In the absence of Chairman Thomas Bailey, Vice Chair Darlene Hassler called the meeting to order at 9:32 A.M. In addition to Vice Chairman Hassler, other voting members present were Darlene Hassler, Daniel Gatts, Tracy Burch, Gavin Hale, Nathan Randolph, Dr. Melissa Bingmann, Matthew McGrew, Sandra Scaffidi, Dr. Rodney Montague and Thomas Bloch II. Ex officio non-voting members present were Aaron Parsons, director, Archives and History Section; Charles Morris, director, Museums Section; Susan Pierce, director, Historic Preservation Section; Randall Reid-Smith, Curator of the Department of Arts, Culture and History; Crystal Wimer, West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey; and Cade Vogelsong, president of Preservation Alliance of West Virginia. Also present were Historic Preservation staff members Cody Straley, Jessica Eichlin and Christy Moore, as well as presenters and guests (full list of attendees enclosed in official minutes).
Vice Chairman Hassler asked for a motion on the Winter meeting minutes of February 21, 2024. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Mr. Randolph with a second by Dr. Montague. Motion carried.
Vice Chairman Hassler then asked for approval of the amended agenda that was provided to commission members. Mr. Randolph made a motion to approve the agenda, and Mr. Gatts provided a second. Motion carried.
Vice Chairman Hassler called upon Mr. Parsons for the Archives and History report. Mr. Parsons provided Archives and History monthly reports for January through April 2024 (copies attached to official minutes) and reviewed section activities, including the continued shifting of collections and cleaning in archival storage areas, continued work on an updated Disaster Plan, 2024 History Bowl competitions, the development of an Archives-themed escape room to be offered to students in the future, and the development of a library exhibit focused on William Henry Edwards, entitled “Butterflies in the Coalfields.” Mr. Parsons also noted recent staffing changes and the hiring of a new secretary.
Vice Chairman Hassler 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, including development of an annual virtual Certified Local Government (CLG) training, addition of information into the GIS website, development of the Details newsletter and additional education outreach efforts, consulting with the Corps of Engineers regarding the Nucor project, continuing to review projects for REAP Demolitions, and meeting with the City of Charleston regarding the Municipal Auditorium. Ms. Pierce took a moment to recognize the recent passing of Superintendent Marshall Markley from Cass.
Vice Chairman Hassler 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 the work of the section’s new education specialist, recent work to expand social media presence, recent developments concerning the INSPIRED series, development of mailers on the Emerging Artists exhibit, work at Camp Washington-Carver to prepare for the upcoming season and Appalachian String Band Festival, and various programs held at the Grave Creek Archaeological Site and West Virginia Independence Hall. Mr. Morris noted flooding at Independence Hall in April and that cleaning efforts were conducted swiftly, and the site is back open to visitors.
Vice Chairman Hassler called on Cabinet Secretary Randall Reid-Smith for the Department of Arts, Culture and History’s report. Cabinet Secretary Reid-Smith took a moment to recognize and thank both the department’s staff and the commission members for their service to the state. Cabinet Secretary Reid-Smith noted work on the department’s budget, which will increase significantly on July 1, work on the America 250 WV Commission, attendance at the annual West Virginia Association of Museums Conference, and West Virginia Day events, including the dedication of four new murals in the Capitol Dome and the dedication of the Arthur I. Boreman statue at Independence Hall in Wheeling. Cabinet Secretary Reid-Smith also noted plans for the upcoming Ambassadors Camp and the Governor’s Literacy School, as well as the upcoming 250th commemoration of the Battle of Point Pleasant and events planned surrounding the anniversary as well as the development of a new outdoor museum exhibit, entitled “West Virginia: Nature Designs a State that Fuels a Nation.” Cabinet Secretary Reid-Smith also noted participation of the America 250 WV Commission in the Ripley Fourth of July parade, plans for the Governor’s Arts Caravan, and Day of Service grants to assist with funding to help with restoration of cemeteries, as well as three supplementals that will benefit various sections within the department. In addition, Secretary Reid-Smith noted that February 12, 2026, will be the 100th anniversary of the creation of Black History Month.
Vice Chairman Hassler called upon Mr. Vogelsong for the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia report. Mr. Vogelsong reviewed the organization’s activities, including the addition of three properties to the West Virginia Endangered Properties List, the annual awards banquet in Mannington, completion of Saving Historic Places grant projects at the Arthurdale Heritage School buildings, the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind dairy barn in Romney, and Cold Metal building in Wellsburg, awarding of the Paul Bruen Grant to eight recipients to various schools across the state, continuing of America Corps programs, hosting of West Virginia Cemetery and Documentation programs throughout the state in the summer, and America 250 programs, which will focus on sites of enslavement in West Virginia.
