Efforts to nominate a former coal-mining town in southern West Virginia to the National Register of Historic Places could spur economic growth there, according to a spokesman for three development agencies engaged in the effort.
Once a mining boomtown, Helen, with a population near 125 residents, is among the last coal camps that remain in the mountains southwest of Beckley, and financial incentives for historic rehabilitation there would be provided if the nomination succeeds. According to Kyle Bailey, Preserve WV AmeriCorps member serving with the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, who is conducting the survey to nominate the community, financial incentives such as grants and tax credits will supplement the costs of expenditures needed for property repairs and improvements. The nomination would also secure the community's status as historically important on official state and federal levels, he said. "This would help homeowners and other property owners in Helen fund tasks such as replacing the roof, preserving the windows, and updating electrical systems," Bailey said. "Helen could once again experience growth and expansion, especially in light of recreation initiatives, such as the development of hiking and ATV trails, and transportation initiatives, such as the completion of the adjacent Coalfield Expressway." A joint effort by the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, the National Coal Heritage Area Authority, and the Winding Gulf Restoration Organization, the effort builds on projects already established in the town, including the development of a Coal Miner's Memorial Park and the stabilization of a historic apartment building there. Helen was recently selected as a stop along the African American Heritage Auto Tour, sponsored in part by the coal-heritage authority, and wayside that interpret the town's history will soon be installed, Bailey said. Like other camps of the Winding Gulf Coalfield, Helen experienced rapid growth through the early and mid-20th century. Mines there produced some of the highest quantities of coal in the state, and by 1940 almost 2,000 people lived in the town. Bailey, who grew up in a coal camp in nearby Amigo, is a member of the Preserve WV AmeriCorps program, a statewide service initiative established to help communities capture their history and preserve beloved West Virginia landmarks. GRAVEYARD GLAMMING: PRESERVE WV AMERICORPS MEMBERS PARTNER WITH FRIENDS OF THE OLD STONE CEMETERY8/8/2017
By Patrick Corcoran, Preserve WV AmeriCorps Member Eastern Regional Coal Archives/National Coal Heritage Area
West Virginia continues to gain value, due to successful historic resource improvement projects, just like the one recently undertaken at Old Stone Church Cemetery in Lewisburg, WV. Preserve WV AmeriCorps members partnered with Friends of the Old Stone Cemetery for a day of historic burial preservation education, as well as, hands-on restoration experience. On Monday, June 26, 2017, at the Old Stone Cemetery, 25 volunteers from local communities and the Preserve WV AmeriCorps program, cleaned and repaired over two dozen tombstones under the instruction of cemetery preservationists, Morgan and Kate Bunn, of Friends of Old Stone Cemetery. This was a record number of tombstones cleaned in a one day workshop. In addition, volunteers helped uncover most of the antique fencing of a lost family plot dating to 1857.
The restoration workshop, organized by Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV) and Friends of Old Stone Cemetery, began with a short instruction of the do’s and don’ts of tombstone restoration and a demonstration of the process of cleaning the stones with plenty of water and D/2 (a non-toxic biological cleaner that removes stains from molds, algae, lichen, and air pollutants). Each volunteer was given a take-home bucket of the necessary cleaning tools.
By Mercy Klein, Preserve WV AmeriCorps
November 2015 About a year before I became an AmeriCorps member, I was introduced to the Dunbar School while I was volunteering as a community member with Lynn Stasick, PAWV’s Field Representative. She was conducting an AmeriCorps training at the school on how to perform historic site evaluations and Prioritized Needs Assessments. Fortunately, I decided to tag along that day as an interested observer. Who would have known that a year later I would become an official AmeriCorps member whose first big project was to organize a Day to Serve Civic Service Project at the Dunbar School! When I think back to that day of my first visit to Dunbar School, one of the things that made an impression on me was listening to Houston Richards and Charlotte Meade (members of the Dunbar School Foundation) speak about what the Dunbar School meant to them. They spoke of the memorable times and the friendships that developed during their attendance there as students. By the tone of their voices, I could really feel just how important it was for them to preserve this school and thus their memories of their time there.
The Dunbar School Foundation, the benefited organization, is working to preserve and repurpose the Dunbar School for a community and recreational facility.The school is the only nationally-recognized historic site in Marion County that considers the segregated African American educational experience.
Attire: Wear closed-toed shoes and work clothes Supplies: Tools and paint will be provided. Lunch: Lunch will be provided To sign up and for more information, please visit: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e45afad29a2fd0-historic1 By Kelli Shapiro, PhD
I’m not an outdoorsy person, and my level of physical activity is typically so low that I would barely consider a third-floor apartment when I moved to Morgantown last year. That being the case, although I love architecture, the built environment, and historic preservation, I’ve always greatly preferred the type of preservation activities in which I could participate from the comfort of an office, museum, or archive. Thankfully (from my perspective), that has primarily been the situation during my past year of service as PAWV’s Preserve WV AmeriCorps member. I’ve been proud of my efforts doing historical research, writing press releases, updating webpages and social media, creating PowerPoint presentations, and helping the organization apply for grants – among many other activities. The Preserve WV AmeriCorps program requires all its members to participate in several hands-on service days, though, as well as to each organize their own service project – and those have forced me to come out from behind my keyboard (to my benefit, I’ll admit). By Edward Pride, Preserve WV AmeriCorps serving at the Waldomore (Clarksburg – Harrison County Public Library)
Beginning in Spring 2016, a buzz of activity has taken over Waldomore, a historic library and museum located in Clarksburg, WV. Over the past couple of months, an extensive renovation of the building has been ongoing. From electrical to plaster work, a myriad of improvements have brought the structure back to life. As the restoration continues, the development of new planning and programs are helping to set up the next chapter for Waldomore. Constructed in 1842 by Waldo P. Goff, Waldomore originally served as residence to the Goff Family. After almost a century as home of the Goff’s and their heirs, May Goff Lowndes donated the building and site to the City of Clarksburg on the condition that it was to be used as a library and museum. From 1931 to 1975, Waldomore operated as the Clarksburg city library. After the completion of a new library structure in 1975, Waldomore was repurposed as a center for historical and genealogical research as well as a civic meeting and event space. Today, Waldomore continues to serve the citizens of Clarksburg and the North Central Region. By Edward Pride, Preserve WV AmeriCorps at the Waldomore (Clarksburg – Harrison County Public Library) Since April 2016, extensive renovations have been ongoing at Waldomore, a historic library and museum located in Clarksburg, WV. Improvements being performed during the restoration include the replacement of aging electrical wiring with a new system, the repairing of damaged plaster throughout the structure, as well as the installation of new carpeting and paint. Due to the nature and scale of the project, the contents of the building had to be removed and placed in temporary accommodations. Before Waldomore Staff could begin the moving process, extensive planning had to take place in order for the move to be executed with little to no issue. Although every collections move has different characteristics and challenges, the items covered below provide a basic framework for any museum or archives to use when planning their move.
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