Due to the pandemic, the Archives and History Commission held an on-line meeting via Zoom video conferencing. Chairman Nathan Randolph called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. In addition to Chairman Randolph, other voting members present were Tommy Bailey, Dr. Melissa Bingmann, Tracy Burch, Laura Carroll, Dan Gatts, Darlene Hassler, Dr. Charles Ledbetter, Audy Perry, Darla Spencer, and Dr. David Trowbridge. Voting members absent were Dr. Robert Conte and Nat DeBruin. 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; Randall Reid-Smith, curator of the Department of Arts, Culture and History; and J. Logan Smith, president of Preservation Alliance of West Virginia. Also present were Historic Preservation staff members Christy Moore and Emily Vance.
Chairman Randolph asked for a motion on the Fall meeting minutes of October 9, 2020. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Dr. Bingmann with a second by Ms. Carroll. Motion carried.
Chairman Randolph then asked for approval of the agenda. Mr. Perry made a motion to approve the agenda, and Mr. Bailey provided a second. Motion carried.
Chairman Randolph called upon Mr. Geiger for the Archives and History report. Mr. Geiger provided monthly reports for August through December (copies attached to official minutes) and reviewed section activities, including cooperative efforts with the State Department of Education, Records Management and Preservation Board grants, and collections. He also related that the marker book was being printed.
Chairman Randolph then called upon Ms. Pierce for the Historic Preservation report. Ms. Pierce reviewed section activities, noting that the 2020 end-of-year report had been submitted to the National Park Service. Several new staff members had been hired. The 2021 calendar had been mailed, and work has begun on the 2022 publication. Ms. Pierce also discussed the discovery of some signature panels in the Capitol dome. They were damaged, but efforts to restore them have been initiated. Curator Reid-Smith confirmed that no site visits were being conducted at this time.
Chairman Randolph then called upon Mr. Morris for the Museums report. Mr. Morris reviewed section activities, including a coloring contest at Independence Hall. He informed members that the sites remained open with regular schedules and were operating smoothly. Morris also observed they had received more than 220 entries for the "Almost Heaven" Governor's Art Exhibition.
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, including History Bowl, pending legislation, space realignment, and internship and fellowship programs. He also noted that March 1 was History Day and read a proclamation issued by Governor Justice commemorating the day.
Chairman Randolph then called upon J. Logan Smith for the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia report. He referred members to his report (copy attached to official minutes) and reviewed activities, including the AmeriCorps program and a grants program. He noted that 2021 marked the fortieth anniversary of PAWV and observed that the organization’s conference was being moved to the spring.
Chairman Randolph then called upon Hanna Law for the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey report. She reviewed activities, noting that staff were working hybrid schedules and that five new geologists had been hired. The computer and phone systems are being upgraded, as is the museum.
Due to Mr. Armstrong's absence, there was no report from the West Virginia Historical Society.
Chairman Randolph then recognized Dr. Ledbetter, who made a motion that the Commission convey their appreciation to all of the Arts, Culture and History volunteers and a special thanks to Pat McClure for the extraordinary number of volunteer hours she has given in assisting Archives and History. Ms. Burch provided a second, and the motion carried.
Turning to New Business, Chairman Randolph called for the presentation of the National Register nominations.
Taylor's Meadow, Shepherdstown vicinity, Jefferson County, nominated under Criterion A for Agriculture, Ethnic Heritage: Black, and Exploration/Settlement, and Criterion C for Architecture, with a period of significance of 1734-1970, was presented by John Demer. Following the presentation, Dr. Bingmann suggested that the nomination include context noting the connection with Henry Clay and the larger plan to move both freed and enslaved African Americans to Africa. Dr. Ledbetter asked about the architect, who is unknown, and noted that African Americans were often involved in the construction of structures from this time period. Ms. Burch moved for approval of the nomination, and Ms. Carroll provided the second. Motion carried.
Graham-Davis Historic District, Elkins, Randolph County, nominated under Criterion A for Community Planning and Development and Criterion C for Architecture, with a period of significance of 1895-circa 1965, was presented by David Taylor. Following the presentation, Dr. Bingmann moved for approval of the nomination, and Dr. Ledbetter provided the second. Motion carried.
West Virginia State University Faculty House Historic District, Institute, Kanawha County, nominated under Criterion A for Education, Ethnic Heritage: Black, and Social History: New Deal, and Criterion C for Architecture, with a period of significance of 1934-1970, was presented by Courtney Zimmerman. Dr. Ledbetter suggested being careful with wording when discussing available public education for both white and African American students. Dr. Ledbetter moved for approval of the nomination, and Dr. Bingmann provided the second. Motion carried.
Spring Grove, Charles Town vicinity, Jefferson County, nominated under Criterion A for Ethnic Heritage: Black and Criterion C for Architecture, with a period of significance of 1790-1910, was presented by Emily Vance. Following the presentation, Dr. Bingmann and Dr. Ledbetter suggested that the nomination be revised to provide greater historical content for enslaved and freed people to strengthen the justification for listing under Criterion A – Ethnic Heritage: Black. Dr. Bingmann moved for approval of the nomination, and Dr. Ledbetter provided the second. Motion carried.
Chairman Randolph then called on Ms. Pierce for the 2021 Survey and Planning Grants. Ms. Pierce summarized the applications and proposed grant awards. Ms. Law, who served as a member of the review committee, noted the group met and scored the applications and made recommendations. Ms. Carroll made a motion to approve the recommendations for the FY2021 Survey and Planning 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. Ms. Burch provided the second. Motion carried.
Chairman Randolph announced the appointment of Dr. Bingmann and Ms. Carroll to serve as a committee to nominate a chair and vice-chair at the Spring meeting.
Chairman Randolph then called on Ms. Vance for a report on National Register nominations previously submitted. She informed members that the Gum Farmstead Historic District, Mountain Home (boundary increase), Charmco Building, and The Rocks nominations have all been approved by the National Park Service. The St. Albans Railroad Industry Historic District and the West Virginia Schools for the Colored Deaf and Blind nominations are pending, and the First Congregational Church of Ceredo nomination was returned for revisions.
Chairman Randolph noted that the Spring meeting will be held at the offices of the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 4. The Fall meeting will be held on October 8 in Lewisburg.
Dr. Ledbetter made a motion to adjourn and Chairman Randolph declared the meeting adjourned at 3:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph N. Geiger, Jr.
Secretary