 ‘Matewan’ Director John Sayles to Attend Launch of Blair Centennial Project
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced today that the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum is the recipient of a $30,000 challenge grant for their long-term project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Blair Mountain in 2021. Though still four years in the future, planning for the Blair Centennial Project has already begun. A celebration of the 30th anniversary of the release of John Sayles’s acclaimed film about the West Virginia Mine Wars, Matewan, will take place this October. Sayles and his producer partner, Maggie Renzi, will both attend screenings of the film in Charleston. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Centennial project. The museum will be releasing more details about the screenings in coming weeks. The five-day Battle of Blair Mountain unfolded on the border of Boone and Logan counties and pitted unionist coal miners against local law enforcement and citizen militias. The Blair Centennial Project will consist of five days of fun, interpretive activities spread out across the coalfield counties where the conflict took place. The NEH grant makes it possible for the Museum to hire a director to coordinate the activities. The grant is also intended to increase the museum’s fundraising capacity, while creating connections among humanities organizations across southern West Virginia. PAWV IS SEEKING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO DEVELOP OPERATING GUIDELINES FOR REVOLVING LOAN FUND4/30/2017
The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV) will be establishing a historic preservation revolving loan fund to support historic preservation projects in the state of West Virginia. To meet that goal, PAWV plans to engage professional services of a consultant (firm) who is an expert in the disciplines of revolving fund mechanisms, real estate development, and historic preservation. The successful proposer will work closely with a PAWV committee to develop Operating Guidelines and materials for the new revolving loan fund.
BACKGROUND Formed in 1982, the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV) is the only statewide, grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of the Mountain State’s cultural heritage. PAWV’s formal mission is, “With a commitment to preserve our unique cultural heritage, PAWV and its members work to save our past for the present and future, supporting and promoting historic preservation through education & outreach, advocacy, preservation tools, and heritage tourism.”
The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia is currently accepting nominations for the 2017 West Virginia Endangered Properties List. Nominations are due February 15, 2017, and the alliance plans to make the announcement for the 2017 Listing near the beginning of May 2017 in celebration of National Historic Preservation Month. There is special criteria to be identified as a WV Endangered Property. Each property must be listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; suffer from a demonstrable preservation emergency; and maintain owner and local support for the re-use of the property in the respective community. Owner support is necessary because it’s the first step to ensuring the preservation process begins. It is PAWV’s goal to encourage owners to turn these properties into viable contributors to WV’s economy. Properties that were formerly on the endangered list but have graduated to saved include the First Ward School in Elkins and the Quarrier Diner in Charleston. We hope you will take a look around your community for an historic building that is in need of attention, rehabilitation, speaks to the history of the community, has great potential to be re-purposed to serve community needs, and is of more value saved than destroyed. If you know of such a building, please consider taking the time to submit a nomination for the property. Nominations forms and additional information on Endangered Properties nominations can be found here. For more information on West Virginia Endangered Properties and a list of current Endangered Properties in West Virginia, please visit http://www.pawv.org/endanger.htm or contact PAWV’s Preserve WV AmeriCorps member, Mercy Klein, at [email protected].
Project and Outreach Manager
The Wheeling National Heritage Area Corp. seeks a dynamic individual to join their leadership team. Candidates who possess previous experience with local or statewide “Main Street” programs/projects or related activities are preferred. Ideal candidates must have great presentation skills, verbal and written communication skills, thrive with community outreach/relations and be an avid networker and communication specialist in addition to having exceptional command and utilization of social media, Microsoft Office applications, and other web based marketing/design platforms and technology. This position will be accountable for the following primary responsibilities:
This position provides a very competitive compensation package that is commensurate upon experience level. This position also provides health insurance. If you feel you are a good fit for this newly constructed role, please send your resume, cover letter, and a sample of your marketing or advertising work product via e-mail by no later than January 13, 2017, in confidence, to Mr. Jake Dougherty, Executive Director, at [email protected]. Equal Opportunity Employer This year, PAWV hired Terrell Ellis & Associates (TEA) to examine the feasibility of establishing a revolving loan fund to protect historic properties in West Virginia. If determined feasible, TEA was given the task to make recommendations on the structure and management of a historic preservation revolving loan program.
In researching this matter, TEA interviewed 23 individuals representing a combination of community developers, nonprofit and for profit lenders, private developers, and professional service providers. TEA also surveyed 37 historic property owners and community developers. Based on this research, TEA recommended that PAWV move forward with the development of a revolving loan program based on the following parameters:
Now that the feasibility study has been completed, and the recommendation has been made to proceed in creating a historic properties revolving loan program, PAWV will apply for a second round of grant funds from the 1772 Foundation to develop a business plan. PAWV will also identify a nonprofit organizational partner and start raising funds for the initial capitalization of the loan program. PAWV will have the bulk of 2017 to create a business plan and fundraise for this program if awarded funds from the 1772 Foundation. Consider increasing your donation to PAWV to help us make the loan program a reality. Visit http://www.pawv.org and donate through PayPal – the button is at the bottom left-hand corner of the homepage. The feasibility study was made possible with generous grant funding from the 1772 Foundation. The 1772 Foundation works to ensure the safe passage of our historic buildings and farmlands for future generations. To learn more visit, http://www.1772foundation.org/. For a full copy of the feasibility study, email our executive director, Danielle LaPresta at [email protected].
