Pocahontas County is a treasure chest of history. The first settlers crossed the Alleghenies in 1749, and thus, the roots of families and communities run deep.
Without special effort and proper care of collections local history can quickly disappear. Pocahontas County is rich in people who care about its history. This project will provide the resources to help them preserve it and share it with the world.
The Historic Preservation Project will identify, stabilize, curate and store papers, pictures, records, recordings and artifacts. We will capture writings, photographs, interviews, buildings, and artifacts as digital images, sound files and text. We will create and maintain a Digital Library on the World Wide Web where digitized material will be freely available to researchers, historians, students and genealogists. And, we will facilitate community building by working with individuals and organizations as they exchange ideas and showcase their hard work.
Neighbor working with neighbor is the cornerstone of "Preserving Pocahontas." People in our communities will be actively engaged in this project as they are trained in the digitization process. Families and individuals will be encouraged to have their records and photographs digitized and to share those materials with the project.
To learn more, visit pocahontaspreservation.org.
Dr. Burner House in Durbin - 1912
This house in Durbin was built by Dr. P. D. Arbogast in the early 1900s.ﾠ It was purchased by Dr. A. E. Burner in 1911.ﾠ Pictured in this 1912 photograph are (left to right) Mrs. Virginia Clark Burner, Miss Emma Burner and Dr. Allen Eugene Burner.
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PRESERVATION NEWS
Scanner available at McClintic Library
A portable hand-held scanner is now available at the McClintic Library in Marlinton for folks who wish to scan their family photos and documents to be included in the county's Preservation Digital Library and Archive.ﾠ Call the library at 304-799-6000 to reserve the scanner.ﾠﾠ
If you are interested in volunteering for the Preservation Project or having your photos scanned please contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
Visit The Pocahontas County Historic Preservation Project website atﾠ www.pocahontaspreservation.org
How can I safely mount my documents, memorabilia, and photographs
into albums or scrapbooks?
The method you use to assemble scrapbooks, photograph albums or memory books can enhance the preservation of the items or can cause irreversible negative effects. Mounting with the following materials should be avoided: synthetic glue (white glue), rubber cement, pressure-sensitive tapes and films, staples or hot glue gun adhesives. These materials have poor aging qualities which can physically damage and/or discolor paper and photographs.
Albums with self-stick pages ("magnetic pages") should be avoided as well due to the adhesive used on the mounting page. There are several safe alternatives for mounting. Valuable items such as birth certificates, family letters and photographs should be mounted without use of glue or other adhesives. Envelopes and sleeves made of stable plastics such as polyester and polypropylene can hold the materials and be used as album pages. An alternative for sleeves and envelopes are corners made from plastic films, such as polypropylene and polyester, or paper.
Plastic and paper corners which are to be used for photographic memorabilia should be made of a material which passes the Photographic Activity Test (PAT). The PAT was developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and is a test that determines whether or not a storage material will cause fading or staining of photographs. The PAT standard is ANSI IT9.16, Photographic Activity Test. Many manufacturers test their products with the PAT and advertise storage materials which pass the PAT.
Paper corners which are to be used only with paper memorabilia need only pass the standard for permanent paper ANSI/NISO Z39.48, Permanence of Paper for Publication of Documents in Libraries and Archives. This standard specifies the characteristics of paper that is of a permanent nature and which will not harm other documents with which it is in contact.
Information courtesy of The National Archives.ﾠ www.archives.gov
Do You Know Who I Am?
We do not know the name of the woman in this photograph.ﾠ Please call the Preservation Officer at 304-799-3989 if you know who she is.
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PRESERVATION NEWS
Scanner Available Now in Hillsboro
A portable hand-held scanner is now available at the Hillsboro Public Library for folks who wish to scan their family photos and documents to be included in the county's Preservation Digital Library and Archive.ﾠ Call the library at 304-653-4936 to reserve the scanner.ﾠﾠ
If you are interested in volunteering for the Preservation Project or having your photos scanned please contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
Visit The Pocahontas County Historic Preservation Project website atﾠ www.pocahontaspreservation.org
How do I preserve my family papers?
Paper preservation requires proper storage and safe handling practices. Your family documents will last longer if they are stored in a stable environment, similar to that which we find comfortable for ourselves: 60-70 degrees F; 40-50% relative humidity (RH); with clean air and good circulation. High heat and moisture accelerate the chemical processes that result in embrittlement and discoloration to the paper. Damp environments may also result in mold growth and/or be conducive to pests that might use the documents for food or nesting material. Therefore, the central part of your home provides a safer storage environment than a hot attic or damp basement.
