West Virginia History Heroes
Contents
1997
Beverly Fluty
Dr. David Javersak
Phyllis Dye Slater
Audra Wayne
1998
Margaret Brennan of Wheeling has been a driving force behind many efforts to preserve local history. As president of the Wheeling Area Historical Society, she promotes area history through her research, writing, and public presentations. She is the author of Florence Crittenton Home and Services: A Century of Service to Mothers & Babies, 1895-1995. Nominated by: Wheeling Area Genealogical Society.
Mary Lou Henderson is the president of the Wheeling Area Genealogical Society and helps coordinate the genealogy service in the Wheeling Room of the Ohio County Public Library. She has also worked extensively to translate and publish old German church records. Nominated by: Wheeling Area Historical Society.
Holly McCluskey of Wheeling is the curator of the Oglebay Institute Mansion Museum and a nationally recognized authority on West Virginia glass. She has developed a number of children's programs at the museum, including "Pioneer Living," "Ohio Valley Glass," and "A Journey on the National Road." Nominated by: Wheeling Area Historical Society.
Gerry Reilly of Wheeling is the director of West Virginia Independence Hall, the state's birthplace and a satellite facility of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. He was formerly the curator of collections at Oglebay Institute Mansion Museum and currently serves as president of the Victorian Wheeling Society. Nominated by: Wheeling Area Historical Society.
1999
Ellen Dunable of Wheeling is on the board of directors of the Wheeling Area Historical Society, the Oglebay Institute Mansion Museum Committee and DAR chapter chaplain. As an avid postcard collector, she has contributed to numerous local exhibits and programs. Nominated by: Wheeling Area Historical Society.
John R. Logan of Wheeling has worked as a Wheeling Area Genealogical Society volunteer in the Wheeling Room of the Ohio County Public Library for more than 20 years, assisting family history researchers. He arranged to copy the St. Matthews Episcopal Church records and re-produced the Patent Map of Ohio County to provide public access to the wealth of family and local history. Nominated by: Wheeling Area Genealogical Society.
2000
Chris Hess of Wheeling has been very active in Wheeling's historic preservation efforts both as an advocate and financial supporter. An original member of Victorian Wheeling Landmarks Foundation, he has collected woodworking and molding equipment and produces needed Victorian period moldings. Nominated by Victorian Wheeling Landmarks Foundation and Eckhart House Tours.
Rabbi Daniel Lowy of Wheeling retired after 21 years as spiritual leader of Temple Shalom in Wheeling, where he served as volunteer archivist for the Craft-Good Archives. Since retirement, he has been researching and writing a history of the ISO-year contributions of the Jewish community in Wheeling. Nominated by Friends of Wheeling, Inc.
Snookie Nutting of Wheeling has been involved in the restoration of more than 30 of Wheeling's important and historic structures. She was first president of Preservation Alliance of West Virginia and founder and first president of the Victorian Wheeling Landmarks Foundation. A member of the West Virginia Archives and History Commission since its inception in 1977, she received national recognition as West Virginia advisor to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Nominated by Victorian Wheeling Landmarks Foundation and Eckhart House Tours.
Dr. Edward Wolf of Wheeling, professor emeritus of music history at West Liberty State College, has served as treasurer of the Wheeling Area Historical Society for more than 15 years. He is the recognized authority on Wheeling's music history, and has written articles and presented lectures on the German singing societies, Wheeling theaters and Eleanor Steber. He also serves on the board of the West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation. Nominated by Wheeling Area Historical Society.
2001
Hester Byrum of Wheeling is a charter member of Friends of Wheeling, West Virginia's oldest historic preservation organization. She served as treasurer of the organization from 1969 to 1989 and is now director emeritus. She has had perfect attendance at Friends of Wheeling activities and events for more than 20 years. She also researched, wrote and portrayed Sarah Beck in the "Tavern Ladies," a program she produced for the National Pike Festival and other festivals and schools. Nominated by Friends of Wheeling.
