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Deborah Barto has been a committed volunteer at the Cockayne Farmstead since 2013. She helps plan yearly programming including the Hungry for History summer speaker series, Artisan Festival, and West Virginia Day activities. Barto has been extensively involved in cataloging large parts of the collection. She helped develop a volunteer manual and prepared a guide and set of policies for conducting oral history interviews. In 2016, Barto spearheaded creation of the farmstead's strategic plan, and in 2020, she led the effort to re-draft it so that it could be used to apply for grants over a 3-year period. She also helped decide how programming could be adapted to the pandemic to keep the farmstead thriving and participants safe.
Nominated by The Cockayne Farmstead
Peter Chacalos, a retired teacher, has been vice president of the Ohio Valley Civil War Roundtable since 2019. He developed a Facebook page and website for the organization. In addition, he has presented programs on Civil War topics to various groups. Recently, Chacalos has spent countless hours researching military events, as well as people, places, and units, for a book on the Civil War in West Virginia, which he expects to have available in 2022.
Nominated by Ohio Valley Civil War Roundtable
A member of the board of directors of the Greenbrier Historical Society for more than 20 years and historian at The Greenbrier for 43, Robert Conte is the face and voice of history in the Greenbrier Valley. He has maintained the resort's archives and the President's Cottage Museum, worked with public relations, delivered lectures and tours, and authored The History of The Greenbrier (first edition 1989). Dr. Conte helped coordinate the use of historic cottages at the resort as part of the society's home tour in 2017 and arranged a loan of a painting for an exhibit at North House. He also served for several years as society secretary. In addition, Conte is a long-time member and former chair of the Archives and History Commission.
Nominated by Greenbrier Historical Society
Steven Davis has spent countless hours volunteering at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Wheeling. While he began with cutting the grass, his efforts have evolved into recovering buried markers, repairing and resetting them, and planting flowers and shrubs. Davis has drawn attention to the cemetery through online posts of before and after views of volunteer work and some of the people interred in the cemetery. He was a leading force in establishing the cemetery as a non-profit, which will enable additional funds to support the cemetery maintenance and renovation in the future. His dedication and leadership have been invaluable in the renovation of Mt. Zion Cemetery.
Nominated by Wheeling Area Genealogical Society
Linda Flemmer is a talented weaver dedicated to preserving this West Virginia tradition. Having spent the last five years studying the history of weaving in addition to improving her skills as a weaver, she donates both her time and some of the items she makes to Arthurdale Heritage to help continue the weaving tradition there. Flemmer teaches classes, does demonstrations, and seeks out historic looms for Arthurdale weavers to use. In December 2021, when Arthurdale hosted a traveling Smithsonian exhibit, she volunteered many hours providing demonstrations while people explored the exhibit. She not only carries forward the tradition of weaving but works tirelessly to share her knowledge with others.
Nominated by Arthurdale Heritage, Inc.
Executive director and president since June 2020, Savannah Schroll Guz volunteers at the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center on a fulltime basis. She organizes monthly history and art exhibitions and has teamed up with a radio drama group to have monthly old-time radio programs performed live at the museum. Through her efforts, the Weirton Steel employees bulletin archive is now online and the Dunbar Recreation Center was listed on the National Register. In 2020, Guz brought the state's suffrage history to a national audience through her contribution to Her Flag, a nationwide art and travel project. In addition, she has restored a Weirton floor coverings wreath and is currently restoring the Marlinn Shoe Store carousel.
Nominated by Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center
James Hale shares the history of his ancestors so that people can learn what it was like for slaves living in the West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio tri-state area. A descendant of the Polley family, some members of whom were wrongly re-enslaved before the Civil War, Hale pursued a trial in Wayne County 2012 that produced a decision declaring them free as of 1859. In 2021, he made presentations on the Polleys at the Madie Carroll House and during Guyandotte Civil War Days.
Nominated by Guyandotte Civil War Days
Sidney Lemoyne Hendricks is a reenactor who portrays Abraham Lincoln with a special focus on the president's role in West Virginia statehood. His portrayal is so realistic that children believe he is Lincoln. Hendricks has appeared for several years at the Princeton Railroad Museum's West Virginia Day and at Mercer County Historical Society's annual Heritage Festival. In addition, he volunteers at all society fundraising activities and currently serves as a society trustee.
