Chairman Thomas Bailey called the meeting to order at 1:10 PM. In addition to Chairman Bailey, other voting members present were Darlene Hassler, Daniel Gatts, Tracy Burch, Gavin Hale, Nathan Randolph, Dr. Melissa Bingmann, Laura Carroll, Matthew McGrew, Rob Petry, Sandra Scaffidi 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).
Chairman Bailey asked for a motion on the Fall meeting minutes of September 29, 2023. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Mr. Randolph with a second by Mr. Bloch. Motion carried.
Chairman Bailey then asked for approval of the agenda. Ms. Burch made a motion to approve the agenda, and Mr. Petry provided a second. Motion carried.
Chairman Bailey called upon Mr. Parsons for the Archives and History report. Mr. Parsons provided Archives and History monthly reports for August through December 2023 (copies attached to official minutes) and reviewed section activities, including the acquisition and processing of several collections, continued efforts to shift the collections to make best use of newly acquired space, finalization of an updated Collection Processing Guide, continued work on an updated Housekeeping Guide and an updated Archives Section Disaster Plan, the development and installation of a new library exhibit in honor of the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the CCC, and the continued development of a revived Archives Section newsletter and a themed escape room geared toward helping students learn how to engage primary sources. Mr. Parsons also noted that two new staff were hired between August and December and that two positions became vacant in December.
Chairman Bailey 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 attendance of meetings with the West Virginia Legislature, development of an online portal to provide agency information, work with the town of Bath regarding public activities, newsletters sent to CLGs, attendance of a National Association of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) Camp, GIS database and website updates, completion of several new handouts and handbooks to inform the public regarding National Register nominations, training programs, and development of a special publication for the America Semiquincentennial Celebration. Ms. Pierce also noted that work continues with historic Green Book sites and the development of Historic Preservation calendars, and work on the Nucor site. Ms. Pierce stated that meetings were held regarding potential demolitions in Thurmond, Dun Glen and Prince and that Historic Preservation staff had been working with the new owners of the Elizabeth Harden Gilmore House in Charleston.
Chairman Bailey 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 addition of new staff, updates to the State Museum's online education presence, The Governor’s Capitol Art "Almost Heaven" exhibit, the opening of the "Inspire" series on March 3rd, winterizing efforts at Camp Washington-Carver and preparation for the Appalachian String Band Festival, various events at Grave Creek Mound, holiday events and History Bowl held at West Virginia Independence Hall, and the unveiling of an Arthur I. Boreman statue at Independence Hall.
Chairman Bailey called on Curator Randall Reid-Smith for the Department of Arts, Culture and History's report. Curator Reid-Smith noted various activities of the America 250th Commission, events to be held at Point Pleasant to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Point Pleasant, the state budget, the dedication of the first four murals in the Capitol Dome, the unveiling of the Arthur I. Boreman in Wheeling on June 20th, the opening of a new outdoor exhibit focused on natural resources to be featured outside the Culture Center, Arts Days activities and the upcoming Arts Conference, History Bowl, and the awarding of various grants throughout the state.
Chairman Bailey congratulated Curator Reid-Smith on his appointment as Cabinet Secretary and thanked him for his service to the state.
Chairman Bailey then called upon Mr. Vogelsong for the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia report. Mr. Vogelsong reviewed the organization's activities, including upcoming historic preservation awards, consultation on Section 106 review of demolitions at New River Gorge, legislative advocacy, work with the Preserve WV Americorps, Saving Historic Places grants, reallocation of the Paul Bruen Grant award to fund historic schools, and continued work on the Preservation Trades Task Force.
Chairman Bailey then called upon Ms. Wimer for the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey report. Ms. Wimer noted a funding award from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for a core storage facility, multiple staff members attending the MRCI CO2 (carbon sequestration) meeting in Morgantown, hosting the State Map meeting, and receipt of a new carbon research grant from the State of Pennsylvania. Ms. Wimer also noted various outreach efforts and hosting the 2nd Annual "Draw Jeff" Contest. She also noted that a Megalonyx Jeffersonii skull from Putnam County has been loaned to the Geologic Survey's Museum for one year. The Geologic Survey Museum saw 92 visitors (85% in-state and 15% from out-of-state) between October 2023 and January 2024.
