In 2009 the Roane County Historical Society, Inc. took on an ongoing project to commemorate and recognize pre-1910 (100 year old) buildings and homes in Spencer, Roane Co., WV. To that end eighteen buildings and homes have been recognized and bronze plaques have been installed identifying their place in Spencer's history. A walking tour brochure has been prepared to aid those wishing to see the structures first-hand.

The RCHS meeting for December 16th was canceled due to the weather conditions in Roane and surrounding counties.
Perhaps a work day/meeting can be scheduled for a later date.
Next regular meeting is scheduled for, Thursday, March 24, 2011.

The RCHS met on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Roane County Library with five members & one guest present. President, Rick Greathouse called the meeting to order and Linda Liss led the opening prayer. The pledge to the flag was recited.

In absence of the Recording Sect?y, minutes of the previous meeting could not be read.

Carol Board-Westfall, Treasurer, gave her report. No receipts. $75.99 disbursements. Balance $18,123.41. Copy filed with minutes.

Corresponding Sect?y/Membership Sect?y, Linda Liss reported that she had mailed greeting cards where needed. She contacted 28 local members as a reminder about the date change for this month?s meeting. Question: Why are members not attending these important meetings?
She has contacted the 15 members three times who have not paid their 2010-11 dues. Five persons decided not to renew and we have rec?d two new members. Present membership: 197, a net loss of three. Report copy filed with minutes. Carol Cronin also posted ?Final Issue? on Newsletter cover. Names will be removed from roll if not paid by December 16th.

Carol Board Westfall reported that no new books have been added to the library.
The Fall-Volume 18, Issue 1 of the newsletter was mailed this week.

Carol announced that our 17th Annual Genealogy Fair will be advertised in the 2011 Roane County Chamber of Commerce (WV) Travel Guide.

Old Business:
Linda Liss reported that she and Marvin Stemple of the RCHS Essay Scholarship Committee met at 6 p.m. and finalized guidelines and the application form for the Essay Scholarship. A timeline will co-incide with Roane County High School schedules, with it being presented to interested Seniors in January 2011.

Carol B/W reported on the plaque project. There should be enough funds on hand to do seventeen plaques this year. She has contacted many area churches and has heard back from some.
She researched the Goad house near Walton and found that it was built in 1917. The house is quite impressive and is being restored room-by-room by its present owners. After discussion, motion was made by Linda Liss and seconded by Paul Hughes to relax the society?s 100 year criteria for plaques, this one time, and go ahead and place a plaque on the Goad home. Motion carried unanimously. Carol will contact the Hollan family of her findings and the society?s decision.

Carol reported that a photo of Ralph Nester had been found to include with his pictures that are being framed.

Linda Liss is working on a book of photos and histories of the buildings/homes which were included in the 2009 plaque project. She needs additional information on several of the homes & buildings.

New Business:
Rick announced that an information packet has been received for the 2011 WV History Hero presentation. Name has to be submitted by the end of 2010. Tabled until the December 16th meeting.

Due to the Christmas holidays the next meeting of the RCHS will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 16th, 2010. ONE WEEK EARLY. Holiday refreshments will be served.

The business meeting adjourned and our guest, Mr. Paul Greathouse of Richwood, WV, presented a program of music on the mountain dulcimer.

Those present were: Marvin Stemple, Linda Liss, Carol Board-Westfall, Paul Hughes, Rick Greathouse and guest, Mr. Paul Greathouse.

The Roane County Historical Society, Inc. met Thursday, August 26, 2010 at the Roane County Library for their regular monthly meeting. Mike Hill led an opening prayer and the pledge to the flag was recited.
Carol Board-Westfall, Treasurer, read the minutes from the July meeting and gave the Treasurer?s Report. Johanna Nutter served as secretary, pro tem.
Linda Liss, Membership & Corresponding Secretary, reported the loss by death of one member, bringing membership to 192. Members who had not paid their 2010-11 dues have been contacted.
Carol Cronin, Newsletter Editor, reported that she is working on the Fall Issue of ?The Journal? newsletter . She welcomes articles of historical or genealogical nature for publication.