Nominated by Mercer County Historical Society
Amanda Huff joined the Madie Carroll House Preservation Society about three years ago, and her expertise in online media applications has been critical to the society's ability to reach more people. She makes videos and photos of activities that allow them to be promoted and preserved. In 2021, she uploaded videos of lectures at Guyandotte Civil War Days to Madie Carroll's Facebook page and also saved them for future viewing. In addition, Huff and her daughters participate in work parties before events, and they helped replace boards in the boardwalk. By including her daughters, she is preparing them to be volunteers and advocates for the society's history and heritage.
Nominated by Madie Carroll House Preservation Society, Inc.
For fifteen years, Barry Ambus Huffstutler has gathered records from funeral homes, visited cemeteries in Cabell County, and entered data into his computer. He maintains a website that has become an invaluable source for genealogists and historians. Huffstutler has been co-chair of Camp A. G. Jenkins, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Historical Graves Search and Preservation Committee for three years. He has shown other members how to recognize graves of possible historical significance and to record information. These graves then can be assigned to members who are participants in the SCV's Guardian Program who care for them.
Nominated by Camp A. G. Jenkins #628, Sons of Confederate Veterans
Kelli Johnson has been a member of the board of directors of the Carter G. Woodson Memorial Foundation since 2019, and her presence has helped further the foundation's mission in preserving the legacy of Dr. Woodson. She has worked tirelessly during the pandemic to make sure the foundation was able to continue achieving its goals by coordinating virtual board meetings. Dr. Johnson has recently joined the fundraising dinner committee to help navigate the post-pandemic future, and she is helping with ongoing repair of the Memphis Tennessee Garrison House. In addition, her research and oral history project celebrate, preserve, and provide additional understanding of the black experience in the Fairfield Community of Huntington.
Nominated by Carter G. Woodson Memorial Foundation, Inc.
Fred Lewis has been an active member of the Ritchie County Historical Society for many years, serving two especially active "tours." In the late 1980s, he took an interest in the Old Stone House Museum, painted and wallpapered the genealogy library and meeting room, and painted the library shelves. About twenty years later, while living next door, he began opening the museum for tours and creating exhibits from treasures he found in the collections. Lewis suggested hosting an annual Christmas sing-along event and decorated several rooms. He also created a "sleeping room" upstairs and transformed the cellar house into a replica one-room schoolhouse.
Nominated by Ritchie County Historical Society, Inc.
Ron K. Lilly, vice president of the Summers County Historical Society, 2021-2022, conducted extensive research to determine the location of Camp Green Meadows where Rutherford B. Hayes and the 23rd Ohio were encamped during the Civil War. As a result of his research, the society has applied for a marker to commemorate the site. The society also published a book on the war in 2021. Lilly currently is interviewing family members of World War II veterans and transcribing their memories for an upcoming book. A former teacher who is active in the community, his knowledge of residents has been invaluable to the project.
Nominated by Summers County Historical Society
Jeff and Christy Little have been members of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society since it was founded in 1999, and he has held different offices over the years. They created the society's January meeting program "Not So Spring Bring a Thing," which has been popular, as well as the men-versus-women game at the annual picnic. The Littles live in a historic house in the Julia-Ann Square Historic District and work with neighbors on Christmas and cemetery tours to raise funds for improvements to the neighborhood. Over the years, the couple have been involved in several historical committees and activities, and together they possess an extensive knowledge of history, architecture, and antique furniture.
Nominated by Wood County Historical and Preservation Society
Paula Lowther McGrew has been a librarian and board member with Hacker's Creek Pioneer Descendants for two years and a member since 2014. A retired professor and library director at West Virginia Wesleyan College, she has volunteered her time and knowledge in organizing the group's library records and updating the website. She also assists the executive director in creating programs. McGrew created member surveys and was the force in the virtual annual gathering. With her computer knowledge, the society is better able to interact virtually with members. In addition, she is Wesleyan's historian and oversees a website on college history and people.
Nominated by Hacker's Creek Pioneer Descendants, Inc.
