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.
Sherman Hammons at Pioneer Days
Sherman Hammons, of Williams River, competes in the fiddle competition at the 1975 Pioneer Days Mountain Music and Bluegrass Contest. The contest was held for a number of years and attracted musicians from across the United States. Hammons took home many prizes either in fiddle, banjo or both. (Photo courtesy of the Pocahontas County Historical Society)
Access our Digitial Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Projectﾠ contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
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Preservation News
The Pocahontas County Historical Society is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and will be featured on this yearﾒs Pioneer Day Badge. Founding members will serve as the Parade Marshall for the parade on Saturday.
The Museum in Marlinton will be open for toursﾠ during Pioneer Days. Admission is free by donation. Demonstrations on Pioneer Living will be staged on the museum grounds and will blacksmithing, broom making, needlework and acrylic painting. Visitors are invited to join the celebration. An Open House will take place on Friday, July 8, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Also, the Historical Society will be replacing the sign in front of the Museum on Rt. 219 with a new updated white sign. The top will mirror the roof line of the historic Frank and Anna Hunter House. In addition to promoting the museum the sign will invite travelers to Cross the Bridge and visit Downtown Historic Marlinton. Volunteers will build and erect the sign, but donations are needed for material and printing. Total cost for the sign is $1,000. To donate contact the Preservation Officer at 304-799-3989 or call the Museum at 304-799-6659.
Fourth of July 1929 - Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
The 1929 Fourth of July Celebration at Droop Mountain State Park was captured in this fabulous panoramic photograph by Cal Gay. Here, on November 6, 1863, was fought the last important battle between the men of the Union and the men of the Confederacy. This battlefield became the first state park in West Virginia and was dedicated on July 4, 1928. In the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corp built the museum, lookout tower and other buildings. This CCC camp, Camp Price, was named for Calvin W. Price, Editor of The Pocahontas Times and a state leader in conservation efforts that resulted in the setting aside of public land in Pocahontas County. (Photo courtesy of the Pocahontas County Historical Society)
Access our Digitial Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Project contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
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Preservation News
The Preservation Project thanks everyone who has contributed photographs for scanning over the past several months.ﾠ A list of contributors and collection descriptions will be listed here over the next several weeks.
The Pocahontas County Historical Society is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and will be featured on this yearﾒs Pioneer Day Badge.ﾠ The Museum in Marlinton will be open for tours and an Open House during Pioneer Days. Demonstrations on Pioneer Living will be staged on the museum grounds including blacksmithing, broom making, needlework and acrylic painting.ﾠ Visitors are invited to join the celebration.
Also, the Historical Society will replace the sign in front of the Museum on Rt. 219 with a new updated white sign.ﾠ The top will mirror the roof line of the historic Frank and Anna Hunter House.ﾠ In addition to promoting the museum, the sign will invite travelers to Cross the Bridge and visit Downtown Historic Marlinton.ﾠ Volunteers will build and erect the sign, but donations are needed for materials and printing. Total cost for the sign is $1,000.ﾠ To donate contact the Preservation Officer at 304-799-3989 or call the Museum at 304-799-6659.
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Cass Mill Fire - 1922
Remains of the Cass Mill following a fire in February 1922.ﾠ (Photo courtesy of the Pocahontas County Historical Society)
Access our Digitial Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Projectﾠ contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
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Preservation News
The Historical Society will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, June 27, at 7 p.m.ﾠ The meeting will take place at the Museum and the public is invited to attend and help plan for the Pioneer Day events.ﾠ
Also, the Historical Society will replace the sign in front of the Museum on Rt. 219 with a new updated white sign.ﾠ The top will mirror the roof line of the historic Frank and Anna Hunter House.ﾠ In addition to promoting the museum the sign will invite travelers to Cross the Bridge and visit Downtown Historic Marlinton.ﾠ Volunteers will build and erect the sign, but donations are needed for material and printing. Total cost for the sign is $1,000.ﾠ To donate to this project contact the Preservation Officer or call the Museum at 304-799-6659.
The next planning meeting for the Smithsonian Exhibit will be held in Marlinton on Wednesday, June 29, at 6:30 p.m. at the McClintic Library.ﾠ Thanks to all who attended the last two meetings in Durbin and Hillsboro.ﾠ Be sure to call Gail at 304-799-4636 or B.J. at 304-799-3989 to volunteer.ﾠ
The Pocahontas Times Digitization Project has been completed.ﾠ More than 100 years of the countyﾒs oldest newspaper are now available in digital format in the Heritage Room at the McClintic Library in Marlinton.ﾠ The files are fully searchable and visitors may print their search results through the library printing service.ﾠ
The Pocahontas County Historical Society is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and will be featured on this yearﾒs Pioneer Day Badge.ﾠ The Museum in Marlinton will be open for tours and an Open House during Pioneer Days. Demonstrations on Pioneer Living will be staged on the museum grounds.ﾠ Visitors are invited to join the celebration.
