as those focused on a particular issue or on saving a specific structure) with tools for building capacity, finding funding, and increasing organizational development.

Preservation Alliance of West Virginia is currently accepting proposals for its next statewide historic preservation conference, scheduled for September 22-24, 2016.  It will be held primarily in Beverly, with some opportunity for programming in the immediate Randolph County vicinity (Elkins, etc.).  This year’s conference theme will be This Place Matters: Connecting with Historic Places.  Conference proposals should relate to the theme and fit into at least one of three tracks:

1. Exploring cultural heritage tourism connections
2. Connecting health and safety with preservation
3. Building connections for stronger organizations and communities

This is a request for knowledgeable professionals willing to lead one or more of the following:

• Keynote speeches
• Plenary speeches
• Half- or full-day workshops
• Educational walking or driving tours
• Educational sessions
• Round-table discussions
• Panel presentations
• Student/AmeriCorps poster session

For more information on each of these positions, necessary qualifications, and applications, please see the guidelines below. Here is a downloadable version of the PAWV conference RFP 2016

Submit proposals via email to [email protected] by April 25, 2016. 

For more information, please contact PAWV’s Executive Director, Danielle LaPresta Parker, at [email protected] or 304-345-6005.

This RFP does not indicate any promise to follow through and implement any proposals.  We reserve the right to select different trainers for workshops, sessions, etc. We reserve the right to accept late proposals if insufficient or inadequate proposals for all slots are not received by the deadline. We may suggest revisions to your proposals for your consideration.  PAWV staff will organize and direct all events and will have final approval of content.

This conference will be funded in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior and the WV Division of Culture & History, State Historic Preservation Office. Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in departmental Federally Assisted Programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operated by a recipient of Federal assistance should write to: Office of Equal Opportunity, National Park Service, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240.

Proposal Application Requirements:
Professionals interested in providing preservation training for any of the above formats — speeches, workshops, keynote speakers, educational sessions, roundtables, panel discussions, poster sessions, and/or educational tours — should submit a proposal including:

• Title of session or presentation
• Conference track(s) to which the session or presentation relates
• Description of proposed presentation, no more than one page
• Whether presentation/session is for beginners or a more experienced audience
• Short abstract, no more than 150 words, for use in conference handouts
• Name, Title, Contact Information (phone and email) and Organizational Affiliation, if any
• Qualifications, credentials, and experience:
  • Skill(s) that you are qualified to teach
  • Teaching or training experience
  • A short one-paragraph bio suitable for use in conference handouts
• Tools or equipment, if applicable, that you can provide for the class and student use
• Materials, equipment, and site requirements you would expect PAWV to provide
• Availability
• Cost proposals for presentation (when applicable)

Presenters will be offered free admission to the conference for the day (excluding banquet) of their presentation, plus the volunteer-discount rate to attend the rest of the conference. Presenter fees, when paid, will be negotiated on a case by case basis. Presenter fees may be offered to major speakers, with smaller amounts offered to panel participants and additional presenters if funds are available. No separate travel expenses will be paid.

Positions Available: 

• Plenary and keynote speakers

We are seeking one plenary speaker and two keynote speakers for the following:

1. A 15-30 minute plenary speech on local history or preservation – or on one of the conference themes/tracks – for an opening session directly following Friday’s lunch;
2. A 30-45 minute keynote speech related to the conference theme or one of the conference theme/tracks for the awards banquet on Friday evening;
3. A 30-45 minute keynote speech related to the conference theme or one of the conference theme/tracks for the luncheon on Saturday afternoon. 

• Workshop leader

Trades workshops are best held at a historic property, with hands-on work performed on the property as part of the workshop.  Some workshops may include a classroom component or may be intensive training on a focused topic. Occasionally, other formats – such as a longer training period, or combining multiple skills in one workshop – may be offered. These workshops can be either a half or a full day. Trainers should have extensive experience in the specific skill, thorough familiarity with historic preservation issues regarding that skill, and experience in teaching the skill. Trainers are encouraged to bring additional hand tools for students’ use for hands-on practice.

Seminar, panel, or round-table type workshops related to one of the tracks could also be considered for workshop topics or presentations more appropriate to a longer format than the 75 minute educational sessions. 

• Educational speakers

Educational speakers will lead 75 minute sessions related to one of the tracks. Each session will most likely be held in an educational breakout room at a specific site.  Conference participants will have the option of attending various sessions throughout the three-day period.  Speakers should have extensive experience in the specific topic, thorough familiarity with historic preservation issues regarding that topic, and/or experience in teaching the topic.

