 The National Park Service announced a final decision on their December 2023 proposal to demolish 19 historic buildings in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia. PAWV placed these historic sites on the West Virginia Endangered Properties List in early 2024 and has served as a consulting party with many others to advocate for the saving of these irreplaceable historic sites. Many may remember that the Park proposed 3 options for how to handle these buildings:
The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia is encouraged by the National Park Service’s decision to compromise on the proposed demolitions by retaining and offering leasing opportunities for several historic properties. While we remain disappointed that the Prince Brothers Store and Dun Glen Hotel site were not included in the leasing pool, this outcome represents a meaningful win for public advocacy and historic preservation. The door is now open to save and restore more irreplaceable sites for future generations. We are grateful for this progress and are now focusing our efforts on understanding the leasing process to support the public in developing strong proposals for the rehabilitation and reuse of these important buildings. You can read the full decision at the National Park Service's website.  1) FY25 Funding Moves Forward! The FY25 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) has been approved, and State/Tribal Historic Preservation Offices can now submit applications for funding.
2) The Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit was retained in the Senate budget reconciliation bill. Unfortunately, no improvements that we have been advocating for were included, but we are pleased that we were not targeted for a rollback or elimination as we were in 2017. The House is taking up the bill now. Your advocacy and dedication helped to make this possible! Thank you! What's next? If you reached out to a member of Congress on these issues, please consider following up and thanking them for their support. We will continue advocating for the FY26 HPF funds, as well as other essential programs. 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!
Banquet & Keynote Address  Dr. Matt Wagner of Main Street America (pictured above), drawing on his private sector insight, inspired Awards Banquet attendees with stories and examples that showed how big ideas about place-based revitalization and creative thinking can spark real change right here in West Virginia, leaving the audience energized and ready to make a difference. Tours, Awards & Community Moments Tickets for the tours and Awards Banquet sold out before registration even closed! Attendees explored Wheeling’s historic districts and Mt. Wood Cemetery, along with fan favorites like the Grave Creek Mound and Cockayne Farmstead in Marshall County. Oglebay Resort’s Glessner Auditorium provided the perfect setting for the Awards Banquet, which was a heartfelt celebration of leaders like Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, Jeanne Finstein of Wheeling and many others whose work continues to shape preservation across our state.   FY25 funds for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) were appropriated by Congress in March 2025. They are currently frozen and have not been released. In short, the HPF makes preservation possible. This fund is an expression of federal commitment to America's rich heritage.
✂️This impacts: SHPOs, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, Certified Local Governments, and all Historic Preservation funded grants affecting every state and territory. Impacts include job losses, projects halted, billions in investment stalled, and historic resources will be lost due to this delay. ❌ Additionally, the President’s proposed FY2026 federal budget cuts the HPF almost entirely. The HPF is not tax payers dollars, but a tiny portion of offshore oil and gas lease revenue, and has been the main funding source of preservation since 1976. Contact your Members of Congress and ask them to act: ✅Release the FY2025 funds already appropriated ✅ Fully fund the Historic Preservation Fund in FY2026 ✅ Thank them for their support of improvements to the Historic Tax Credit 📞Senator Shelley Moore Capito - 202.224.6472 📞Senator James C. Justice II - 202.224.3954 📞Congresswoman Carol Miller - 202.225.3452 📞Congressman Riley Moore - 202.225.2711 The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV), the state’s leading grassroots nonprofit group dedicated to protecting West Virginia’s irreplaceable historic places, regrettably has decided to place the Downtown Charles Town National Register Historic District in Jefferson County on its Most Endangered Historic Properties List. This decision is made after closely monitoring the Jefferson County Commission’s efforts to move county offices and courts to buildings it is in the process of purchasing on the American Public University System campus while openly disrespecting the concerns expressed by the City and the nonprofit Main Street group Charles Town Now (CTN) about the future redevelopment of the 10 historic buildings to be vacated downtown. Those buildings include the Jefferson County Courthouse, a National Historic Landmark, a designation that indicates its significant importance to the nation’s history.  Charles Town, without doubt one of the most historic towns in West Virginia, has invested smartly in economic development efforts that have strengthened the business environment of its historic buildings which in turn helps to protect those buildings and the historic character of the downtown for future generations. The departure of county government from downtown without beginning aggressive planning and thoughtful coordination now between Jefferson County and Charles Town could have a devastating impact on the Downtown Charles Town National Register Historic District. The creation and execution of redevelopment plans can take years to fully realize.