Ed Phillips of Wheeling has been actively involved in local and Civil War history. He served on the board of the Ohio Valley Civil War Roundtable and is currently a board member of the Wheeling Area Historical Society. His untiring research has resulted in important books on General Benjamin Franklin Kelley and the Atheneum, a Civil War prison which was located in Wheeling. He has presented informative programs to many groups in the Wheeling area. Nominated by Wheeling Area Historical Society.
Harley E. Warrick of Wheeling, a barn sign painter, for years was familiar to many in south Wheeling as he stopped to pick up his paycheck at Bloch Brothers Tobacco Co., one of West Virginia's oldest companies. Part of a two-man crew which painted "Chew Mail Pouch Tobacco" on barns from Maryland to Missouri, the unassuming Warrick was the sort of man of which legends are made. Attired in trademark coveralls and painter's cap, he drew nationwide media attention. Nominated by Friends of Wheeling.
2002
John A. Artzberger dedicated himself to the interpretation of Wheeling and West Virginia history all his adult life. He was curator of the Oglebay Mansion Museum from 1964 to 1975, director of the expanded Museums of Oglebay Institute from 1975 to 1998, and senior curator of the Museums until his death in November 2001. He designed the exhibition plan for the Oglebay Institute Glass Museum and served on the interpretation committee of the West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation board for more than 20 years. Nominated by the West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation, Inc.
Bill Carney of Wheeling has been an active member and vice president of the Wheeling Area Historical Society. He is an expert on the crime history of Wheeling and has presented various talks on the subject. He writes for the Upper Ohio Valley Historical Review and is a generous resource for researchers. Nominated by the Wheeling Area Historical Society.
Cameron native and architect Tracy Stephens, now of Wheeling took up the work of Fredric Faris in 1956 on the Wilson Lodge at Oglebay Park. He assumed Faris' office and has maintained a file of Faris' projects throughout West Virginia. Stephens' projects include the restoration of West Virginia Independence Hall, 1966-84, and restoration of St. Joseph Cathedral, 1995-96. Nominated by Friends of Wheeling.
2003
William Klettner of Wheeling has been an outstanding member of the Wheeling Area Historical Society (WAHS) for many years and currently serves on its board. He has enriched the historical fabric of the Upper Ohio Valley by producing and sharing numerous audiovisual presentations on such topics as the Battle of Fort Henry, the Ohio River, Lewis Wetzel and the Battle of Philippi. He recently served on the planning committee for the 150th anniversary of the B&O Railroad arriving in Wheeling, designing the logo and presenting his video, "B&O: The Vanished Odyssey in the Ohio Valley." Nominated by the WAHS.
William E. Maxwell of Wheeling is an asset to the Wheeling Area Genealogical Society (WAGS) and to the patrons of the Wheeling Room of the Ohio County Public Library, which houses the society's record collection. Mr. Maxwell's contributions include collecting and maintaining newspaper articles for the vertical files; working as a volunteer to help visitors; serving as chairman of the book committee; and volunteering to work at genealogy fairs and expos. He is presently serving as treasurer and corresponding secretary of the society. Nominated by the WAGS.
2004
Hydie Hopkins Friend has been active in historic preservation and supported historical projects in Wheeling for years. As executive director of the Wheeling National Heritage Area, she has encouraged and supported numerous history projects including the Baltimore and Ohio 150th anniversary celebration and the recent Wheeling Symphony Orchestra history. An acknowledged historic preservationist and certified city planner, Hydie has helped develop comprehensive plans for the historic town of Philippi and the Rich Mountain Battlefield among others. In addition, she has consulted on interpretive exhibits related to Wheeling's industrial and transportation heritage and the statehood of West Virginia. Nominated by Wheeling Area Historical Society.
David B. McKinley is dedicated to the preservation of the history of the City of Wheeling. While others deem it necessary to tear down old buildings in order to begin anew, David has worked diligently to find ways to renovate many of the old buildings that played an important part in the development of the city. His vision has brought about the redevelopment of one of the largest areas of commerce in the early history of Wheeling. Lately, he has developed the concept of a new "College Square" for West Virginia Northern, that if realized, will completely revitalize the south end of Chapline and Market Streets, a critical area in downtown Wheeling. As per his standard practice, he has developed a plan to restore a building that is vacant and in disrepair and to combine that design with the nearby historic B&O Railroad Building, the current home of West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC). Nominated by WVNCC Alumni Association.
