Due to the pandemic, the Archives and History Commission held an on-line meeting via Zoom video conferencing. Staff from the Department of Arts, Culture and History convened in the Archives and History Library. Chairman Nathan Randolph called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m. In addition to Chairman Randolph, other voting members present were Tommy Bailey, Dr. Melissa Bingmann, Tracy Burch, Laura Carroll, Dr. Robert Conte, Dan Gatts, Darlene Hassler Godwin, Dr. Charles Ledbetter, Darla Spencer, and Dr. David Trowbridge. Voting members absent were Nat DeBruin and Audy Perry. Ex officio voting member absent was Fredrick Armstrong. Ex officio non-voting members present were Joe Geiger, director, Archives and History Section; Hanna Law, West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey; Charles Morris, director, Museums Section; Susan Pierce, director, Historic Preservation Section; and Randall Reid-Smith, curator of the Department of Arts, Culture and History. Ex officio non-voting member absent was J. Logan Smith, president of Preservation Alliance of West Virginia. Also present were Historic Preservation staff member Emily Vance, National Register nomination presenters, and interested members of the public.
Chairman Randolph asked for a motion on the Spring meeting minutes of June 17, 2020. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Dr. Conte with a second by Ms. Carroll. Motion carried.
Chairman Randolph then asked for approval of the agenda. Mr. Bailey made a motion to approve the agenda, and Ms. Burch provided a second. Motion carried.
Chairman Randolph called upon Mr. Geiger for the Archives and History report. Mr. Geiger provided Archives and History monthly reports for June and July, and the Archives and History annual report (copies attached to official minutes) and reviewed section activities.
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.
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.
Chairman Randolph then called upon Curator Reid-Smith for the Department of Arts, Culture and History report. Curator Reid-Smith reviewed activities by the department.
Chairman Randolph then called upon Hanna Law for the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey. She reviewed activities and noted that their building had re-opened to the public.
No reports were given by the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia or the West Virginia Historical Society, although it was noted by Mr. Geiger that the historical society publication would be mailed in the next week.
Turning to New Business, Chairman Randolph called for the presentation of the National Register nominations.
First Congregational Church of Ceredo, Wayne County, nominated under Criterion C, Architecture, and Criteria Consideration A, Religious Properties, with a period of significance of 1886 and 1926, was presented by Cody Straley. Following the presentation, Dr. Conte moved for approval of the nomination, and Dr. Bingmann provided the second. Motion carried.
Charmco Building, Kanawha County, nominated under Criteria A and C, Industry, Transportation and Architecture, with a period of significance of 1914 to 1956, was presented by Michael Gioulis. Following the presentation, Dr. Ledbetter moved for approval of the nomination, and Ms. Burch provided the second. Motion carried.
Gum Farmstead Historic District, Lewis County, nominated under Criteria A and C, Agriculture and Architecture, with a period of significance of 1902-1948, was presented by Emily Vance. Following the presentation, Ms. Carroll moved for approval of the nomination, and Dr. Conte provided the second. Motion carried.
The Rocks, Jefferson County, nominated under Criteria A and C, Exploration/Settlement, Agriculture, Ethnic Heritage and Architecture, with a period of significance of 1750-1940, was presented by John Demer. Following the presentation, Dr. Conte moved for approval of the nomination, and Ms. Carroll provided the second. Motion carried.
Chairman Randolph then called on Ms. Vance for an update on previous National Register nominations. She informed members that the Mountain Home and St. Albans Railroad Industry Historic District had been returned for revisions, and the Princeton Post Office, National Bank of Davis, and Oak Hill High School nominations had all been listed.
Chairman Randolph noted that the Winter meeting will be held at the Culture Center at 1:00 p.m. on March 1, 2021, in conjunction with History Day. The Spring meeting will be held on June 4, 2021, at the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey offices in Morgantown.
Dr. Ledbetter made a motion to adjourn and Chairman Randolph declared the meeting adjourned at 10:47 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph N. Geiger, Jr.
Secretary