Light is also damaging to paper, especially that which contains high proportions of ultra violet, i.e., fluorescent and natural daylight. The effects of light exposure are cumulative and irreversible; they promote chemical degradation in the paper and fade inks. It is not recommended to permanently display valuable documents for this reason. Color photocopies or photographs work well as surrogates.
Family papers should be stored in appropriate sized enclosures, such as a folder, box, portfolio, etc., that will provide physical protection as well as protection from light and dust. The enclosure itself should be made of stable permanent quality materials that will not contribute to the document's deterioration.
Information courtesy of The National Archives.ﾠ www.archives.gov
Methodist Parsonage - Green Bank
Rev. J. W. McNeil and family in front of the Methodist Parsonage at Green Bank.
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PRESERVATION NEWS
Scanner available now in Hillsboro
A portable hand-held scanner is now available at the Hillsboro Public Library for folks who wish to scan family photos and documents to be included in the county's Preservation Digital Library and Archive.ﾠ Call the library at 304-653-4936 to reserve the scanner.ﾠ You will be connected with a volunteer who will show you how to scan your photographs and fill out forms for photo identification.ﾠ Remember: the Preservation Project wants a digital image only of your photographs and historic documents.ﾠ In exchange for your participation we will place your digital images on a CD for your personal use and instruct you on how to download them to your home computer.ﾠ
Volunteer Training
The Pocahontas County Historical Society will sponsor a photo scanning training session at the McClintic Library in Marlinton at its monthly meeting Monday, November 22, at 6 p.m.ﾠ Both the meeting and the training are open to the public.
If you are interested in volunteering or having your photos scanned please contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
Pocahontas Preservation On the Road
B. J. Gudmundsson and Gail Hyer attended the West Virginia "Connecting to Collections" Initiative Statewide Summit Meeting in Charleston on October 27.
"Connecting to Collections" is a national initiative launched by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to raise public awareness of the importance of caring for our treasures, and to underscore the fact that these collections are essential to the American story.ﾠ West Virginia University Libraries, in collaboration with the Huntington Museum of Art, is leading our initiative to help the state's libraries, art and historical museums, and cultural heritage institutions identify their constraints and needs in caring for their collections.ﾠ Pocahontas County is fortunate to be a part of this statewide consortium.
Institutions are currently being surveyed to determine the state of collections care and preservation planning.ﾠ The focus group is working together to gain information about the needs of the collecting community.ﾠ The findings will be used to produce a comprehensive preservation plan so that an environment can be created where West Virginia's treasures will be cared for and available for future generations.
Here in Pocahontas County many cultural objects are held in the care of the Historical Society at its Museum in Marlinton.ﾠ Valuable collections may be found at The Pearl Buck House, Droop Mountain State Park, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Cass Scenic Railroad and many other locations.ﾠ "Connecting to Collections" will be a resource for the ongoing preservation of these collections.
Thousands of Pocahontas County's treasures are located in the closets, attics and dresser drawers of private homes.ﾠ Over the next few months this column will feature valuable information on what you can do to preserve and protect the historic collections in your own home.ﾠ Whether it be photographs, books, papers, recordings or furniture, your personal collections are valuable.ﾠ They are a part of your family's heritage - and they are our history.ﾠﾠ
Visit The Pocahontas County Historic Preservation Project website atﾠ www.pocahontaspreservation.org
Marlinton Hospital
The license plate on the car parked in front of the Marlinton Hospital dates this photograph at 1916-1917.ﾠ The hospital was built in 1906.ﾠ This building was destroyed by fire on December 20, 1930.
Photo Identification
Accurate identification of photographs is an important part of the county's historic record.ﾠ Please feel free to call the Preservation Office at 304-799-3989 with corrections or comments about the photos featured in this column.ﾠ A list of corrections will be printed here in the near future.
PRESERVATION NEWS
Volunteer Training
Volunteer training will be held at the Hillsboro Public Library on Tuesday, Novemberﾠ 9, from 3 - 5 p.m.ﾠ Participants will learn why helping to preserve our history is important and receive hands-on training for scanning your own photos and documents.ﾠ Training is open to the public.
The Pocahontas County Historical Society will sponsor a training session at the Museum in Marlinton during their next monthly meeting to be held Monday, November 22, at 6 p.m.ﾠ Both the meeting and the training are open to the public.
If you are interested in volunteering or having your photos scanned please contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
Keep up with The Preservation Project atﾠ www.pocahontaspreservation.org
Frost Post Office - 1917
Will Buzzard and E. G. Sharp are pictured in this 1917 photograph of the Frost Post Office, which was established in 1853. Its physical location changed numerous times depending on the postmaster. As was customary, if the postmaster operated a store the post office was in the store. Postmasters included Francis Dever, Aaron Sharp, Dr. G. M. Jordan and Mamie Dreppard Mitcham who served until it was discontinued in September 1967. (Photograph courtesy of the Pocahontas County Historical Society.)
