Chairman Nathan Randolph called the meeting to order at 10:08 a.m. In addition to Chairman Randolph, other voting members present were Thomas Bloch II, Tracy Burch, Darlene Hassler, Gavin Hale, Dr. Robert Conte, Dr. Rodney Montague, Tommy Bailey, Dr. Melissa Bingmann, and Laura Carroll. Ex officio non-voting members present were Aaron Parsons, director, Archives and History Section; Charles Morris, director, Museums Section; and Susan Pierce, director, Historic Preservation Section. Also present were Historic Preservation staff members Cody Straley and Christy Moore, Historic Preservation interns Kyle Hordyszynski and Samantha Ruddle, and presenters Kelsey Romer, Thomas Ingersoll, and Debbie Griffin.
Chairman Randolph asked for a motion on the winter meeting minutes of February 24, 2022. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Dr. Conte with a second by Laura Carroll. Motion carried.
Chairman Randolph then asked for approval of the agenda. Ms. Burch made a motion to approve the agenda, and Dr. Bingmann provided a second. Motion carried.
Chairman Randolph called upon Mr. Parsons for the Archives and History report. Mr. Parsons provided Archives and History monthly reports for January through May 2022 (copies attached to official minutes) and reviewed section activities, including the development of educational videos and other forms of educational outreach, the processing of new collections, the administration of regional and state History Bowl competitions, and West Virginia Day activities such as the History Bowl Legends Tournament and the Golden Horseshoe Reunion.
Chairman Randolph then called upon Ms. Pierce for the Historic Preservation report. Ms. Pierce provided a written report to members (copy attached to official minutes) and reviewed section activities, such as work on Development Grants and Survey and Planning Grants, offering scholarships for the National Alliance of Preservation Commission’s biennial conference in Cincinnati, and hosting Ambassadors Camp students.
Chairman Randolph then called upon Mr. Morris for the Museums report. Mr. Morris provided a written report to members (copy attached to official minutes) and reviewed section activities, including adding new fencing at West Virginia Independence Hall, the upcoming Appalachian String Band Festival at Camp Washington-Carver, activities at Grave Creek Mound, the Juried Quilt exhibition, the Vandalia Gathering, the Emerging Artists Exhibit, and events for the 45th Anniversary of the agency. Mr. Morris noted that education staff has continued to learn new languages to remain up to date with educational programming and that they have continued working with teachers to bring school groups to visit the State Museum.
Turning to New Business, Chairman Randolph called for the presentation of the National Register nominations.
Nathan Haines Farm, Jefferson County, nominated under Criterion A, Agriculture, and Criterion C, Architecture, with a period of significance of 1734-1972, was presented by Martin Burke. Following the presentation, Dr. Conte moved for approval of the nomination, and Dr. Bingmann provided the second. Motion carried.
Weirick and Weller Waterwheel, Jefferson County, nominated under Criterion A, Industry, with a period of significance of 1877-1946, was presented by Thomas Ingersoll. Following the presentation, Dr. Conte moved for approval of the nomination, and Ms. Carroll provided the second. Motion carried.
Rupert School, Greenbrier County, nominated under Criterion A, Education and Social History, with a period of significance of 1942-1953, was presented by Kelsey Romer. Following the presentation, Dr. Conte moved for approval of the nomination, and Ms. Carroll provided the second. Motion carried.
A boundary increase for the North Wheeling Historic District under Criterion A, Community planning and development, and Criterion C, Architecture, with a period of significance of circa 1830-1920, was presented by Debbie Griffin. Ms. Burch moved for approval of the nomination, and Dr. Conte provided the second. Motion carried.
Chairman Randolph then called on Ms. Pierce for the 2023 State Development Grants. Ms. Pierce called on Christy Moore to summarize the applications and proposed grant awards.
Dr. Conte made a motion to approve the recommendations for the FY2023 State Development grants, excluding grant number 23-28, with the provision authorizing staff to move funds from cancelled projects or projects unable to use all available funding to projects which did not receive full funding and can expend additional funds prior to the end of the grant period, or to the most deserving projects which were not funded at the discretion of SHPO staff, with any remaining funds to carry over to the next fiscal year. Dr. Bingmann made the second. Motion carried.
Ms. Carroll recused herself from discussion and voting on grant number 23-28. Ms. Burch made a motion to approve the recommendations for the FY2023 State Development grant number 23-28, with the provision authorizing staff to move funds from cancelled projects or projects unable to use all available funding to projects which did not receive full funding and can expend additional funds prior to the end of the grant period, or to the most deserving projects which were not funded at the discretion of SHPO staff, with any remaining funds to carry over to the next fiscal year. Dr. Conte made the second. Motion carried.
Chairman Randolph announced the appointment of Dr. Bingmann and Ms. Carroll to serve as a committee to nominate a chair and vice-chair at the Fall meeting.
Chairman Randolph then called on Ms. Pierce for a report on National Register nominations previously reviewed by the Archives and History Commission. Ms. Pierce called on Mr. Straley, who noted Five Corners Historic District in Charleston was listed in March, WV Schools for the Deaf and Blind Dairy Barn, the Wheeling Warehouse Historic District boundary increase, the Terra Alta United Methodist Church, and the Buxton and Landstreet Company Store were listed in April. The New Deal Era Stone Resources in Morgantown was returned by the National Park Service with a request for additional information and content. Mr. Straley noted upcoming nominations, including the Virginia Apartments in Wheeling, the Eleanor Historic District in Putnam County, the Old County Jail and the Old Clerk’s Office in Huntersville, Pocahontas County, and the New Salem Baptist Church in Raleigh County.
Chairman Randolph noted that the Fall meeting will be held on September 30, 2022, in Elkins. The Winter meeting will be held on February 23, 2023, in Charleston.
Ms. Carroll made a motion to adjourn, and Chairman Randolph declared the meeting adjourned at 11:20am.
Respectfully submitted,
Aaron Parsons
Secretary