Descriptive Summary
Title: West Virginia History: Writings of Adrian S. Gwin
Span Dates: 1949-1979
Bulk Dates:
ID No: Ms2023-017
Creator: Adrian S. Gwin
Extent: 1 linear feet. 2 boxes, 1 flip-top letter size document box, 1 flip-top legal size document box, 47 folders, 3 books.
Language: English
Repository: West Virginia State Archives, Charleston, WV
Conditions on Use and Access: None
Copyright: Copyright restrictions may apply.
Abstract: The materials within this collection includes Gwin's notes for potential articles, newspaper clippings, his publications, and photographs.
Administrative Information
Donor: This collection was donated to West Virginia Archives and History at The Cultural Center by John M. Gwin in September 2022
Transfers: Photographs have been arranged and placed under Ph2023-017
Preferred Citation: [item, collection number], West Virginia History: Writings of Adrian S. Gwin, West Virginia State Archives, Charleston, WV.
Processor: Processed by Bethany Arbaugh March 2023. The collection was processed in original order given by donor, John M. Gwin.
Biographical Note: Adrian Gwin was born in 1916 in Selma, Alabama. He graduated from Tulane University in 1942 and became a journalist for a Charleston, West Virginia newspaper. Gwin also married his wife, Dorothy Lee Keeney, a West Virginia native, the same year.
He was a columnist for the Charleston Daily Mail for fifty years. He wrote news pieces and human interest stories. During his journalistic career, Gwin published three books. Gwin served in World War II, his only other break in his writing career until he retired in 1981. Gwin and his wife moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, in 1999. In 2001, at the age of 84, Adrian S. Gwin passed away.
Sources of Information: Desktop, This Cluttered. "Our Man Gwin - the Writings of Adrian S. Gwin." Our Man Gwin - The Writings of Adrian S. Gwin, https://www.ourmangwin.net/.
"Newsman-Columnist Adrian Gwin Dies at 84." Las Cruces Sun-News, 8 May 2001, pp. A6–A6.
Contents List:
Box 1
1:1 Newspaper articles by Adrian Gwin concerning the P.A. Denny downriver journey, 1976
1:2 Newspaper articles by Adrian Gwin concerning the P.A. Denny downriver journey, 1976
1:3 Handwritten notes taken by Adrian Gwin while traveling a board the P.A. Denny, 1976
1:4 "Adrian Gwin and the Great Kanawha River Navy," Office of the Admiralty, The Great Kanawha River Navy
1:5 Letters to Adrian Gwin concerning articles written by him 1975-1978
1:6 Letter from Gov. Cecil H. Underwood to Adrian Gwin concerning his article "Spy in the SKy," Bethany, WV, May 8, 1975
1:7 Rebuttals to articles published by Adrian Gwin
1:8 Misc. letters to Adrian Gwin, 1972-1978
1:9 Letterhead, Charleston Daily Mail, n.d.
1:10 Envelope, Charleston Daily Mail, n.d.
1:11 Booklet, "Retirement Plan for Employees of the Charleston Daily Mail," effective date Dec. 1, 1949
1:12 Booklet, "Employee Benefit Plan: Charleston Daily Mail, Charleston Gazette and Gazette-Mail," 1959
1:13 Booklet, "About Your Company: Charleston Newspapers," Nov. 9, 1979
1:14 Program, "West Virginia Centennial Statehood Day," Charleston, WV, June 20, 1963
1:15 Program, "Hail West Virginia: A Centennial Spectacular," Presented by Kanawha County Classroom Teachers Assoc., Morris Harvey College Auditorium, April 20, 1963
1:16 Program, "Mountain State Art and Craft Fair," Cedar Lakes, RIpley, WV July 3-7, 1963
1:17 Pamphlet, Tri-Management News, Jan. 1983
1:18 Certificate, Certificate of Merit for Distinguished Service to Adrian Gwin, awarded by the Disabled American Veterans, Department of West Virginia, Jan. 17, 1958
1:19 Certificate, American Press Certificate of Appreciation awarded to Adrian Gwin by the St. Albans Jaycees and the United States Jaycees, Jan. 27, 1981
1:20 "Requiem for the desk of John D. Maurice," May 1, 1978
1:21 Misc. business cards, n.d.
1:22 National Scout Jamboree Tage, Adrian S. Gwin, 1977
1:23 Sticker, West Virginia State Seal, n.d.
1:24 Wooden nickel from St. Albans town fair, 1976
Book, "Never Grow Old with Our Man Gwin," by Adrian Gwin, 1981.
Book, "Rovin' the Years with Our Man Gwin," by Adrian Gwin, 1982.
Book, "Once Upon Ago: Looking Back with Adrian Gwin," 1993.
Box 2
2:1 Newspaper clipping, "Woman seeks to Exorcize Fable of Headless Ghost," by Adrian Gwin, Charleston Daily Mail, Nov. 10, 1978 (w/accompanying letter by Delma Hickman Dorsey)
2:2 Misc. newspaper articles by Adrian Gwin for Charleston Daily Mail (1 of 2)
2:3 Misc. newspaper articles by Adrian Gwin for Charleston Daily Mail (2 of 2)
2:4 Notes for potential story, Don Flesher of Ripley, WV, n.d.
2:5 Notes for potential story, Freddie Neale, retired printer and newspaperman for Charleston Daily Mail, n.d.
2:6 Notes for potential story, Dr. W. W. Duff, n.d.
2:7 Notes for potential story, "The Substitute Teacher" (Adrian Gwin at Highlawn Elementary School), n.d.
2:8 Notes for potential story, Mr. and Mrs. William C. Markle's store in Clay Co., n.d.
2:9 Notes for potential story, Mary Lou Dickinson, tennis player, n.d.
2:10 Notes for potential story, Ron Dozier of Craigsville, n.d.
2:11 Notes for potential story, S.D. "Red" Truman, who built his own tractor, n.d.
2:12 Notes for potential story, Skeen Signs, 1977
2:13 Notes for potential story, Charlie Carlson and mining history of Kanawha State Forest, 1976
2:14 Notes for potential story, John C. Davis, Jr. of Buffalo, WV and his 1873 copy of the Declaration of Independence, n.d.
2:15 Notes for potential story, Hallie Carver, n.d.
2:16 Notes for potential story, how to be a successful newspaper journalist, n.d.
2:17 Notes for potential story, photos owned by G. J. Floyd of construction of Burlew Opera House and crowd at Fleetwood Hotel (contains photos), n.d.
2:18 Notes for potential story, "Destination . . . Star Love" by Christopher Robin, circa 1979
2:19 Notes for potential story, Willard Sentor, arrowhead maker (contains photos)
2:20 Notes for potential story, "Sammy Koontz of Koontz Funeral Home at Hamlin" - concerning snakeskin used on wall in Smoke House Tavern in Hamlin, n.d.
2:21 Notes for potential story, "Diary of William S. Shepherd" written on his way to the Battle of Sharpsburg, where he was killed, Sept. 17th, 1862
2:22 Notes for potential story, misc.
2:23 "Early History of Area where North Bend State Park is Located" (xerox copy) n.d.