16th Annual Roane County Genealogical Fair
Saturday, September 25th
9 a.m. ? 3 p.m.
Heritage Park Community Building in Spencer.
Johanna Nutter, Fair Chairperson, reported that she has received several requests from vendors for table-space. Mr. Joe Geiger, Director of W. Va. Division of Culture and History Archives, will be the 10 a.m. guest speaker. As in past years, the American Legion Auxiliary will take care of the food service.
The society is still looking into identifying, reframing and moving several pictures from the society?s library to a vacant wall in the downstairs common area. This will free up wall space for more shelving to store and display additions to the library?s collection.
Also, the society is continuing the process of identifying historic homes, churches and other buildings in Roane County to recognize with a plaque. Any pre-1910 home or building is eligible for inclusion in this ongoing project if it still displays some of its original architectural features. If you own or know of a qualifying structure, please contact Linda Liss at 304-768-2207 or by email at WVRoots@aol.com.
Now that the new school year has begun, the Society will soon be accepting and processing applications for the first annual $500 scholarship to be awarded by the R.C.H.S. Participating Roane County High School seniors will be invited to write an essay on their family history/genealogy. The winning essay will receive the scholarship during the school?s Spring awards ceremony.
Those in attendance were: Carol Board-Westfall, Rick Greathouse, Hazel Gandee, Mike and Shirley Hill, Carol Cronin, Denver Gandee, Johanna Nutter, Wilma Rhodes and Linda Liss.
The next meeting of the Roane County Historical Society, Inc. is scheduled for Thrusday, September 23rd, 7 p.m. at the Roane County Library downstairs. Members are urged to attend and guests are welcome.

Historical Society Elects 2010-2011 Officers

The Roane County Historical Society, Inc. met Thursday, July 22, 2010 at the Roane County Library. Rick Greathouse, president, called the meeting to order and led an opening prayer. The pledge of allegiance was recited.

Susan Tucker, secretary pro-tem, read minutes from the June meeting.
Carol Board-Westfall gave the treasurer?s report.
Linda Liss, membership & corresponding secretary, reported one new member, bringing the membership to 193. Annual dues, $12. for the 2010-11 fiscal year are now past due. She will send reminder e-mails and letters to members who have not paid.

Reminder: The 16th Annual Roane County Genealogical Fair will be held on Saturday, September 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Heritage Park Community Building in Spencer. To reserve table space to sell books & other genealogy related materials you may contact Johanna Nutter, Fair Chairperson, at 304-927-0390 or e-mail her at johanna@wvroane.org Cost per table: $10. Those persons needing table space, but not selling anything, need to reserve table space as well.
Mr. Joe Geiger, director of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History Archives, will be our 10 a.m. guest speaker for the fair.

The report from the Nominating Committee was read by Susan Tucker. Those nominated and elected for the 2010-2011 fiscal year are:
President ? Rick Greathouse
1st Vice President ? Jack Nida
2nd Vice President ? Paul Hughes
Recording Secretary ? Susan Tucker
Membership/Corresponding Secretary ? Linda Cottrell Liss
Treasurer ? Carol Board-Westfall

The RCHS is looking into identifying and reframing several photos located in the downstairs area of the library. Susan Tucker will look into prices for the project.

Plaque Project: The Society is still trying to identify historic homes and buildings in the Spencer area to recognize with a plaque. Those pre-1910 buildings, homes, churches may be remodeled but must retain some of their original features to meet the criteria established by the society. If you own or know of a qualifying structure, please contact us at P. O. Box 161, Spencer, WV 25276 or email the corresponding secretary at address below.

The meeting adjourned with refreshments being served to Carol Board-Westfall, Susan Tucker, Rick Greathouse, Bernard and Patty Wyatt, Paul Hughes, Hazel Gandee, Jack and Jean Nida and Linda Cottrell Liss.

The next meeting will be Thursday, August 26 at 7 p.m. at the library, lower level. Members are urged to attend and guests are welcome.

For more information, contact Linda Cottrell Liss at: WVRoots@aol.com.