About Membership Publications Officers Help
 
Main Menu
Login

Username:


Password:


Remember me


Lost Password?
Want to Register?
Problems?
Contact a Webmaster at: richard@wvroane.org
Visitor Count

View Stats

General Interest : Spencer State Hospital (1893-1989) Face Book Group Has Been Formed
Posted by Linda Cottrell Liss on 2016/11/20 1:26:35 (2521 reads)
General Interest

We are excited to announce that a Face Book group has been formed to remember Spencer State Hospital, first known as the Second Hospital for the Insane. The purpose of the group is to remember the contributions that the hospital made to Spencer and Roane County, West Virginia. Let us remember those dedicated employees and staff members and volunteers. Perhaps it is most important to remember those patients "the forgotten ones" who passed through the halls during the hospital's 97 year history. Let us remember all those who worked there or were patients there from 1893 when it opened with it's first 54 patients to the last days up until it closed in June 1989.
We are looking for stories, pictures and remembrances of Spencer State Hospital activities.
Interested persons may paste the following link to view the Spencer State Hospital Group & request membership, this is a Closed Group:
www.Facebook.com/groups/1094136047340859/
I look forward to meeting and greeting many new group members interested in keeping the history of Spencer State Hospital alive. Linda Cottrell Liss

Comments?
General Interest : Notes from October 27th, 2016 Meeting
Posted by Linda Cottrell Liss on 2016/11/10 22:20:54 (1802 reads)

The Roane County Historical Society met on Thursday, October 27, 2016, 7 p.m. at the Roane County Library. Seven members and six guests were present.
Meeting was called to order by Rick Greathouse, President, Carol Board-Westfall led an opening prayer and the pledge to the American flag was recited by all.
Rick welcomed and introduced our special guests, April L. Williams Gardner and Shirley Gilkeson of the Kanawha Valley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Charleston, WV and Jane Larke, and husband Carl, of the Woodburn Chapter DAR of Morgantown, WV. They were invited because of possible community interest in forming a new Chapter of DAR for Spencer and surrounding area. Mrs. Gilkson explained that in order for a new chapter to be formed; [1] An organizing Regent needs to be appointed, [2] chapter must have at least twelve members [3] members must prove ancestry to a Revolutionary War patriot and [4] select name for chapter. (It is noted that Spencer formerly had a DAR Chapter – The Spencer Roane Chapter, now disbanded.) The ladies were very informative in explaining the process of becoming a DAR Chapter; conversation continued over refreshments. While those present seemed interested, no specific action was taken to go forward with forming a new local chapter.
Business session:
Susan Tucker, Recording Secretary read minutes from Sept 2016 meeting which were approved as read.
Carol Board-Westfall reported that the current treasury balance is $13,088.96 – all bills paid.
Linda Cottrell Liss reported the current membership is steady at 215 members. She noted that 21 members have not paid their 2016-17 annual dues. All have been contacted two times. Delinquent members will be removed from roll.
Melissa Swisher sent message that the Fall 2016 newsletter was mailed today. Articles are need for upcoming newsletters. Send to Linda Liss at WVRoots@aol.com or mail to RCHS, PO Box 161, Spencer, WV 25276-0161.

Linda Cottrell Liss reported that she has recently opened a Spencer State Hospital Face Book page and it already has 231 members as of the Oct. 27th date. Anyone interested in the history of Spencer State Hospital is welcome to become a member by accessing the site and requesting membership. It is a “closed group “ formed to recognize the contributions of SSH to the Spencer & Roane County communities. It is also provided as a way to recognize former employees, staff and volunteers, and to learn about the misconceptions of mental illness in general. The “forgotten ones patients” are also lovingly remembered. Link to group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1094136047340859/

Meeting adjourned. Those present were: Members, Susan Tucker, Carol Board-Westfall, Linda Cottrell Liss, Rick Greathouse, Vicki Knight & husband Smith Knight, Ellen Platt and Bonita Schreckengost. Guests included Melba Starcher, and DAR representatives, Shirley M. Gilkeson, April Gardner, Jane Larke & husband Carl.

