The September meeting of the Historical Society was very productive with 14 officers and directors in attendance.

The purpose of the meeting was to brainstorm in order to rejuvenate the organization. To put things in perspective, the officers talked about the origins of the society and even read the minutes of the very first meetings of the society as it set itself up 49 years ago. They also spoke of the society’s many past projects and the current society responsibilities.

Then the participants split into three groups to discuss things that members felt were needed, and also things that they would like to see the society tackle in the future. This task was tackled with enthusiasm.  The three lists were read aloud and President Matt Tate agreed to tabulate these excellent ideas for consideration at the October meeting.

They included (in no particular order):
•2011 is the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War-this should be commemorated, possibly starting with listing local combatants.
•Support of Pioneer Days returning to its roots, with more historical emphasis
•Need for secure archives (+ archivist)
Maintain the Museum building and make people comfortable with loaning/donating items
Need a membership secretary to remind people to pay dues
Need programs-events, activities, speakers
50th anniversary of Historical Society approaching-celebrate
•150th anniversary of statehood of West Virginia-celebrate
•McClintic Library's Heritage Room needs to be open on Saturdays
•Historical Society needs to produce more books to sell (photographs, update of County History....)
•Change displays at museum for current celebrations, reunions etc.
•Do living history presentations in  various parts of the county
•On Cass Train days, the museum should be open earlier
•Need a building committee to oversee the restoration, repair and maintenance of the Museum and      other properties
•Work with Snowshoe and the CVB to develop motor coach traffic to the museum
•Encourage more volunteers
•Publicity, publicity, publicity
•Encourage school groups and other groups to visit the museum and take an interest in local history
•Newsletter and historical articles more often

The group decided to hold its next meeting at the museum (people should dress warmly) at 6 p.m. on Monday, October 25, to look over the museum building and displays, and to discuss these ideas and any others that the members would like to present.  Everyone is welcome; we will need many people to get started on this ambitious list, but having seen how quickly the new society homed in on an agenda and got to work, we have an excellent model. Please look at the above list and think which idea appeals to you.

Although we bade farewell to our museum hostesses on September 18, society members have been  very busy.  They have already put in more than 40 additional volunteer hours keeping the museum open and helping visitors with family history, as well as selling books at festivals and showing the old jail at Huntersville to the public. We have discovered that the museum has become a “destination,”especially as news of our holdings have been publicized on the internet.

Out of state visitors come hundreds of miles to see the Martha Davis Bible, the Gatewood Plantation records, our Civil War information and artifacts, our photos, records and displays on the logging history, and our collection of early tools and household equipment; many of the visitors have family roots in the county and are eager to learn more about the area where their ancestors first settled.  Although the “season” is over, people are still traveling and if we stop by the museum, visitors stop by, too.  

St John’s Episcopal Church  loaned us their one-piece picnic tables this summer, which, set-up on the front porch, not only can be used for picnics, but serve nicely as places to do research or organize and set up displays, while enjoying the breeze from the river. When the parishioners came for a picnic last Saturday, we picked up 12 additional visitors, who happened by the museum. So, we have had over 900 visitors this summer; we have invited the schools to bring groups and will open up the museum on request, if we are available. Call 304-799-4369, if you would like to visit before the weather gets too cold.