The City and CTN have worked with a nationally qualified planning firm to create a proposed redevelopment study that they are committed to funding without County assistance. This study will take up to six months to execute. In advance of the May 15 and June 5 Commission meetings, the City and Charles Town Now requested a formal place on the agenda to discuss this proposed study and how to move forward with the collaboration of the County. Unfortunately, the County disregarded their requests and instead announced a loosely defined community discussion on July 17. “PAWV has communicated to the Jefferson County Commission that it has an important stewardship responsibility in preserving the historic character of the Charles Town Downtown National Register Historic District and the economic success of downtown. The City and Charles Town Now are offering to create a partnership with the County to smartly plan for the redevelopment of historic buildings that the County will vacate. PAWV wrote to the County Commissioners in early April to urge them to begin communications with the City and Charles Town Now. Our staff and statewide Board are deeply distressed that the County has disregarded our request and the plans for collaboration on redevelopment plans offered by the City and Charles Town Now. The future of the Charles Town Downtown National Register Historic District deserves much better and it is for that reason that we are placing the district on the West Virginia Most Endangered Historic Properties List. Our hope is that this listing will resonate with the County and the residents of Jefferson County that collaboration and coordination are needed to ensure a smooth transition for the district,” commented PAWV Executive Director Danielle Parker. The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, the statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the state’s historic places and properties, announced the recipients of the 2025 West Virginia Historic Preservation Awards at its annual awards banquet on Friday, May 2, at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia. These awards recognize outstanding contributions to historic preservation throughout the Mountain State. The banquet was part of the West Virginia Historic Preservation Conference held May 1 - 3, where preservation advocates gathered from throughout the state and region. Other activities included educational sessions, hands-on trades demonstrations, and tours of historic sites. The conference welcomed speakers from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Main Street America, and others.
2025 West Virginia Historic Preservation Award Recipients {Detailed recipient bios and project details included below.}
Each year, the Alliance presents two Preservation Persistence Awards to recognize individuals and organizations demonstrating extraordinary dedication to historic preservation. This year, the award was renamed in honor of Betty "Snookie" Woods Nutting of Wheeling, a trailblazer in the field whose tireless efforts have left a lasting impact. Snookie served as President of PAWV, was named a Distinguished West Virginian, advised the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and received the Dr. Emory Kemp Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. She was instrumental in saving 22 buildings in Wheeling, including properties on Monroe Street East, Chapline Street Row, and in Victorian North Wheeling, as well as contributing to the restoration of the iconic Wheeling Suspension Bridge. She established a legacy of persistence, dedication, and achievement that serves as a model for today’s preservationists, Mrs. Nutting was with us at this year’s awards banquet. Read more...  Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) recently introduced the Rural Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act (S. 631, H.R. 1454) in the Senate. This bill would makes several changes to the Historic Tax Credit (HTC) aimed at streamlining processes, reducing cost burdens to rural property owners and developers, and provide affordable housing incentives. Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH) and Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) introduced companion legislation in the House.
This bill would increase the HTC from 20% to 30% for projects in rural areas, further bump up the credit to 40% for affordable housing creation, allow the credit to be taken in the first year for small and rural projects, and would eliminate the basis adjustment. All of these changes would help improve the HTC and make it more beneficial for smaller and rural projects, where projects are often less financially viable. A new version of the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (HTC-GO) was reintroduced by Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) in the U.S. House and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) in the U.S. Senate. The bill would return to a one-year delivery of the historic tax credit (HTC). Other new provisions would specifically encourage smaller and rural projects with a boost in credit, and a new allowance for transferring credits.