The next meeting of the R.C.H.S. will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 7 p.m. at the Roane County Library. This is one week earlier due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Members are urged to attend and guests are welcome.

Comments?
News : 2017 - 23rd Annual Genealogy Fair
Posted by Richard Griffith on 2016/10/26 19:20:00 (5203 reads)

The 23rd Annual Genealogy Fair, is scheduled for Saturday, September 23, 2017, sponsored by the Roane County Historical Society, Inc.

Read More... | 1535 bytes more | Comments?
General Interest : Mining Your History Annual Conference - October 22, 2016
Posted by Rick Greathouse on 2016/10/18 0:21:08 (3506 reads)

Join us for Mining Your History Foundations Annual Conference on October 22, 2016

Read More... | 917 bytes more | Comments?
General Interest : Notes from RCHS May 26, 2016 Meeting
Posted by Linda Cottrell Liss on 2016/6/5 22:43:41 (2193 reads)

The monthly meeting of the Roane County Historical Society was called to order at 7:00 p.m., May 26, 2016 by President Rick Greathouse. The meeting was opened with prayer by President Greathouse and the pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by guest Isaac Snodgrass. The meeting was held at the Roane County Library; those present were Linda Cottrell Liss, Carol Board-Westfall, Bonita Schreckengost, Vicki J. Knight, Rick Greathouse, Wanda Carpenter, Melissa Swisher, Phyllis Counts, Paul Hughes, new member David A. Hascue and guests: our 2016 Essay Scholarship winner, Brett A. Miller & his parents Tony & Tracey Miller & brother Brayden Miller, Cheryl and Isaac Snodgrass.
In the absence of the Recording Secretary the minutes of the April 2016 meeting were read by Linda Cottrell Liss. Motion to accept minutes as read was made by Wanda Carpenter and properly seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Carol Board-Westfall, Treasurer, gave a financial report of income and expenses of the past month. The May 26th balance was $12,893.77. Financial report filed with meeting minutes.
Linda Cottrell-Liss, Correspondence Secretary, brought the Society up-to-date on correspondence.
(1) 5/10/2016 Communication from Loftis Engineering Group of East Amherst, NY with regard to the proposed construction of a Vertical Lattice Tower on Walker Ridge Rd. near Walton in Roane County. Notice also filed with WV Division of Culture & History, Charleston, WV. Carol Board-Westfall reported that she had searched map of area and identified 4 cemeteries in that area, three had been read & one had not been read.
(2) 5/09/2016 E-mail communication from society member, Lisa Carper Stott, regarding personal commitment papers found on E-bay for Spencer State Hospital & Roane County Poor Farm patients. She tried to buy the papers for the Society but due to legal/privacy issues they have been removed from E-bay.
(3) 4/19/2016 Communication/inquiry from Kimberly Lowers of Morrisville, PA regarding burial place for her ancestor George Lowers b. 21 Apr 1857. Linda responded to her that he is buried at the Cottrell/Frozen Run Chapel Cem. in Calhoun Co., WV.
(4) 4/28/2016 Inquiry from Dawn Webb of Delaware, OH regarding her gt grandfather, George Dewey Robey. Linda responded to her.
(5) 5/11/2016 E-mail from Tom Householder regarding markers at Goff Cem. in Spencer for Pool Family. Possible mix up of dates on tombstones for Peter Pool and Presley Lewis Woodyard Pool.
(6) 5/05, 2016 Annual O’Brien Reunion: 3 days August 12-14, Colville, WA.
(7) Fliers and communication from Timothy Keener: 1st Annual Tanner Takeover Family Reunion & Picnic, Monday, May 30th, 2016, [Memorial Day], at Heritage Park Community Building in Spencer, 12 Noon. For descendants of Spencer’s first family: Samuel and Sudna Tanner.
(8) 5/26/2016 from Bob Weaver, Publisher/Founder of the Hur Herald on-line newspaper for Calhoun Co., WV & area. After 20 years the Hur Herald will be discontinued as of May 31, 2016.
