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William David Bailey has dedicated more than 16 years to the Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard, American Legion Post 54. In addition to serving as commander of the post, he participates in military burials and flag retirements, and he maintains firearms and equipment needed for honor guard services. Bailey also is a member of the Disabled American Veterans.
Nominated by Mercer County Historical Society
Entrepreneur and property owner Dean Connors has transformed multiple buildings in Wheeling. His efforts to revitalize and champion the historic Plaza on Market area have been widely recognized and his impact has been profound. He often can be found in the Plaza telling its history. Connors is a member of Wheeling Heritage board of directors and was appointed by Wheeling's mayor to the Waterfront Enhancement Committee, a group tasked with studying ways to improve the economic sustainability of the historic waterfront area. He also hosts a weekly radio show with the mayor to promote history, activities, and businesses.
Nominated by Victorian Old Town Association
Robert "Cotty" Farley conceived of and developed a project called "Inspiration Hall" designed to motivate students to make their mark on history. Housed at the Summers County Comprehensive High School cafeteria, the Inspiration Hall gallery uses photos and memorabilia to showcase outstanding county residents, both living and dead, who made an impact at the national level. Farley spent hours researching famous people from Summers County in all fields for recognition in an annual ceremony at the high school.
Nominated by Summers County Historical Society
Jon-Erik Gilot has advanced the study of West Virginia during the Civil War era through his writings in books, journals, magazines, and social platforms, and he is a contributing historian to the Emerging Civil War blog. As a popular lecturer and host of a monthly Civil War lecture series, he has worked to promote both West Virginia topics and historians. A professional archivist and curator, Gilot also has been active in historic preservation with several Wheeling-area organizations, including the Wheeling Historic Landmarks Commission, West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation, and Friends of Wheeling. He also is curator at the Captain Thomas Espy Grand Army of the Republic Post in Carnegie, PA.
Nominated by Ohio Valley Civil War Roundtable
Jeffrey R. Golinveaux is current vice president of the Rowlesburg Area Historical Society and served as curator in 2023. He has helped with maintenance of the organization's historic structures, including cleaning, mowing, and repair of old windows in the museum. Golinveaux has worked at the museum on holiday weekends, opened and closed the Cannon Hill site on summer and fall weekends, and taken visitors on tours of the site. He also assists with book sales at town events and other fundraisers.
Nominated by Rowlesburg Area Historical Society
Site manager Kara D. Gordon has developed creative, popular programs at the Cockayne Farmstead in Glen Dale to transport visitors of all ages to the Victorian era. In May 2021, she staged two Victorian wedding re-enactments, outfitting participants in period attire that she made by hand. In 2022 and 2023, Gordon organized a World War II Weekend that featured a wartime encampment at which visitors learn from soldier re-enactors and a 1940s house, a Boot Camp Obstacle Course, and a 1940s swing dance. She also has made traveling trunks for both time periods for use in teaching hands-on history during visits to local schools.
Nominated by Fort Henry Chapter, National Society Sons of the American Revolution
Gene Gray has provided extensive historical information on the Gray Dairy Farm to the Marshall County Historical Society. He donated personal collections on the dairy to the museum, including the farm's milking machine, bottle caps and a rare bottle, and he continues to contribute information on other local businesses of the last century, including a photo album. These items are on display for others to see, and Gray also provided monetary donations that have enhanced the quality of the display.
Nominated by Marshall County Historical Society
Roy T. Hardy is an advocate for veterans and military organizations in Mineral County, and he has worked closely with the Mineral County Historical Society on military subjects. He has researched every county man and woman who died in service and compiled a biography on each one, which he posts on Facebook. Hardy has been instrumental in helping the society with recognition of the county's three Tuskegee Airmen. The project involves a wall display with biographies and photographs, and Hardy has acquired the jacket, medals, and dog tags for one of the men, which were framed for display in the museum.
Nominated by Mineral County Historical Society
Stephen and N. Catherine Howerton have contributed to history education through their portrayal of Jefferson and Varina Davis. The couple spent many hours researching the Davis family, and they dress in period costume for their portrayals of the Davises and for other period events. In addition, the Howertons have been involved in educational programs at Guyandotte Civil War Days. Catherine Howerton has held several offices with the Border Rangers Chapter 2580, United Daughters of the Confederacy, and currently is vice president, and she also has been the chair of the Benevolent Committee, to which Stephen contributed. Both have participated in memorial services and reinterments.
Nominated by Border Rangers Chapter 2580, United Daughters of the Confederacy
Jane Hughes is a stellar volunteer at the Greenbrier Historical Society archives and library. A retired librarian, she has separated archival records from library records in the cataloging system, cataloged the family genealogy collection, re-catalogued the Lewisburg homes collection, and documented and cataloged the Greenbrier County Courthouse ledgers that were stored offsite. Hughes has purchased and donated local history books and many materials for the cataloging process. She also helps visitors with their research. In 2022, she helped with research for an article in the society's journal. This past year, she researched data and photos for the book, Homes Among the Hills, for the society's tour fundraiser.
