The Roane County Historical Society met Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 7 p.m. at the Roane County Library with eleven members and two guests present. The meeting was called to order by Rick Greathouse, President. Jack Nida, 2nd V.P., led the opening prayer and the pledge to the flag was recited by all.
The minutes from the August meeting were read by Recording Secretary, Susan Tucker. They were approved as read. Carol Board-Westfall gave the Treasurer’s report reflecting a balance of $16,731.15
Linda Liss, Corresponding/Membership Secretary who could not be present, sent her report which included mailing of greeting cards, dues reminder cards & new member packets as needed. Current society membership was reported as 204. She also sent thank you letters & information packets to Spencer Mayor Terry Williams and Jacob Fetty, Spencer’s Marketing Director for meeting with Executive Committee to discuss the Railroad Depot Museum.
Discussion continued with regard to the Museum. The Executive Committee will meet in the near future to decide whether to propose taking over the upkeep & management of the building. Special guest, Dr. Aaron Cottle, a supportive museum volunteer, is dedicated to keeping the building open for the present and the future as part of Spencer’s history. Upon request he conducts tours of the museum.
Johanna Nutter, Co-Genealogy Fair Chairperson, reported that she has received several responses from vendors & that a total of 25 tables will be needed. The fair is scheduled for Saturday, September 28th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Heritage Park Community Building in Spencer. The American Legion Women’s Auxiliary will have breakfast and lunch & beverages for sale.
Other old business included continued discussion regarding purchasing a commemorative plaque for the Flat Fork Church in Roane County. The purchase is postponed until the society gets a definite answer from the church trustees.
Also discussion continued regarding the purchase of a new computer for the society’s History Library. Prices need to be checked on and reported at a future meeting.
Susan Tucker reported that all of the Spencer newspaper microfilms have been converted to CD’s by the Florida-based firm, Digital Solutions. The microfilms and CD’s are stored in the society’s History Library.
Upon recommendation by Linda Liss and presented by Carol Board-Westfall, motion was made and properly seconded & carried unanimously to bestow the title of Honorary Life Member to Mr. Denver R. Gandee. Mr. Gandee has been an active and faithful member of the society, a long-time Roane County historian and an honored WW II veteran. He is currently a resident of Parkersburg, WV.
Board-Westfall reported that a collection of Keith Wolfe family pictures has been donated to the society’s picture library. The collection contains pictures of the Wolfe Cemetery and of Wolfe family members. Also, guest, Jane Hildreth Crutchfield, presented a collection of Hildreth family photos to the society. She is the daughter of the late Bliss and Grace McKown Hildreth.
The meeting adjourned with refreshments being served to: Tucker, Susie Wyatt, Board-Westfall, Greathouse, Jack and Jean Nida, Reva Paxton, Theresa Parker, Paul Hughes, Johanna Nutter, Melissa Swisher and guests, Spencer resident, Dr. Aaron Cottle and Jane M. Hildreth Crutchfield of Belchertown, Mass.
The next meeting to the R.C.H.S. is scheduled for Thursday, October 24th at the Roane County Library at 7 p.m. Members are urged to attend and guests are always welcome. To learn more about society activities or membership you may contact Linda Liss at WVRoots@aol.com

Inquiry from Aric Davis: Looking for photos of his grandparents, [1937] Left Hand, Roane County residents, Clarence O. & Icie Sims Davis.

The Roane County Historical Society met Thursday, August 22, 2013 at 7 p.m. at the Roane County Library with 14 members and 1 guest present. Rick Greathouse, President, called the meeting to order and led an opening prayer. The pledge to the flag was recited by all.
Susan Tucker, Recording Secretary, read the minutes from the July meeting. They were approved as read. Carol Board-Westfall, Treasurer reported a balance of $16,475.22. Copy filed for annual audit.
Linda Liss, Corresponding & Membership Secretary, reported that she had responded to inquiries and sent cards where needed. She reported the current membership at 202, a loss of four since July.
Board-Westfall reported that she has been working on cataloging the Civil War book collection [140 books] donated recently to the R.C.H.S. library. She also reported the donation of the book “Over the Mountain Men” – Montgomery/Fincastle Co., VA [1733-1831], and a copy of the book, “History of Roane General Hospital” have been donated to the library. Additional copies of the Roane General Hospital’s history are $10 each.
Plans are still underway for the Roane County Genealogy Fair scheduled for Saturday, September 28th at the Heritage Park Community Building in Spencer, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
A “Listing of Roane County Cemeteries” has been made available. There are still many cemeteries in Roane County that have not been recorded. The society is considering publishing a Vol. Six cemeteries book if enough recordings can be received.
It was noted that the computer in the society’s history room is very outdated and needs replacing. No decision made on this. The society provides a computer to history library patrons and makes Ancestry.com available to those visiting the library.
Further discussion took place regarding the RCHS managing Spencer’s Depot Museum located at the Heritage Park. Note after meeting: The Executive Committee of RCHS will meet with Mayor Williams on Tuesday, September 17th to learn more about the museum and what would be expected regarding renovation and upkeep of the building and its contents.
Tucker reported that she has scanned “Volumes A-Z’ of Roane County Births to DVD. The disks will be available at the genealogy fair in September, selling for $50 each. The DVD’s are user friendly and searchable.
Greathouse reported that our program guest speaker for the November 21st meeting will be Mr. Doug Wood who will present a historical presentation from his program repertoire. Subject to be announced.
The meeting concluded with Tucker showing how to use and search the Roane County Births DVD.
Refreshments were served to Bernard and Patty Wyatt, Melissa Swisher, Rick Greathouse, Paul Hughes, Brenda Whited, Peggy L. Starcher, Reva Paxton, Carl E. Paxton, Phyllis Counts, Hazel Cottrell Gandee, Carol Board-Westfall, Susan Tucker, Linda Liss and guest, Julie Petrie Gallup.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, September 26th at 7 p.m. at the Roane County Library. Members are urged to attend and guests are always welcomed. For more information about society activities or membership, one may contact Linda Cottrell Liss at WVRoots@aol.com.

Spencer, WV featured in WV Living as one West Virginia's Best Small Towns...
Link:
http://www.wvliving.com/Fall-2013/West-Virginias-Best-Small-Towns/index.php?cparticle=8&siarticle=7#artanc

Martha Coates is seeking to learn more about the history of Left Hand, Roane County, WV.