Turning to New Business, Chairman Bailey called for the presentation of the National Register nominations.
Frederick Rosenberger Farm, Jefferson County, nominated under Criterion A, Agriculture and Criterion C, Architecture, with a period of significance of 1809 to 1951, was presented by John Demmer. Following the presentation, Mr. Randolph made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Mr. Gatts provided the second. Motion carried.
Rees-Daniel Farm, Jefferson County, nominated under Criterion A, Agriculture, and Criterion C, Architecture, with a period of significance of 1760-1967, was presented by John Demmer. Following the presentation, Mr. McGrew made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Dr. Bingmann provided the second. Motion carried.
Downtown Charleston Historic District (Additional Documentation), Charleston, Kanawha County, nominated under Criterion A and C, with a period of significance of 1877-1974, was presented by Melissa Furchel. Ms. Furchel explained that the nomination was to keep the current criteria, but to expand the period of significance from 1956 to 1974. Following the presentation, Mr. Bloch recused himself and left the room prior to voting. Ms. Burch made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Mr. Petry provided the second. Motion carried.
Cap Hatfield Gravesite, Stirrat, Logan County, nominated under Criterion B, Social History, and Criterion C, Birthplaces and Graves, with a period of significance of 1930, was presented by Julia Lasure. Following the presentation, Mr. Randolph made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Mr. Hale provided the second. Motion carried.
Amos Farmstead, Marion County, nominated under Criterion A, Agriculture, and Criterion C, Architecture, with a period of significance of 1900-1969, was presented by David Shuey. Following the presentation, Mr. Hale made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Mr. Randolph provided the second. Motion carried.
St. Charles Catholic Mission Church, Paw Paw, Morgan County, nominated under Criterion A, Social History, with a period of significance of 1876-1951, was presented by David Abruzzi. Following the presentation, Dr. Bingmann made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Ms. Scaffidi provided the second. Motion carried.
Wright-Hunter Cemetery, Beckley, Raleigh County, nominated under Criterion A, Social and Ethnic History, with a period of significance from 1906-1960, was presented by Sandra Scaffidi. Following the presentation, Ms. Scaffidi recused herself and left the room prior to voting. Mr. McGrew made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Mr. Petry provided the second. Motion carried.
Maplewood Cemetery, Elkins, Randolph County, nominated under Criterion A, Social History, and Criterion C, Architecture, and Criterion D, Archaeological Significance, with a period of significance of 1887-1973, was presented by David Taylor. Following the presentation, Mr. Hale made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Ms. Burch provided the second. Motion carried. Wayne County World War I Memorial, Wayne, Wayne County, nominated under Criterion A, Social History, and Criterion C, Art, with a period of significance of 1923, was presented by Cody Straley. Following the presentation, Mr. Randolph made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Mr. Gatts provided the second. Motion carried.
Chairman Bailey then called on Ms. Pierce for the 2024 Survey and Planning Grants. Ms. Pierce called on Christina Moore to summarize the applications and proposed grant awards.
Ms. Scaffidi recused herself and left the room prior to voting. Ms. Burch made a motion to approve the grant recommendations for the FY2024 Survey and Planning Grants with the provision authorizing staff to move funds from canceled 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 provided the second. Motion carried.
Chairman Bailey called for a motion to replace the nominating committee for commission officers. Mr. Hale and Dr. Bingmann were named as the nominating committee to nominate a chair and vice-chair. Ms. Burch made a motion to approve. Mr. Randolph provided the second. Motion carried.
Chairman Bailey 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 the Paw Paw Old Mayor's Office and Jail, the Davis and Elkins College Historic District, the Henry and Julia Hoard Stark House, and Downtown Parkersburg Historic District were listed on the National Register. Mr. Straley also noted several upcoming nominations.
Chairman Bailey noted that the Spring meeting will tentatively be held in Huntington on June 14, 2024. The Fall meeting will tentatively be held at Cacapon Resort.
Mr. Randolph made a motion to adjourn, and Chairman Bailey declared the meeting adjourned at 3:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Aaron Parsons
Secretary