Vice Chairman Hassler then called upon Ms. Wimer for the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey report. Ms. Wimer noted the selection of a building to serve as the new core storage building, outreach programs such as attendance of the WV Science and Engineering Fair in Charleston, and the Draw Jeff competition. Ms. Wimer noted that a Megalonyx Jeffersonii skull is still on loan to the museum, and that scans of the skull are currently being created for research purposes. Eighty students visited the student from East Preston Middle School. Ms. Wimer also stated that WVGES had recently loaned two crinoid fossils and a piece of calcite and quartz/pyrite to the Morgantown History Museum, as well as updated signage that will be installed at the site soon. The museum has had 187 visitors from February to mid-June (87% in-state and 13% from out-of-state).
Turning to New Business, Vice Chairman Hassler called for the presentation of the National Register nominations.
Vice Chairman Hassler called for the presentation of the National Register nomination of the Marshall University Memorial Fountain, Huntington, Cabell County, with the presentation of other nominations to follow after a short recess. Cabinet Secretary Reid-Smith introduced Marshall University President Brad Smith, who came to attend the presentation of the nomination. President Smith took a moment to thank the commission for their work and dedication to the state, and for considering the nomination of the Marshall University Memorial Fountain to the National Register of Historic Places.
Marshall University Memorial Fountain, Huntington, Cabell County, nominated under Criterion C, Art, and Criterion F: Commemorative Properties, with a period of significance of 1972, was presented by Cody Straley. Following the presentation, Mr. Randolph made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Mr. McGrew provided the second. Motion carried.
Following the presentation of the Marshall University Memorial Fountain nomination, the commission took a brief recess for a media and press event at the Memorial Fountain.
Green Book Sites in West Virginia (Multiple Property Document-cover document), nominated under Criterion A: Ethnic History: Black, was presented by Sarah Elswick. Mr. McGrew motioned for approval of the MPD-cover document, and Ms. Burch provided the second. Motion carried.
Bluefield Green Book Historic District, Bluefield, Mercer County, nominated under Criterion A, Ethnic History: Black, Transportation, and Social History, with a period of significance of 1950-1966, was presented by Sarah Elswick. Following the presentation, Dr. Montague made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Mr. Hale provided the second. Motion carried.
Paw Paw Black School, Paw Paw, Morgan County, nominated under Criterion A, Education, Social History, and Ethnic Heritage: Black, with a period of significance of 1928-1954, was presented by David Abruzzi. Following the presentation, Mr. McGrew made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Dr. Montague provided the second. Motion carried.
Woodbyrne, Charles Town vicinity, Jefferson County, nominated under Criterion A, Ethnic Heritage: Black, Agriculture, and Law, and Criterion C, Architecture, with a period of significance of 1803-1974, was presented by John Demer. Following the presentation, the members of the commission discussed Woodbyrne's eligibility under Ethnic Heritage: Black and whether there was sufficient information to argue for its significance under that criterion. After some deliberation, the commission members decided not to request any changes to the nomination. After discussion, Mr. McGrew made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Mr. Hale provided the second. Motion carried.
Vice Chairman Hassler then called on Ms. Pierce for the presentation of 2025 State Development Grants and 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance Cemetery Grants. Ms. Pierce called on Christina Moore to summarize the applications and proposed grant awards.
Mr. McGrew made a motion to approve the grant recommendations for the FY2025 State Development Grants except for Tyree Tavern and Hughes House 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. Mr. Randolph provided the second. Motion carried.
Ms. Scaffidi recused herself and left the room prior to voting on the Tyree Tavern and Hughes House grant projects. Mr. McGrew made a motion to approve the grant recommendations for the FY2025 State Development Grants for Tyree Tavern and Hughes House 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. Mr. Gatts provided the second. Motion carried.
Ms. Burch made a motion to approve the grant recommendations for the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance Cemetery Grants 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. Mr. Gatts provided the second. Motion carried.
Vice Chairman Hassler called for a motion to appoint a nominating committee for commission officers. Dr. Bingmann and Sandra Scaffidi were named as the nominating committee to nominate a chair and vice-chair. Ms. Burch made a motion to approve. Dr. Montague provided the second. Motion carried.
Vice Chairman Hassler 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 Amos Farm, St. Charles Catholic Church, Wayne County WWI Memorial, additional documentation to the Downtown Charleston District, Wright-Hunter Cemetery, Maplewood Cemetery, and the Cap Hatfield Gravesite were listed on the National Register. Mr. Straley also noted several upcoming nominations.
Vice Chairman Hassler noted that the Fall meeting will tentatively be held at Cacapon Resort in Berkeley Springs on September 27, 2024. The Winter meeting will tentatively be held at the Culture Center in February 2025.
Ms. Pierce addressed the commission and asked that a message be drafted and sent to Dr. Robert Conte, former commissioner, for his previous work on the commission.
Mr. Randolph made a motion to adjourn, and Vice Chairman Hassler declared the meeting adjourned at 12:26 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Aaron Parsons
Secretary
Respectfully submitted,
Aaron Parsons
Secretary