Kip Price promotes veterans in Marion County and West Virginia and currently is working to have a bridge named in honor of a veteran. Each year since 2016, he has helped decorate Military Recognition Christmas trees at the Marion County Courthouse. Price also helped establish a "Wall of Honor" at a Fairmont store that features photographs of local veterans, and he helps coordinate veteran recognition ceremonies and events that involve the Marion County Historical Society and provides transportation to the veterans. He participates in the society's Mountain State History Expo by displaying information on the Wereth 11. In addition, he helps with sales in the museum.
Nominated by Marion County Historical Society Museum
Thomas Edward "Tom" Pyles was one of the founding members of the Friends of Ashby's Fort, Inc., a group that interprets the French and Indian War, seeks to preserve the Ashby's Fort site and museum, and hosts educational and art programs for the community, and he currently is chairman of the board of directors. Pyles and his siblings arranged donation of property adjoining the old museum building that contains a section of the original fort and that serves as the visitor center. In addition, he volunteers his time and labor in the development and upkeep of the property and works to organize and promote programs and events.
Nominated by Mineral County Historical Society
Wendy M. Scatterday has been a friend to historic preservation projects and community efforts in Wheeling throughout her career. A registered architect, she has worked on a variety of historic preservation and rehabilitation projects in West Virginia, particularly in Wheeling, the most recent being the Bridge Tavern Building. Having served on the board of directors and executive committee of Wheeling Heritage, as well as providing general volunteer professional assistance to several building owners and organizations, Scatterday understands, supports, and promotes the importance of valuing and investing in the unique historic places not only in Wheeling but also in the state and across the United States.
Nominated by Friends of Wheeling, Inc.
John H. Sellards made a substantial contribution to area history by researching and developing signage to interpret important points along the Beckley area Lewis McManus Memorial Honor Trail, a rail-trail that follows the route of the former Piney River and Paint Creek Railroad. In 2021, with a grant from the National Coal Heritage Area Authority, the City of Beckley initiated the project to enhance coal heritage along the trail. The seven interpretive signs, which Sellards designed to be consistent with other coal heritage signage, will increase the trail's use for tourism and education.
Nominated by Raleigh County Historical Society
Lisa Singer has been an inspirational force in the preservation of buildings and the organization of residents in the North Wheeling National Historic District. President of the Victorian Old Town Association for four years, she has worked tirelessly to bring the neighborhood to its full potential through clean-up days and sidewalk sales. Singer coordinated the installation of banners and helped organize tours of local antebellum and Victorian homes. Her recent leadership led to the neighborhood being named a Wheeling "Design Review" district, a designation that ensures additional protection and architectural guidance for its historic structures.
Nominated by Victorian Old Town Association
David Sponaugle has given inspiring service in all phases of the Pendleton County Historical Society's Grave Register Project, a cumulative 47-year effort to document graves in the county. For recent cemetery book efforts, he visited more than 300 cemeteries to check the accuracy of information in previous volumes, adding new graves and using geolocating for more precise locations. He also was tireless in selling the 2013 edition and has been working to sell the most recent version. Sponaugle has, as one member said, "put his heart and soul" into the project. In addition, he has served as society treasurer, 2015-2019, and currently is a member of the board of directors.
Nominated by Pendleton County Historical Society
Although she has been a member for only two years, Donna Gale Stephens serves as chapter registrar of Cooney Ricketts Chapter #2726, United Daughters of the Confederacy, and chair of the Benevolent Committee. She compiles genealogical records for membership not only in the UDC but also in the Sons of Confederate Veterans, writes articles and serves as associate editor and publisher of the SCV newsletter, teaches the cadet corps of the SCV about proper protocol, and provides their uniforms for reenactments. Stephens also assists in planning chapter activities, cleans tombstones, and participates in Civil War reenactments, local parades, historical tours, and other events.
Nominated by Cooney Ricketts Chapter #2726, United Daughters of the Confederacy
Phil Wotring is a lifetime member of the Rowlesburg Area Historical Society. He has spent many hours in research to make the museum what it is, created a slide presentation on the history of the Civil War in West Virginia with an emphasis on the impact of the Jones-Imboden Raid on Rowlesburg, and has led a tour of the state's Civil War battlefields. Wotring also has donated many items to the depot and museum and edited and published newsletters. A student of the county's history, he has made presentations on families that were instrumental in the settling and formation of Preston County.
Nominated by Rowlesburg Area Historical Society