Nominated by Greenbrier Historical Society
For more than 40 years, Charles Anthony Julian has provided valuable historical research assistance for local researchers and genealogists. While at WVU-Potomac State College, he spearheaded efforts to digitize campus and local newspapers and make them available online. Since he returned to Wheeling, Julian has concentrated his efforts on capturing local history related to the Warwood section of town, compiling research, providing programs, and encouraging residents to find the "compelling narratives" in their locales. Other projects include inventorying and documenting occupants of Mount de Chantal Visitation Cemetery and researching Wheeling architect George Bradley Cunningham. Julian also served several years on the West Virginia Library Commission.
Nominated by Friends of Wheeling
Kathy L. Kidd works countless hours to help others learn about their families in Roane County and surrounding areas. She has located burial places and documents on births, deaths, and marriages for families. Kidd helped sort books in the library, clearing out those that could be sold and moving and cleaning shelves. For several years, she also has helped the Roane County Historical Society at its annual fair. A charter member of the Tanner's Cross Roads Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, she is current chapter regent.
Nominated by Roane County Historical Society
A member of the Hacker's Creek Pioneer Descendants board of directors, Rick Lang is also a photographer, and he contributes to the society vision of having photos digitized and identified for future generations. He takes photos of HCPD events and classes, as well as historical sites, cemeteries, and family monuments. He also repairs photos. Lang volunteers his time to help scan and identify many of the society's photographs.
Nominated by Hacker's Creek Pioneer Descendants, Inc.
Karen Rebecca "Becky" Ivan Leach has contributed immensely to the achievement of the Raleigh County Historical Society's public education and preservation missions. She brings a hard-charging, "get the job done" mindset that quickly identifies key tasks and develops workable solutions. In addition to serving as society secretary, Leach has taken the lead in planning, organizing, and getting people for the annual Founder's Day, Christmas at Wildwood, Wildwood Open House, and other events. She sews garments for re-enactors in parades and Wildwood events, works with the historical marker program, helped form the African American division of the genealogy club, and researches information requests.
Nominated by Raleigh County Historical Society
A member of the Carter G. Woodson Memorial Foundation board of directors for several years, Sara Loftus recently became corresponding secretary for the organization. She is actively involved in efforts to rehabilitate the Memphis Tennessee Garrison House into a museum for recognition of Garrison's accomplishments. Loftus has been steadfast in promoting awareness of Carter G. Woodson, and she is preparing a community newsletter that will highlight the accomplishments of not only Woodson and Garrison but also the local Barnett family and other prominent African Americans who have made significant contributions to history.
Nominated by Carter G. Woodson Memorial Foundation, Inc.
Dawn Denise Plymale McComas helped establish the Cooney Ricketts Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, in 2018 and has served on several committees since then. She has participated in numerous activities of the organization, including memorial services and parades. McComas portrays a southern belle at re-enactments and participates in Education Day, assisting with flag presentations and demonstrating fashion of the Civil War era. Recently, she spearheaded the collection of "Coins for Cooney" to provide funds for the installation of a highway historical marker on the chapter's namesake, Cooney Ricketts, in Guyandotte.
Nominated by Cooney Ricketts Chapter 2726, United Daughters of the Confederacy
Mark McComas has given his time, talents, and energy to promote historical education and information to the Jackson County Historical Society, and his research and knowledge have also been shared with Ravenswood High School and Jackson County communities. A professional artist, he has depicted George Washington and his connection to the area on a wall in Ravenswood. McComas created a display about railroads in the county for Heritage Festival in 2023 and dis-played it at the Great Bend Museum. He also has given tours of routes of now-defunct railroad lines. President of the historical society since January, McComas previously served as vice president.
Nominated by Jackson County Historical Society
Pedro "Peter" Ottaviano, a pulmonary doctor at the VA Medical Center in Huntington, developed a harmonica historical spiritual class/presentation to assist COPD patients. Not only do these classes teach harmonica as a breathing exercise; they also teach African American spirituals and the history of the Underground Railroad. Ottaviano gave his presentation at the Madie Carroll House during Guyandotte Civil War Days, demonstrating to about 200 children the use of the harmonica by Underground Railroad operators to send coded messages. He also made a full presentation of his Underground Railroad demonstration and gave attendees harmonicas and sheet music.
Nominated by Madie Carroll House Preservation Society, Inc.
With more than a decade of experience as a living history presenter, Aaron Lee Owens has assisted the General Hugh Mercer Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, at numerous living history events such as day camps for students, the Mercer County Heritage Festival, and the Mercer County Fair. He portrays a soldier in Revolutionary War Virginia, as well as a long hunter and a late 18th-century farmer. Owens also helps other members in developing a historical impression. In April 2023, he was part of a West Virginia delegation that attended an international ceremony at Camden Battlefield that honored and re-interred 14 Revolutionary War soldiers.
