The West Virginia Archives and History Library of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History will continue its series of genealogy- and history-related workshops on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2006 to celebrate American Archives Month. The session will take place in the library at the Cultural Center, State Capitol Complex in Charleston, at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
The workshop, “A Celebration of Archives: Your State Archives Working for You,” will focus on how individuals have used the West Virginia Archives and History collections in their work. Speakers include Kenneth R. Bailey, Russ Barbour, Fred Barkey, Woodrow Clay Hamilton Jr., Terry Lively and Deborah J. Sonis.
Bailey, Ph.D., retired dean of the College of Humanities, Business and Sciences at WVU-Institute of Technology, is the author of several articles and four books, including Alleged Evil Genius: The Life and Times of Judge James H. Ferguson, which was published this year. Barbour of West Virginia Public Broadcasting has produced numerous historical/documentary stories for television, many airing on the state’s public broadcasting news magazine Outlook, frequently using archival news film and videotape from the Archives and History Library. Barkey, Ph.D., is professor emeritus at Marshall University Graduate College and chairman of the board of the Coal Heritage Trail Authority.
Retired CIA employee Hamilton has been researching family history for 30 years and published his first volume about the Hamilton family in 1999. Creative services manager for the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Lively produced a cable-access television series on transportation issues between 2001 and 2003, and recently produced an hour-long, award-winning documentary, CROSSINGS–Bridge Building in West Virginia, which aired on public television. Sonis works for the West Virginia Humanities Council, where she served as managing editor for The West Virginia Encyclopedia.
The program will conclude with recognition of individuals who have donated materials to the Archives collections in the past year and light refreshments.
American Archives Month is a nationwide observance that seeks to reach out to the public and raise awareness of the role of archives in collecting, preserving, and making accessible records that document the past. The observance began more than a decade ago in New York and has expanded to include states across the country in activities that showcase the importance of archives.
Advance registration for the workshop is not required, but is encouraged to help plan seating arrangements.
For more information or to register in advance, contact the Archives and History Library at (304) 558-0230. To register by e-mail, send name, telephone, and the date of the workshop to Robert Taylor, library manager, at [email protected].
The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, an agency of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, brings together the state’s past, present and future through programs and services in the areas of archives and history, the arts, historic preservation and museums. The Cultural Center is West Virginia’s official showcase for the arts. Visit the Division’s website at www.wvculture.org for more information about programs of the Division. The Department of Arts, Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
- 30 -
Ginny Painter
Deputy Commissioner/Communications Manager
West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History
The Cultural Center
1900 Kanawha Blvd., East
Charleston, WV 25305
Phone (304) 558-0220, ext. 120
Fax (304) 558-2779
Email [email protected]