• Round-table leaders

The round-table discussions, which should be related to one of the tracks, will be 75 minutes long and will be located in a specific educational breakout room.  Leaders of round-table discussions must have widespread knowledge and experience working with the specific topic.  Leaders will be available to discuss and answer questions asked by conference participants regarding the discussion topic, as well as to encourage constructive input and sharing of experiences by the participants.  

• Panel presenters and moderators

The leaders/moderators of panels related to one of the tracks will assemble 2 or 3 panel presenters to each give a short presentation related to the same theme, followed by discussion led by the moderator. The names, contact information, and qualifications of each panel participant should be included in the proposal. Panels last 75 minutes and will be held in a specific educational breakout room. 

• Tour guides (walking or driving)

Walking tours generally run from 1 ½ to 3 hours. Driving tours may be a half-day or longer.  Guides must have pervasive knowledge of the historic structures and properties described on the tour.   PAWV requests that tour guides be knowledgeable not only in the historic uses of the buildings, but also in the methods, strategies, and/or technologies used during the preservation, adaptive reuse, etc., of the structures/sites. The primary focus of the tour should be related to historic preservation, the conference theme, and/or one of the conference tracks; however, PAWV encourages tours to also share aspects of local history.

• Poster session

The poster session will include the presentation of research or a historic preservation project by an individual (typically a student or AmeriCorps member) or by representatives of a project team.  Posters will be displayed in an exhibitor hall, and presenters will accompany their posters – illustrating their research methods or project scope and outcomes. The posters will be displayed during the entire conference, but the poster presentation session will be held over a period of one hour on Friday or Saturday of the conference.
 Three Conference Tracks:
Conference attendees can choose to attend workshops and educational sessions related to three conference tracks, which focus on specific themes common in historic preservation projects and development.  By featuring three different tracks, conference attendees can choose the topic that best reflects their interests and gain the most from their experience.  Attendees will have the choice of Thursday workshops and tours reflective of track themes, as well as Friday and Saturday concurrent educational sessions.  Proposals should be related to one of the following tracks.

1. Exploring cultural heritage tourism connections – The track on cultural heritage tourism connections could feature sessions on thematic trails, such as the WV Historic Theatre Trail, or on finding new connections for people and communities. Heritage connections can include promoting your site, making virtual connections, and attracting heritage tourists for community revitalization. Possible cultural heritage sessions could showcase relevant mobile apps and web-based tools; provide lessons for site marketing; explore rehabilitation success stories and works-in-progress; and share unique and innovative cultural and culinary business plans in the region that contribute to attracting heritage tourists and to healthy, revitalized communities.
2. Connecting health and safety with preservation – The track regarding historic preservation’s connections with green development and healthy communities can address issues of safety in preservation practice and the healthy historic buildings that can result. Sessions could address prevalent myths, such as that historic buildings cannot be saved because of hazardous materials, or that they can’t be energy efficient with wooden windows. Attendees could learn how to identify hazards in historic buildings, what is safe to deal with themselves, and when and how to call in the experts to deal with hazards. Other possible topics could explore how historic buildings can be redeveloped to be energy efficient and sustainable, or healthy community strategies that involve preservation and revitalization. Potential hands-on sessions held at Beverly historic buildings might include lead-paint safety, historic windows, mothballing, masonry restoration, historic roof repair, or porch rehabilitation.
3. Building connections for stronger organizations and communities – The track concerning organizational connections will focus on partnerships and networking, increasing involvement and engagement, and funding for successful and sustainable preservation organizations. Sessions could provide concepts for building collaborations and partnerships, using successful efforts in the region as examples. Round-table and networking sessions could give opportunities for attendees to connect with others, who might become partners in their ongoing efforts. Sessions can also provide preservation advocacy organizations (as well as those focused on a particular issue or on saving a specific structure) with tools for building capacity, finding funding, and increasing organizational development.

Statewide Historic Preservation Conference:

“This Place Matters – Connecting with Historic Places”

This three-day biennial conference will be held primarily in Beverly, with some programming in the immediate Randolph County vicinity. PAWV is excited to be in Beverly for the upcoming conference. Beverly dates back to the Revolutionary War period and is one of the first settlements west of the Allegheny Mountains. By the time the crucial Civil War battles were fought nearby in 1861, Beverly was an established county seat and crossroads. The rise of nearby Elkins at the end of the 19th century left Beverly to be largely unaffected by later development. Participants will have a chance to tour and learn intimate details about preservation successes in Beverly. The 8th Annual Historic Preservation Awards Banquet will be on Friday, the 23rd, and will be held at Halliehurst Mansion (a National Historic Landmark) in Elkins.

PAWV is currently accepting session proposals for the conference. Contact [email protected] for a copy of the conference request for proposals. The due date for submissions is March 25, 2016.