2005
Brent Carney of Wheeling is a consultant and researcher for the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation, which is currently completing a project to place historic signage along Wheeling's Walking Trail. He is the author of Bethany College, and co- author of Images of America: Wheeling, and Wheeling In Vintage Postcards. An instructor in history at Wheeling Jesuit University, Carney presents programs for local historical and genealogical groups and generously shares his knowledge with other researchers.
Nominated by Wheeling Area Historical Society.
Jeanne Carter has been an active member of the West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation, Inc. for over 15 years. She has participated in the planning and execution of numerous interpretive programs at WVIH Museum. Carter has researched and developed the living history characters of Lydia Boggs Shepherd and Laura Jackson Arnold, which she has presented to many groups and organizations throughout the state. She has also been an active volunteer at Jackson's Mill for many years.
Nominated by West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation, Inc.
Linda Cunningham Fluharty, a Wheeling native, created and maintains the website of the Wheeling Area Genealogical Society, as well as the West Virginia GenWeb sites for Marshall, Pleasants and Calhoun counties. She also has websites for four complete West Virginia Civil War regiments, all related to the Wheeling area. Fluharty has compiled three Civil War books: On the Way Home...West Virginia Soldiers on the Sultana; Civil War - West Virginia, Union Lives Lost; and The Civil War Letters of Lt. Milton B. Campbell, 12th West Virginia Infantry.
Nominated by Wheeling Area Genealogical Society.
2006
Sister Joanne Gonter, V.H.M., is the historian at Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy in Wheeling. She has assisted numerous researchers, provided material for various publications and collaborated in setting up exhibits at the Stifel Fine Arts Center, Oglebay Institute Mansion Museum, Wheeling Jesuit University and the Catholic Heritage Center. Sister Joanne was a member of the commission that planned the West Virginia Catholic Heritage Center. She is the official tour guide for Mount de Chantal and gives talks on the history of the institution to local organizations.
Nominated by Wheeling Area Historical Society.
June Jefferson copied application records for naturalization and transferred them to pages, resulting in the creation of eleven indexed books covering the period of 1837- 1904. Jefferson also created a book from more than two hundred memorial cards that she collected, copied, and alphabetized. She hopes to produce another book with cards collected from all over the United States. These books have been added to the Ohio County Public Library.
Nominated by Wheeling Area Genealogical Society.
Debra Keddie has provided invaluable supporting services in the development of the National Road Alliance of West Virginia, and has been instrumental in disseminating the story of the National Road. A founding member of the organization, she served as president for two years and has been integral to its success through the development of interpretive materials, fund raising for projects and forming successful partnerships for the purpose of informing and educating the public. She is a board member for the six-state National Road Alliance and is chairperson of the 200th anniversary events to be held in 2006. Keddie also wrote the successful application for Scenic Byway status, and set up and manages the listserv for West Virginia by-ways. She served on the board of Preservation Alliance from 2002 to 2005.
Nominated by National Road Alliance of West Virginia, Inc.
Bettie Steele has been a member of the West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation for more than fifteen years and has worked on several interpretive and fund raising programs for the WVIH museum. In 2003 she researched, wrote scripts, and directed "Voices of the Civil War," a major interpretive program held in the museum's historic courtroom. She is also a guiding force behind the foundation's efforts to raise funds for an exhibit of original West Virginia Civil War battle flags planned for the museum.
Nominated by West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation.
2007
Jeanne Finstein is a major contributor to preserving the history and built environment of Wheeling. She is president of Friends of Wheeling, a local preservation group, and recently co-authored a book on a National Road community, Walking Pleasant Valley. Finstein is a member of the board of directors of the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation and chaired the dedication ceremony for the new statue of labor leader Walter Reuther. She is a member of the commission for the National Civil War Memorial proposed for Wheeling and was a facilitator for a national DVD on the United States Constitution, Foundations of Freedom.
Nominated by Wheeling Area Historical Society.