Discounted entry for PAWV members and volunteers! Become a PAWV member and automatically be entered into a raffle to win free conference registration.  Tour at previous PAWV Conference in Parkersburg. The West Virginia Historic Preservation Conference will take place in Wheeling, West Virginia, from May 1 to May 3, 2025. The conference will feature an exciting lineup of educational sessions, tours, and hands-on demonstrations designed to engage preservation professionals, historic home-owners, historians, and community leaders alike. Experts in topics ranging from historic rehabilitation tax credits and small-scale development to architectural salvage and the preservation of historic cemeteries will speak at the conference. Attendees will hear from industry leaders, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Main Street America, and discover practical strategies for revitalizing historic buildings and homes. The event will also offer valuable opportunities to network with fellow preservationists and building experts while learning from successful preservation projects across the state and nation.
In addition to the educational sessions, there will be unique experiences such as Thursday's activities that include a tour of historic sites in Marshall County and a hands-on stucco demonstration led by experts, Adventures in Elegance, a Wheeling-based general contracting business specializing in plaster, stucco, terra cotta, and masonry restoration. An opening reception and one-of-a-kind lime burn bonfire on Thursday evening will provide perfect opportunities to make new connections and spark ideas before the sessions begin the following day. For those wanting to explore Wheeling’s amazing architecture, sign up for a variety of focused tours that will take you to Wheeling Island, North and East Wheeling, West Virginia Independence Hall, and Mt. Wood Cemetery. On Saturday, the conference will be at the Scottish Rite with historic preservation exhibitor spaces and live demonstrations showcasing hands-on preservation trades. On Friday evening, the annual West Virginia Historic Preservation Awards Banquet will be held at Glessner Auditorium at Oglebay Resort. This special event is a time to celebrate and recognize outstanding preservation projects and advocates across the state. The keynote speaker, Dr. Matthew Wagner, Chief Innovation Officer for Main Street America, will share insights from his work supporting community revitalization efforts across the country. PAWV members will enjoy exclusive benefits at the event, including discounted entry of $200 for all 3 days including the awards banquet. For PAWV members unable to attend the entire event, there will be several free activities throughout the conference that they can attend. Space is limited and registration is required to gain free entry into:
For those who may need financial assistance, volunteering at the conference is a great way to earn discounted registration of $150 for the full event, including the awards banquet, or $40 to participate in each individual day (does not include the awards banquet). The West Virginia Historic Preservation Conference is more than just an event—it’s a powerful opportunity to explore how preserving our state’s rich historic heritage can drive community revitalization and economic growth. By bringing people together to connect, learn, and collaborate, the conference highlights how historic preservation strengthens local identity, attracts investment, supports small businesses, and creates vibrant, thriving communities. To learn more about becoming a member or volunteering, contact [email protected]. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE! The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia has added two significant historic sites to its Endangered Properties List: Mannington Middle School and the Roane County Courthouse Annex. These two sites join the Middleway National Historic District in Jefferson County as the Alliance’s 2025 priority Endangered Properties. These historic sites face various threats, and their inclusion on the list aims to raise awareness and galvanize support for their preservation. The newly listed properties are:
“These sites represent the rich architecture and diverse history of West Virginia’s public buildings, both being designed by West Virginia’s own architects. Their inclusion on the Endangered Properties List underscores the urgent need to protect these irreplaceable landmarks for future generations. We are committed to working with local communities and stakeholders to find solutions that ensure their preservation,” Danielle Parker, executive director for the Alliance. Mannington Middle School and the Roane County Courthouse Annex join the Middleway National Historic District as the 2025 West Virginia Endangered Properties. In January, the Alliance added the Middleway National Historic District in Jefferson County to the Endangered Properties List. This remarkably intact rural village, with structures dating back to the 1700s and 1800s, is threatened by a proposed large-scale water bottling facility. The development poses risks to the district's historical, cultural, and environmental integrity. The Jefferson County Commission is scheduled to make a decision on the proposed project on March 11, 2025.
The Endangered Properties List is a powerful tool used by PAWV to raise awareness about threatened historic sites across the state. Inclusion on the list provides these properties with increased visibility, advocacy support, and access to resources to aid in their preservation. PAWV encourages the public to learn more about these endangered sites and get involved in local preservation efforts. In 2024, the Alliance added proposed demolition sites in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Charleston’s Municipal Auditorium, and historic cut stone walls statewide to the list and have been advocating for their preservation through public processes. |
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