By Joe Obidzinski Most historic sites are familiar with necessary changes to the interpretation of their site. Exhibits get old and new information is gathered necessitating a fresh take on things. At the Jackson’s Mill Farmstead (Historic Area) we have been discussing such changes for the past few seasons. In April, we were provided this opportunity through some fortuitous instruction from above. Jackson’s Mill is a part of the West Virginia University Extension Service and therefore falls under the purview of Morgantown. They instructed us to focus more of our programming efforts on-site. Once they did, we began to work on our new interpretation in earnest. This is a discussion of some of our efforts thus far. Our site and collections are focused on early life in western Virginia from about 1800 – 1850. As the name implies, we were the home site of the Jackson family (Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson spent his youth here after he was orphaned). Presently, our site features the old Jackson Mill (gristmill) building and a relocated gristmill, and two log cabins. Currently the first floor of the Jackson Mill is utilized as an exhibit space. While this is a great use for the space, it has had some problems for visitors One of the overall issues with the Old Jackson Mill has always been a lack of cohesiveness in the objects displayed and a disconnect from the period that we primarily interpret. For example, we have gear work from a grist mill that was not the Jackson’s, an entire water-powered sawmill (which would have been located in a separate building nearby), as well as farming equipment, much of which is from the post-Jackson era. Visitors who toured our site were often confused until a guide would offer some explanation for how these pieces related either directly or indirectly to the story of our site. In an effort to address these issues, and provide a richer visitor experience, I developed a number of new exhibits.
I wanted the exhibits to be more than just a dry description of what the people were looking at so I wrote a description that included both the pieces, as well as their importance to the Jacksons, the region, and the history of the period. Ultimately, we installed three exhibits in the Jackson Mill. The first one was called “Forest to Floors” which described how that particular saw worked, how the Jacksons, used theirs, and how the timber industry was important in the region. I also developed another one for the gear work in the mill called “What Makes a Mill Go ‘Round?” The concept here was to discuss the various types of gear work necessary to drive the large stones necessary for gristmilling and how these gears varied from those that drove the Jacksons’ mill stones. Finally, I created an exhibit entitled, “Field to Stone.” This exhibit ties together the various plows, planters, and grain cleaners that are also on the main floor. The narrative discusses the entire season from planting, to growing, and harvesting. It also touches on how the grains needed to be cleaned and dried before they could be brought to the mill for grinding. These exhibits are more traditional in their presentation. This was not the case for some of our other buildings such as the Blaker gristmill. When we reevaluated the first floor of the Blaker gristmill we concluded that because this is our active mill we wanted it to have a more functional and active feeling, rather than the more traditional exhibit space in the Jackson Mill. Since the gristmill was historically a gathering place for the community, and because we conclude all of our tours with a demonstration grind, we have reconfigured the miller’s office to reflect a more “lived in” feeling and give visitors a sense of what a miller’s office was like when people visited the mill for business. In the Blaker Mill, there are three sets of stones, two of which we use and one that is utilized for display. Since each set of stones are carved with pattern called the dress, and this carving needed to be maintained, or redressed every so often, we set up the machinery necessary to raise the stones in order to redress them. The exhibits discussed here are only a small sampling of some of the many updates that have been made at the Jackson’s Mill Farmstead, many more will continue to be installed in the coming months. To see more on our efforts, or learn about the history of Jackson’s Mill, stop by the Farmstead for a visit. Guided tours are offered every Saturday and Sunday from April through October. Main Street Fairmont Seeks Executive Director
Do you have what it takes to lead a dynamic organization and create change in your community? If so, we have the job for you! Executive Director – Main Street Fairmont Main Street Fairmont seeks a part-time Executive Director to lead the revitalization and economic development of downtown Fairmont, a designated West Virginia Main Street community and 2010 Great American Main Street Award winner. Fairmont is enjoying an exciting renaissance of its small downtown, although much work remains. Potential candidates must be entrepreneurial, energetic, imaginative, well organized and capable of functioning effectively in an independent environment while coordinating multiple public and private interests. Excellent communication, fundraising and collaboration skills are essential. Strong leadership is required. A bachelor’s degree and professional experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred: economic development, urban planning, historic preservation, and/or non-profit leadership. Candidate will be familiar with the Main Street Four Point Approach. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Duties •Raise the profile of downtown Fairmont in order to reach new audiences and build its reputation as a business friendly environment that will thrive with the emergence of new commerce and the resulting increase of foot traffic. Serving as the lead advocate for Main Street Fairmont (MSF), the Executive Director utilizes a high level of knowledge and enthusiasm in fundraising, non-profit management, and communications in order to ensure that the downtown continues to flourish. The Executive Director is expected to establish good relationships with existing and potential sponsors, and will build a strong fundraising operation for the organization. •The Executive Director oversees the development of a balanced annual budget and strategic operating plans; plans and implements fundraising and business activities to secure adequate operating and capital monies; utilizes reserve funds effectively; all through sponsorship, applying for grants, and identifying and implementing new business ventures and revenue streams. In consultation with the board of directors, the Executive Director prepares and monitors the annual budget, provides excellent fiscal oversight, controlling receipts and expenditures, meeting budgeted financial obligations while working within the MSF by-laws. •Articulate a clear vision and set of strategic priorities for the organization, with defined goals and objectives for achievement: The Executive Director is charged with reviewing the mission, vision, strategic priorities and objectives of MSF and, in collaboration with board of directors and co-partners, will continue to develop and implement a strategic plan consistent with the goals of the organization. •Become familiar with all persons and groups directly or indirectly involved in the downtown commercial district. Assist Main Street Fairmont’s board and committees in developing an annual action plan for implementing a downtown revitalization program focused on four areas; design/historic preservation, marketing, operations/management, and business enhancement/development. •Coordinate activity of Main Street committees, ensure that communication between committees is well established; assist committees with implementation of work plan items. •Develop and maintain a close working relationship with the City of Fairmont and Marion County to ensure that all aspects of the downtown revitalization efforts are compatible with the goals and objectives of the City and County. •Coordinate and participate in ongoing public awareness and education programs designed to enhance appreciation of the downtown’s architecture and other assets and to foster an understanding of Main Street Fairmont’s goals and objectives. Through speaking engagements, media interviews and appearances, keep Main Street Fairmont highly visible in the community. •Assist individual tenants or property owners with physical improvement projects through personal consultation or by obtaining and supervising professional design consultants; assist in locating appropriate contractors and materials; provide advice and guidance on necessary financial mechanisms for physical improvements. •Assess the management capacity of downtown businesses and encourage improvements in the downtown community’s ability to undertake joint activities such as promotional events, advertising, special events, and business recruitment. Encourage cooperation between downtown interests and local public officials. •Work closely with local media to ensure maximum event coverage; encourage design excellence in all aspects of promotion in order to advance an image of quality for the downtown. •Represent the community at the local, state, and national levels to important constituencies. Speak effectively on Main Street Fairmont’s directions and findings. Help build strong and productive working relationships with appropriate public agencies at the local and state levels. •Oversees operations of the Citizens Building, located on Adams Street. Qualifications Job Knowledge and Skills Required The Director should have a bachelor’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following areas: public relations, marketing, volunteer recruitment/management, event planning and management, commercial district management, small business development, non-profit administration, fundraising, architecture, and/or retailing. The Director must be sensitive to design and preservation issues. The Director must understand the issues confronting downtown business people, property owners, public agencies, and community organizations. The Director must be entrepreneurial, energetic, imaginative, well organized, and capable of functioning effectively in a very independent situation. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential. Supervisory skills are desirable. How to Apply To be considered for this position, applicants must submit the following: a resume, cover letter, three work-related references and salary history by October 7th. To apply, send materials to [email protected]. Aurora Research Associates, LLC is hiring for two temporary architectural survey positions
Approximately three weeks of field work, not necessarily continuous, will take place in southern West Virginia in the fall of 2016. Completion of survey inventory forms will continue through 2017. Candidates should be willing and able to travel for field work and to work from home completing forms and historic research. Knowledge of coal-related history and resources a plus. Job title: Architectural History Field Surveyor Job Description: Temporary contract position assisting with architectural history survey in southern West Virginia. Surveyor will work with team in the field documenting historic resources, including architectural features, materials, alterations, additions, and other data. Must be available approximately 3 weeks of field work in West Virginia fall 2016. Will also work at home in office completing West Virginia Historic Property Inventory forms; must have computer and internet connection for telecommuting. Qualifications:
Compensation: $15/hr To apply, please send cover letter, resume and writing sample by September 30, 2016 to: Courtney Zimmerman Aurora Research Associates, LLC 1436 Graham Road Silver Lake, OH 44224 or courtney@aurora‐llc.com Job title: Architectural Historian Temporary contract position assisting with architectural history survey in southern West Virginia. Architectural historian will work with team in the field documenting historic resources including architectural features, materials, alterations, additions, and other data. Must be available approximately 3 weeks of field work in West Virginia fall 2016. Will also work at home or in office 1436 Graham Rod Silver Lake, OH 44224 completing and reviewing West Virginia Historic Property Inventory forms and assisting and writing; must have computer and internet connection for telecommuting. Qualifications:
Compensation: $30/hr To apply, please send cover letter, resume and writing sample by September 30, 2016 to: Courtney Zimmerman Aurora Research Associates, LLC 1436 Graham Road Silver Lake, OH 44224 or courtney@aurora‐llc.com |
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