Nominated by General Hugh Mercer Chapter, National Society Sons of the American Revolution
Acting president of Guyandotte Civil War Days, Dylan Patrick first participated in the annual event as a young middle school cadet in Mike Sheets's Western Virginia Military Academy. Since then, he has served as a member of several committees, including lecture series, memorial service, ball, and sutlers, and as chair of the program committee. Patrick also served as liaison with the cadets. Vice president of the organization from January to September 2023, he became acting president in September after the president resigned. Had it not been for Patrick's determination and love of history, the event would not have taken place in 2023.
Nominated by Guyandotte Civil War Days and Raid on Guyandotte, Inc.
Robin Rowe has been instrumental in keeping the Wayne County Genealogical and Historical Society alive during a period of significant change. She was a driving force in getting the new library open, and she devotes many hours to it. Corresponding secretary, she handles the mail and communicates with other organizations. Rowe also is an administrator for the Facebook page and is part of a cemetery restoration group that cleans and repairs dilapidated cemeteries.
Nominated by Wayne County Genealogical and Historical Society
Derrick Smith has been a key member of Preservation Alliance of West Virginia's (PAWV) Historic Trades Task Force where he has provided subject matter expertise in strategic planning sessions to help the organization respond to the storage of historic trades workers in West Virginia. He has partnered with PAWV to provide educational presentations to students in Marshall County. For more than 10 years, Smith has helped with historic wood window restoration workshops across the state, educating homeowners, site stewards, and AmeriCorps members. His assistance has helped PAWV to reach more people and to preserve West Virginia's significant cultural resources.
Nominated by Preservation Alliance of West Virginia
While also pursuing his doctoral degree, Benjamin Susman volunteered more than 60 hours of time at Arthurdale Heritage in 2023. Much of that time was spent in the archives, where he helped to accession new items, including a sizeable donation of letters that had water damage, and to organize the oral history collection of more than 140 recordings. In addition, Susman volunteered at the annual Goat Gallop 5K Run/Walk in June and the New Deal Festival in July. His willingness to serve and utilize his skills and knowledge as a historian was a significant contribution to Arthurdale in 2023.
Nominated by Arthurdale Heritage, Inc.
Julie Taylor has preserved thousands of Pendleton County photos. Using social media, she found or identified photos of many World War I soldiers, and she helped locate sports photos for an exhibit at the Boggs House Museum. Her posts have also generated interest in county history. Taylor currently is helping with an exhibit for the 100th anniversary of the Franklin fire. In addition to collecting photos, she is using her graphic design background to help create a map of Franklin in 1924 for the exhibit, has designed a street banner to advertise the program, and is designing a Franklin Burn District walking tour brochure.
Nominated by Pendleton County Historical Society
A former military historian, Peter Taylor was immediately drawn to the rich history of the Clarksburg area after he moved to the community. He has volunteered at the Harrison County West Virginia Historical Society for the past four years and is a member of the board of directors. Taylor catalogued items in the Neff-Hardesty Archives and was a storyteller at last year's Spooky Tales event. He also has researched and written two books related to Harrison County Civil War history and is researching the career and 1924 political campaign of John W. Davis. Taylor frequently speaks at the Stonewall Jackson Civil War Roundtable.
Nominated by Harrison County West Virginia Historical Society, Inc.
Terry Williamson has volunteered at the Cockayne Farmstead for the past three years and has become an indispensable volunteer. She spearheaded the Community Victory Garden project and has managed the maintenance of all the farmstead grounds, often spending hours in the hot sun weeding, planting, watering, and trimming. A former kindergarten teacher, Williamson also assists the site manager with the new Traveling Trunk program that has taken history to more than 1,500 school students in the past year. The first to volunteer for every event, she helped to plan and hold the two largest events: the Garden Tea and World War II Weekend.
Nominated by the Cockayne Farmstead
Bob Wing has been an integral part of the Mason County Veterans Memorial project. He chaired the committee that determined the criteria for inclusion of a veteran's name on the memorial and has been a consultant on the building of the memorial, making sure that Phase 1 was paid for and built to specifications. Wing created a website and a Facebook page to share project and historical information with the public and to promote fundraising, and he has scanned hundreds of pages and made hundreds of posts since 2022. His efforts have helped ensure that more than 6,000 veterans from Mason County will be on the memorial.
Nominated by the Mason County West Virginia Veterans Memorial
Alfred "Fred" Ziegler has held several offices with the Monroe County Historical Society and served two terms as president. A tireless researcher, presenter, and published author, he continues to make invaluable contributions to the knowledge of the county's history. Ziegler has contributed substantially to saving historic structures in Union, and he has written many successful grant applications for maintenance of the society's five historic buildings. He spearheaded funding and construction of a new museum to display the society's Omnibus and other horse-drawn vehicles. At his urging, an endowment fund was started to ensure that the society remains a relevant resource for scholars, researchers, and the community.
Nominated by Monroe County Historical Society