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The Roane County Historical Society met Thursday, 27 March 2014 for the first meeting of the new year. Meeting called to order by Rick Greathouse, President, prayer was offered and the pledge to the American flag was recited. There were nine members and one visitor present.
Susan Tucker, Recording Secretary, read the minutes from the December 2013 meeting which were approved as read. Carol Board-Westfall, Treasurer, reported a balance of $15, 059.76.
Linda Liss, Membership Secretary, reported the current membership at 198. As Corresponding Secretary, Liss reported that she had responded to three inquires since last meeting.
1. From Merrilee Matheny who is writing book & seeking Roane Co. information on the last public hanging in West Virginia of John F. Morgan. Wants name of 1897 Roane County sheriff who helped capture Morgan and return him to Jackson County
2. From Mary Ann Mullady seeking information on Breazeale family
3. From Dan Addison seeking information on burial place of his Harper/Hunt ancestors in the Walton area of Roane County
A fourth inquiry was received by Carol Board-Westfall in society mail from Peggy Stewart of Ohio regarding her Roane County May & Wilmoth ancestors. Linda Liss will respond to the inquiry. Also, an inquiry was received from an Emily Stehr who is writing a book about place names. She is looking for information on Looneyville and Nancy's Run in Roane County in particular.
We are happy to announce that society member, Susan Tucker, has been selected as one of thirty-five West Virginia citizens named as “2014 History Hero” at the West Virginia History Day ceremony 13 February 2014 sponsored by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. She was nominated by the R.C.H.S. She spearheaded the preservation of the society’s printed materials and participated in the digitization of the society’s historic newspaper collection from microfilm to CD’s. She has been an active member of the society since 2005. Susan is the fifth R. C. H. S. member to receive this prestigious honor.
Old Business:
Essay Scholarship: Linda Liss reported that she has been in contact with the Roane County High School counselor, Rebecca Lockhart, regarding the 2014 Scholarship Essay. Applications and guidelines were made available in January to interested seniors. The deadline for essay submission is April 11, 2014. The Scholarship Committee will review the essays and select a recipient of the $1,000 scholarship who best tells their family genealogy. Presentation will be made during the May 20, 2014 Awards Ceremony at the high school.
Friends of Market Street Chapel restoration project: The society unanimously voted to donate $500 toward the project of restoring the historic former Spencer Presbyterian Church building located at 408 Market Street in Spencer.
Depot Museum: After much discussion during the last few meetings, the R.C.H.S. has decided to decline the city’s proposal of the society taking over the operation, maintenance and upkeep of the Depot Museum located the Heritage Park in Spencer. The local society members feel that this is too big a project for them to take on at this time. The 1893 building needs major renovation, insulation, and heating/cooling systems to help preserve the articles donated and stored at the site.
New Business:
Publications Inventory & new CD: Susan Tucker reported that she has done an inventory of the society’s printed publications. She will order those books on which we are running low. She also reported that she has recorded the society’s “Roane County Journal” newsletter on one CD. Volumes I-X [1993-2003] are now available at the low cost of only $20.
RCHS member, Cheryl Moss Holbrook, has expressed interest in reading cemeteries in the Linden, Roane Co., area. She invites others to help with this project. No action taken at this time.
20th Annual Genealogy Fair: Annual fair is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the Heritage Park Community Building in Spencer. Details to be worked out and will be announced at a later date.
The next meeting of the R.C.H.S. will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 7 p.m. in the Roane County Library. Society members are urged to attend and visitors are always welcome.
The meeting adjourned with refreshments being served to: Susan Tucker, Rick Greathouse, Linda Cottrell Liss, Carol Board-Westfall, Peggy L. Starcher, Patty Wyatt, Bernard Wyatt, Reva Paxton, Paul Hughes and one visitor, Jeanne Garrett McIntosh.
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