Chairperson Laura Carroll called the meeting to order at 9:41 A.M. In addition to Chairperson Carroll, other voting members present were Sandra Scaffidi, Rob Petry, Darlene Hassler, Tracy Burch, Gavin Hale, Tom Bloch II, Daniel Gatts, and Dr. Melissa Bingmann. Ex officio non-voting members present were Aaron Parsons, director, Archives and History Section; Charles Morris, director, Museums Section; Meredith Dreistadt, acting director, Historic Preservation Section; Ennis Smith, Deputy Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Tourism; Chelsea Ruby, Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Tourism; Crystal Wimer, West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey; and Cade Vogelsong, president of Preservation Alliance of West Virginia. Also present were Historic Preservation staff members Cody Straley and Randall Hill, as well as presenters and guests (full list of attendees enclosed in official minutes).
Chairperson Carroll asked for a motion to approve the Winter meeting minutes of March 12, 2025. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Dr. Bingmann with a second by Mr. Bloch. Motion carried.
Chairperson Carroll then asked for approval of the agenda. Ms. Burch made a motion to approve the agenda, and Mr. Petry provided a second. Motion carried.
Chairperson Carroll called upon Mr. Parsons for the Archives and History report. Mr. Parsons provided a written report to members (copy attached to official minutes) and reviewed section activities, including continued work on the NHPRC grant project, History Bowl competitions, History Day at the Legislature, assisting the Department of Education with Academic Showdown, Golden Horseshoe, and the Social Studies Fair, and hosting several schools in the library for tours. Mr. Parsons also noted that two new exhibits had gone on display in the Archives Library between January and April, and that the library had 434 visitors between January and April.
Chairperson Carroll then called upon Ms. Dreistadt for the Historic Preservation report. Ms. Dreistadt provided a written report to members (copy attached to official minutes). Ms. Dreistadt recognized the retirement of Susan Pierce, the former director of the State Historic Preservation Office, and reviewed section activities, including the planning of a realtor training in the eastern panhandle, adding over 1,400 entries in the GIS database, work on upcoming National Register nominations, development of K-12 educational materials, and development of a GIS story map for the America250 celebration. Ms. Dreistadt also noted work on Section 106 items, FY2024 Survey and Planning Grants, FY2025 State Development Grants, and an opening meeting regarding listing a historic district in Oak Hill.
Chairperson Carroll 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 recent school tours, exhibits such as the West Virginia Juried Exhibit and the INSPIRED Series, as well as an exhibit focused on artwork created by employees of the Culture Center and an exhibit celebrating the 100th anniversary of the State Fair. Mr. Morris also noted recent activities at Grave Creek Mound, such as celebrations for West Virginia Day on June 20. Mr. Morris also noted a grant opportunity to fix the steps at Grave Creek Mound.
Chairperson Carroll then called on Cabinet Secretary Ruby for the Department of Tourism's report. Cabinet Secretary Ruby noted the merging of the Department of Arts, Culture and History with the Department of Tourism, maintenance and updating at the Culture Center, recent changes with federal grants, partnership opportunities through the Department of Tourism, and the upcoming Governor's Conference on Tourism in Morgantown. Secretary Ruby also asked the commission to take a moment to recognize Susan Pierce for the incredible work that she has done throughout her career.
Chairperson Carroll called upon Mr. Vogelsong for the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia report. Mr. Vogelsong reviewed the organization's activities, including efforts to advocate for Historic Tax Credits and the Historic Preservation Fund, and work on America250-themed projects, including planning of a conference in Berkeley County.
Chairperson Carroll then called upon Ms. Wimer for the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey report (copy attached to official minutes). Ms. Wimer noted work to acquire a new core sample storage facility, outreach efforts such as the Draw Jeff Contest and attendance at various career days, the visiting geologists program, and inclusion of materials from the museum in displays at the Watts Museum in Morgantown and the Appalachian Discovery Center. The museum had 134 visitors from March to June (65% in-state and 35% from out-of-state).
Turning to New Business, Chairperson Carroll called for the presentation of the National Register nominations.
Jacob Folk House, Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, nominated under Criterion C, Architecture, with a period of significance of 1860, was presented by Cody Straley. Following the presentation, Ms. Scaffidi made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Ms. Burch provided the second. Motion carried.
Spencer Commercial Historic District, Spencer, Roane County, nominated under Criterion A, Commerce, Social History, and Politics/Government, with a period of significance of 1893-1976, was presented by Kelsey Hartmann. Following the presentation, there was discussion of a letter received asking that the commission table the Spencer Commercial Historic District nomination. Following the discussion, Ms. Burch made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Ms. Hassler provided the second. Motion carried.
Carter G. Woodson School, Saint Albans, Kanawha County, nominated under Criterion A, Education, Social History, and Ethnic Heritage: Black, with a period of significance of 1912-1975, was presented by John Pitman. Following the presentation, Ms. Scaffidi abstained from voting on the nomination. Mr. Petry made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Mr. Hale provided the second. Motion carried.
West Virginia-Pennsylvania Sinclair Cornerstone, Georgetown, Marshall County, nominated under Criterion A, Engineering and Politics/Government, with a period of significance of 1883, was presented by Cody Straley. Following the presentation, Dr. Bingmann made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Ms. Scaffidi provided the second. Motion carried.
Largent Bridge, Largent, Morgan County, nominated under Criterion A, Transportation and Social History; and Criterion C, Engineering, with a period of significance of 1916-1975, was presented by David Abruzzi. Following the presentation, Mr. Gatts made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Mr. Bloch provided the second. Motion carried.
Great Cacapon Bridge, Great Cacapon, Morgan County, nominated under Criterion A, Transportation and Social History; and Criterion C, Engineering, with a period of significance of 1937-1975, was presented by David Abruzzi. Following the presentation, Mr. Hale made a motion for approval of the nomination, and Ms. Hassler provided the second. Motion carried.
Chairperson Carroll then called on Ms. Dreistadt for an update on the 2026 State Development Grants. Ms. Dreistadt called on Randall Hill to provide the update. Mr. Hill noted that due to delays at the federal level, the timeline for FY2026 State Development Grants has changed. Mr. Hill noted that the Historic Preservation Office received 52 applications for FY2026 State Development Grants. Mr. Hill noted that funding for FY2026 State Development Grants is being held until after federal funding to complete FY2025 projects are completed.
Chairperson Carroll then called on Ms. Dreistadt for a report on National Register nominations previously reviewed by the Archives and History Commission. Ms. Dreistadt called on Mr. Straley, who noted the Isaac Clymer Farm, the New Deal Stone Walls of Morgantown, Forest Hill School, Bethel Memorial Park Cemetery, the Houser-Mahoney House, the Chapel of Mary Immaculate, and the Warwood Historic District were listed on the National Register. Mr. Straley also noted several upcoming nominations.
Due to changes in the state budget, the next meeting may be held virtually. A determination on the format and possible location of the next meeting will be forthcoming, as will the finalized date for the Fall meeting. The date and location for the Winter 2026 meeting will be determined at a future date after review of the state budget.
Ms. Burch made a motion to adjourn, and Chairperson Carroll declared the meeting adjourned at 11:36 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Aaron Parsons
Secretary