Hillsboro High School - 1917
The students at Hillsboro High School are pictured in this photograph taken by Cal Gay on April 19, 1917. (Photo courtesy of the Pocahontas County Historical Society)
Access our Digitial Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Project contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
Preservation News
The Pocahontas Times Digitization Project has been completed. More than 100 years of the county's oldest newspaper are now available in digital format in the Heritage Room at the McClintic Library in Marlinton. The files are fully searchable and visitors may print their search results through the library printing service.
The Pocahontas County Historical Society is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and will be featured on this year's Pioneer Day Badge. The Museum in Marlinton will be open for tours and an Open House during Pioneer Days. Demonstrations on Pioneer Living will be staged on the museum grounds. Visitors are invited to join the celebration.
The Historical Society will hold its monthly meeting Monday, June 27, at 7 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Museum and the public is invited to attend and help plan the Pioneer Day events.
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Riverside
This undated photograph shows the community of Riverside north of Marlinton. The smokestack at the tannery can be seen on the far right. (Photo courtesy of the Pocahontas County Historical Society)
Access our Digitial Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org
If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Project contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
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Unknown Sawmill Scene
A sawmill operation in Pocahontas County.ﾠ The identity and location is unknown.ﾠ (Photo courtesy of the Pocahontas County Historical Society)
Access our Digitial Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Projectﾠ contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org.
Linwood 1914
The Vandevender home at Linwood is pictured in this photograph taken in 1914.
Access our Digitial Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Projectﾠ contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
Campbelltown Ladies 1912
The photograph of four ladies sitting on the steps of a store building in Campbelltown was taken around 1912-1913. The mill and log train caboose can be seen in the background. The two ladies on the bottom row (l-r) are Amy Belz and Frances Golden. Please contact the Preservation Officer if you can identify the ladies on the back row. (Photo courtesy of the Pocahontas County Historical Society)
Access our Digitial Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Project contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
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Preservation News
The Pocahontas County Historical Society will hold its monthly meeting at the Huntersville School on Monday, May 23, at 7 p.m. The program will be on the history of the school. The public is invited to attend.
The Historical Society is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. It's time to spruce up the Museum in preparation for Pioneer Days. If you would like to help we would love to have you! This would also be a good time to renew your membership or sign up as a new member.
Volunteers are signing up to help with the Smithsonian Exhibit, "The Way We Worked," which will be in Marlinton September 10 - October 22. The committee is seeking local groups interested in serving food. Call Gail Hyer at 304-799-4636 or B.J. at 304-799-3989 if you would like to get involved.
The Historic Preservation Project would like to thank everyone who is loaning photographs to be scanned for the archives. Our collection is growing and our history is being preserved for future generations.
Men's Bible Class in Durbin
The Men's Bible Class at the Durbin Southern Methodist Church. This photograph was probably taken around 1910.
Front Row, L-R: Lafayette Simmons, Jack Carpenter, Wardell Arbogast, H. E. White, Alex Hardbarger, Ponce Kerr.
Back Row, L-R: Harper Hudson, Ernest E. Oldaker, Kenna Rexrode, Dan Coffman, Ed Hall, Clowney (C.F.) Hull, Charlie Clendenin, P. F. Eades, Quinn Burr. (Photo courtesy of the Pocahontas County Historical Society)
Access our Digitial Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Project contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
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West Union School - 1907
This photograph of the West Union School was taken in 1907. The teacher at that time was Ellett Smith. The one room school building, located across the road from the present West Union Church, was used until 1912 when a new school was built on the William Gilmore property. West Union School was closed in 1952.
Back Row, L-R: Lanie Beverage, May VanReenen, Mamie VanReenen, Ida Beverage, Clarence Kellison, Sterl Dilley, Albert VanReenen, Clawson Beverage, Neal Beverage, Roy Kellison, Roy VanReenen, Bernard VanReenen. Front Row, L-R: Daisy Beverage, Bertie Beverage, Susie Kellison, Grace VanReenen, Lee Beverage, Gilbert VanReenen, Porter VanReenen, Rossie Sharp, Forest VanReenen, Lonnie VanReenen
Thanks to Dorothy Johnson who supplied the photograph which has been scanned and archived by the Pocahontas Co. Historic Preservation Project.
Access our Digitial Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Project contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
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