"Preserving Pocahontas" Website
You can now keep up with The Preservation Project on the Internet. Our new website "Preserving Pocahontas" has been launched and you will find us at www.pocahontaspreservation.org
The "Preserving Pocahontas" website is your gateway to Pocahontas County History.ﾠ You can now read about the project, view photos from this newspaper column and check the calendar for meetings and training sessions. Information and archival material is being added regularly. The Digital Library, for searching the photo and document archive, is coming soon.
Volunteer Training
Volunteers are being trained at the Hillsboro Public Library in November. Folks living in the Hillsboro area are invited to participate in a training session to assist the public with scanning their personal collections of historical photographs and documents.
If you are interested in volunteering or having your photos scanned please contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
1933 Airfield at Camp Watoga
The airfield at Camp Watoga provides the backdrop for this photograph of Forestry Personnel taken by Cal Gay in 1933.ﾠ Pictured left to right:ﾠ S. E. Nease (Superintendent), Alfred Dean, Bruce Crickard, Heath Crowell, Grady Arbogast, Earl Vanscoy (Davy Tree Surgeon), Marvin Stalnaker (saw filer), ? Morrison, Frank Hall, R. M. Wriston, John Kinsey.ﾠ (Photograph courtesy of the Pocahontas County Historical Society.)
The Pocahontas County Historic Records Preservation Project is accepting volunteers as we enter a new phase in digitizing our county records.ﾠﾠ Portable hand-held scanners are being placed at each of the countyﾒs library branches ﾖ Linwood, Durbin, Green Bank, Marlinton and Hillsboro.ﾠ Volunteers will be trained to assist the public with scanning their personal collections of historical photographs and documents.
If you are interested in volunteering or having your photos scanned please contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
1914 Hillsboro High School Class Play
A cast of 30 pose in this 1914 photograph of the Class Play at Hillsboro High School.ﾠﾠ Pictured in no particular order are:ﾠ Eva Beard, Sherman Moore, Polly Sydenstricker, Ralph Buckley, Henry Beard, Carl Bruffey, Dakota (?) Kirk, Clyde Grimes, Lynn Overholt, Hallie Burr, Ruth Cline, Ulric Grimes, Dice Grimes, Guy Overholt, Lantie McClure, Willis Cackley, Fay Grose, Pearl Darnell, Bascomb Kirk, Dick Raine, Albert VanReenan, Arthur Kelly, Walter Williams, Orlenna Vaughan, Henry Kelly, Ross Hufford, Nora Kidd, Glen Clark, Bradford Grimes and a Bradford girl.ﾠ (Photograph courtesy of the Pocahontas County Historical Society.)
The Pocahontas County Historic Records Preservation Project is a collaborative program of the Pocahontas County Free Libraries, the Pocahontas County Historical Society, the Pocahontas Genealogy Group, the Pocahontas County Landmarks Commission, the County Clerkﾒs Office and The Pocahontas Times. Its purpose is to preserve the historic records of the county and to make them accessible to the public.ﾠ All materials are scanned and digitized.ﾠ The originals are handled with great care and returned to the owner.ﾠ Persons contributing photos and documents will receive a copy of the files on CD for their familyﾒs use.
If you have photographs or historical documents that you would like to have scanned and digitized for inclusion in the countyﾒs Digital Library and Preservation Project please contact Preservation Office B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989.
E. F. Curry Store - 1912
This photograph of the interior of the E. F. Curry Store at Thornwood was taken in 1912.ﾠ Pictured from left to right: Milo Curry, unidentified child, storeowner E. F. Curry, and Mary Long Curry holding Elizabeth.ﾠ Photograph courtesy of the Pocahontas County Historical Society.
If you have photographs or historical documents that you would like to have scanned and digitized for inclusion in the countyﾒs Digital Library and Preservation Project please contact B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989.
Huntersville Methodist Church Construction
Taken in 1886, this photograph depicts construction of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Huntersville.ﾠ Services were held in the courthouse until 1842 when the Academy was built.ﾠ The Episcopal congregation moved to a new church in Marlinton following relocation of the county seat.ﾠ The M.E. Church remained with the Methodists and is now known as the Huntersville United Methodist Church.ﾠ It is still in service today.
Musicians Performing at the Pocahontas County Fair
Pictured from left to right:ﾠ Boggs, Clyde Buzzard, Harry Lang,Dr. Harold, ﾓFrediﾔ Lang, E.M. Richardson, Frank Herbert, Jim Shincut, ﾓDockﾔ Wiseman.
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