Membership Report for April 2016 – 213 members [Copy filed with minutes].
Membership Report for May 2016 – 215 members [Copy filed with minutes].
Our special guest, Brett A. Miller, 2016 Essay Scholarship recipient was introduced by Linda Cottrell Liss, Essay Scholarship Chairperson. The Essay Committee, Melissa Swisher, Harley Nester & Linda Liss, met on Saturday, April 16th and made their selection after reading & considering four essays from Roane County High seniors. Brett’s essay most closely met the guidelines adopted by the Society. He read his essay telling about his Miller & Greenleaf families and in particular his great grandmother, Lacey Alice Callow-Criner of Reedy. After a short time of questions & answers, Brett was presented a Certificate of Participation as the Society’s 6th Annual Essay Scholarship & an honorary 1-year membership in the R.C.H.S. Note: The $1,000 Essay Scholarship was presented to Brett at Roane County High School’s May 12, 2016 Awards Ceremony by President Rick Greathouse. His essay &/or excerpts thereof & photo will be published in the Summer 2016 “Journal” newsletter.
2016 Genealogical Fair: The committee chairperson, Melissa Swisher, reported that the annual fair will be Saturday, September 24th, 2016. Fair flier was in Spring issue of the “Journal” newsletter. She will be contacting different area societies and vendors to reserve table space. Fair will be 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Heritage Park Community Building.
OLD BUSINESS:
Carol Board-Westfall reported that the bronze plaque from our 2009 Plaque Project has finally been installed on the old [1903] Chrystal Water & Power Co./Ice Plant building at the end of Church Street in Spencer. The building, now on the National Register of Historic Places, also has a plaque noting that historic distinction.
Carol also reported on the Spencer State Hospital Cemetery sign project. The sign made of cast aluminum is currently located in the field beside Spencer Elementary School off Rte. 36. The 1997 sign has deteriorated and needs redone or replaced & perhaps moved to a more visible place. Sewah Studios, Inc. of Marietta, OH was the original maker of the sign. They have quoted a price of $800 to refurbish the sign. The society would be responsible for taking the sign down & shipping it to the Studio. Motion was made by Melissa Swisher and seconded by Linda Liss to have the sign refurbished. Motion carried unanimously
NEW BUSINESS:
Rick reminded those present that during the June 23rd meeting, a Nominating Committee needs to be formed to nominate officers for the 2016-17 fiscal year.

In relation to the Spencer State Hospital Cemetery sign project, we may want to consider contacting city officials about having the refurbished sign placed in a more prominent location. Spencer City Manager, Philip Smith, is considering a “next project” of much greater scale than the recent Ben’s Run Trail historic kiosk project. He will be putting together some kiosks for a new trail around the former Spencer State Hospital grounds and in the Civil War Park area on hill behind present-day WalMart. He would very much welcome the help of the Roane County Historical Society. He is willing to come to one of our meetings and discuss the project further
GOOD OF THE SOCIETY:
As discussed at the April meeting, Rick has invited Ms. April Gardner & perhaps a couple of other ladies of the Kanawha Valley DAR [Daughters of the American Revolution] Chapter to come to our June 23rd meeting as program guests. The K. V. DAR is interested in starting a DAR Chapter in Spencer, Roane County.

June 23, 2016 is the Society’s 23rd Birthday! We will celebrate with cake & ice cream.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. with refreshments provided by Carol Board-Westfall.
Submitted by,
Linda Cottrell Liss
Secretary Pro Tem


Comments?
Copyright © 2002-2021 Roane County Historical Society, Inc.