Chairman Nathan Randolph called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. In addition to Chairman Randolph, other voting members present were Thomas Bloch II, Nathaniel DeBruin, Daniel Gatts, J. Gavin Hale, Dr. Rodney Montague, Tracy Burch, Dr. Melissa Bingmann, and Laura Carroll. Ex officio non-voting members present were Aaron Parsons, director, Archives and History Section; Charles Morris, director, Museums Section; Susan Pierce, director, Historic Preservation Section; Randall Reid-Smith, Curator of the Department of Arts, Culture and History; Crystal Wimer, West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey; and J. Logan Smith, president of Preservation Alliance of West Virginia. Also present were Historic Preservation staff member S. Cody Straley and guests Phyllis Baxter, Jamie Billman, and Chris Mielke.
Chairman Randolph asked for a motion on the Spring meeting minutes of July 15, 2022. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Mr. Gatts with a second by Mr. Bloch. Motion carried.
Chairman Randolph then asked for approval of the agenda. Ms. Burch made a motion to approve the agenda, and Ms. Carroll provided a second. Motion carried.
Chairman Randolph then called upon Curator Reid-Smith for the Department of Arts, Culture, and History report. Curator Reid-Smith provided a written report to members and reviewed department activities, including supplemental funds for grants, budget hearings, building repairs taking place at the Culture Center in Charleston and extending fencing at Independence Hall in Wheeling, the absorption of the Library Commission into the Department of Arts, Culture, and History, and providing new space for the Archives section's collections within the Culture Center.
Chairman Randolph called upon Mr. Parsons for the Archives and History report. Mr. Parsons provided Archives and History monthly reports for June and July 2022 (copies attached to official minutes) and reviewed section activities, including school tours in the Archives Library, hosting Ambassadors Camp students, West Virginia Day events such as the History Bowl Legends Tournament and the Golden Horseshoe Reunion, and the development of an exhibit on the Doc and Chickie Williams Collection, displayed in the Archives & History Library. Mr. Parsons also noted the acquisition and processing of several collections, that dehumidifiers had been placed in collections areas due to rising humidity levels throughout the summer, and the departure of one staff member in June.
Chairman Randolph then called upon Ms. Pierce for the Historic Preservation report. Ms. Pierce provided a written report to members (copy attached to official minutes) and reviewed section activities, such as participation in activities of the WV Suffragist Memorial Committee, the development of a scholarship, which was awarded to nine people, for attendance to the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions in Cincinnati, Ohio, and various trainings held by the section pertaining to tax credits, general programs, Section 106, and more. Ms. Pierce noted that there has been a reevaluation by the National Park Service of the formula used to determine the funding the section annually receives, staffing shortages in the Historic Preservation section, and the promotion of Cody Straley to the National Register/Architectural Survey Coordinator position.
Chairman Randolph then called upon Mr. Morris for the Museums report. Mr. Morris provided a written report to members (copy attached to official minutes) and reviewed section activities, including the Appalachian String Band Festival, development of a historically accurate Adena Hut at the Grave Creek Mound in Moundsville, remodeling and updating of the Museum Education website, the completion of new fencing at Independence Hall in Wheeling, activities for the 45th anniversary of the Department of Arts, Culture and History, and the development of an exhibit on drug awareness made in conjunction with the DEA.
Chairman Randolph then called upon Mr. Smith for the Preservation Alliance report. Mr. Smith provided a written report to members (copy attached to official minutes) and reviewed activities, including the Alliance's annual awards banquet, NIP tax credits, available AmeriCorps positions, and the development of the West Virginia Historic Preservation Trades Task Force. Mr. Smith noted the addition of one new staff member.
Chairman Randolph then called upon Ms. Wimer for the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey report. Ms. Wimer reviewed activities, including progress on grant projects, the development of a core sample facility, the purchase of new containers for coal samples, the hosting of three geologists at State Parks, the hosting of representatives of the Department of Natural Resources, activities with school groups, and reorganization and updating of the Geologic Survey's exhibits. Ms. Wimer noted that visitor statistics have been kept since March and that 49% of visitors were from out of state.
Turning to New Business, Chairman Randolph called for the presentation of the National Register nominations.
Virginia Apartments, Ohio County, nominated under Criterion A, Social History, and Criterion C, Architecture, with a period of significance of 1902-1921, was presented by Cody Straley on behalf of Wendy Scatterday. Following the presentation, Dr. Bingmann moved for approval of the nomination, and Ms. Burch provided the second. Motion carried.
Chairman Randolph then called on Dr. Bingmann and Ms. Carroll for the election of officers. Mr. Thomas Bailey was nominated as Chairman and Ms. Darlene Hassler as Vice-Chair. Dr. Montague made a motion to approve the nominations, and Mr. Gatts provided the second. Motion carried.
Chairman Randolph then called for a report on National Register nominations previously reviewed by the Archives and History Commission. Mr. Straley noted that the Rupert School, Wheeling Historic District Boundary Expansion, and Weirick and Weller Water Wheel were listed in August. The Nathan Haines Farm was returned by the National Park Service due to issues with the period of significance listed in the application but will be revised and resubmitted. Mr. Straley noted upcoming nominations, current Survey and Planning Grant Nomination Projects, and Additional Documentation Submissions.
Chairman Randolph noted that the Winter meeting will be held on February 23, 2023, at the Culture Center in Charleston. The Spring meeting will tentatively be held on June 2, 2023, in Bluefield.
At the request of Ms. Pierce, Chairman Randolph opened the floor for members to discuss interesting projects they've been working on. Commission members introduced themselves individually and discussed current projects and events taking place in the field.
Ms. Carroll made a motion to adjourn, and Chairman Randolph declared the meeting adjourned at 11:14 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Aaron Parsons
Secretary