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The Roane County Historical Society held its first meeting for 2013 on Thursday, March 28th at the Roane County Library. There were 19 members and 2 guests present.
Rick Greathouse, president, called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Mike Hill led the opening prayer and the pledge to the flag was recited by all.
Susan Tucker, recording sect’y, read the minutes of the November 15, 2012 meeting which were approved as read. [The December 2012 meeting was cancelled due to the weather & bad road conditions.]
Carol Board-Westfall gave the treasurer’s report which reflected a balance of $18,591.15 The report included 4-month’s receipts & disbursements. Copy filed for annual audit.
The Membership/Corresponding Secretary, Linda Liss, reported that she had replied to several inquiries in the past few months which resulted in three new members joining the society. Linda also reported that she sent get well and/or sympathy cards where needed. Several 2012-13 Surname Directories have been returned because of address changes. Those will be remailed. Current membership is 203. Report filed with minutes.
Volume 20-Issue 3 of the "Journal" newsletter will be published soon. Carol Cronin, newsletter editor, was highly commended for the fine newsletters she puts together for the RCHS.
Book Purchase:
“Jackson County, WV History-Past & Present, Book 2” was purchased. A large book “The Crislip Family” was donated to the RCHS’s library.
Old Business:
The circa 1893 B & O Depot Museum located at the Heritage Park is owned by the City of Spencer. RCHS member Teresa Boggs Parker, member of the Roane County Arts & Humanities Council and Museum Caretaker reports that the Museum is in disrepair and needs regular cleaning and upkeep. The building is not climate controlled; the contents of historical value are deteriorating because of the building’s lack of heating/cooling. The Museum is supposed to be open beginning the first Saturday’s monthly beginning in May thru Oct. Persons are needed to clean the building beforehand and staff it during the “open” times. Is there grant money available for such a historical building renovation project? It is suggested that the RCHS Executive Committee investigate the possibility of the society taking over the care of the Museum as a project and reporting back at next meeting.
Essay Scholarship – Linda Liss reported that the guidelines had been distributed in January 2013 by the Roane County High School guidance counselors to interested students. The deadline for filing the application and essay is Friday, April 12th. The $750 scholarship will be awarded to the Senior student submitting the best essay depicting their family history. The scholarship review committee will be Linda Liss, Chairperson, Melissa Swisher and Teresa Parker.
Carol Board-Westfall reported that she has attempted to contact the family who owns the Uriah Gandee log house at Gandeeville. They have not responded.
Susan Tucker reported that the micro-film of the Weekly Bulletin [1898-1905] and some of the Times Record – Roane County Reporter newspapers have been transferred to DVD’s. The micro-film reader housed in the society’s library is old and parts cannot be obtained in case of break-down, so the society is backing up these films of the historic newspapers. She has not received an invoice as of this meeting, so could not report the exact price. The 2013 Governor’s Community Participation Grant in the amount $1,000 is being used to copy the micro-films.
New Business:
Carol B-W reported that she has received a request for the society to advertise in the 2013 West Virginia Travel Guide. The ad will cost $25. Motion was made, properly seconded and passed unanimously to place the ad again this year.
Carol reported that she had received a request for the society to place an advertisement in the Gazette/Daily Mail newspapers on their theme page “Spencer is Booming and Blooming.” Cost of this ad is $45. Motion was made, seconded and passed to place the ad.
Discussion was raised regarding the Spencer State Hospital Cemetery signage. The roadside sign is in need of restoration. Is this something the Society wants to sponsor? The discussion to be continued at a future meeting.
Jack Nida presented an inquiry as to why the over 100 year old Flat Fork Community Church off Clover Ridge had not received one of the commemorative plaques as part of our 2011 project. Carol B-W responded that the church had been on the plaque list, but she was not able to make contact with anyone at the church regarding the project before deadline to turn in the plaque order. Motion was made by Jack, properly seconded & carried unanimously for the RCHS to purchase a plaque for the Flat Fork Community Church. Carol will investigate the cost and if one plaque can be made for a reasonable price and report back at our next meeting.
The next meeting of the Roane County Historical Society will be held on Thursday, April 25th at the Roane County Library at 7 p.m.
Meeting adjourned with refreshments being served.
Notes submitted by Linda Cottrell Liss
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