Nancy Lewellen Roe has served the Wheeling Area Genealogical Society (WAGS) as its president, vice president, and secretary. She has been a volunteer in the Wheeling room and has trained others to help. Always a willing worker, Roe gladly volunteers to work at expos, book sales, fairs, and other events. She has also done research for others and made contributions to WAGS's Web page on the internet. At present, Roe is compiling Ohio County Infirmary (Poor Farm) records and Oakland Cemetery records.
Nominated by Wheeling Area Genealogical Society.
Joan Weiskircher is a dedicated member of the West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation, and is actively involved in the current fund drive for the West Virginia Civil War Battle Flag permanent exhibit. During 2006, she researched the foundation's history, developed a Web site and created a database for the fund-raising campaign. In the community, Weiskircher is involved in organizing local observances of Black History Month. She has helped to collect and preserve West Virginia Northern Community College's collections of Hazel Atlas glass and B&O Railroad memorabilia, and also serves as secretary of the West Virginia Association of Museums board of directors.
Nominated by West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation.
2008
Judi Hendrickson is secretary of the Friends of Wheeling, a local preservation group. She recently researched and co-authored a book Walking Pleasant Valley, a history of the old Wheeling homes and families along the National Road, and is currently researching the Woodsdale area for an upcoming book. Judi presents programs on Victorian wedding traditions and the history of tea. In 2003, as coordinator of the Lewis and Clark Project at Wheeling Jesuit University, she organized the distribution of educational materials to schools in West Virginia. Judi also researched and presented the character Sacagawea to children all over the state.
Nominated by Wheeling Area Historical Society.
As current regent of the Wheeling Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Deborah M. Smith has emphasized preservation efforts. She recently purchased the Third Presbyterian Church in South Wheeling, preventing the church’s demolition. She currently is restoring the building, a project that has been adopted by the Wheeling Chapter, which holds meetings in the building. Smith is also a member of the Friends of Wheeling and the Wheeling Area Historical Society, and has presented programs on historic preservation. A Mayor’s Award recipient, Smith is also restoring her fifth Victorian home, a former girl’s halfway house in Wheeling Island’s Historic District.
Nominated by Wheeling Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.
Currently serving as recording secretary for the Wheeling Area Genealogical Society, Phyllis Walters started by filing obituaries for the late Audra Wayne. She took over the task in 1998 and since has developed her own system. She spends 20 to 30 hours per week on obituary filing work. Additionally, Phyllis has served on the book committee and assisted others with their tasks.
Nominated by Wheeling Area Genealogical Society.
2009
John Bowman is a longtime, active member of the Wheeling Area Historical Society and in 2008 published a definitive study of Wheeling—The Birthplace of the American Steamboat. A local expert on Ohio River and local steamboat history, he has presented talks on this subject at various local venues. John also has constructed fifteen models of local steamboats and recently donated five of them for display at the West Virginia River Museum at Point Pleasant. In addition, he has indexed the run of the Upper Ohio Valley Historical Review and is currently working on a pictorial book of Ohio Valley steamboats.
Nominated by Wheeling Area Historical Society.
Gloria Palmer Brinkmeier has held several offices with the Wheeling Area Genealogical Society (WAGS) and currently is treasurer and a member of the book committee. She designs and prints the yearly program book and volunteers in the Wheeling Room of the Ohio County Public Library. She developed a tracking system for books and CDs, developed and chaired a new family history contest for eighth graders in Ohio County schools, and was co-author of a book on Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In addition to WAGS, Gloria is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, in which organization she served as chapter secretary for three years and presently is chapter historian.
Nominated by Wheeling Area Genealogical Society.
Kate Quinn has been a tireless researcher, writer, and portrayer of historical characters. Her most recent Wheeling portrayal is Amelia Sprigg Campbell (1818-1898), a member of one of the city’s most influential families. Not only did Kate research the Sprigg and Campbell families, she prepared a script, created her costume, and made first-person presentations at the 2008 Greenwood Cemetery Tour, sponsored by Friends of Wheeling. Quinn also has written on historical subjects for publication in the Valley Magazine and Upper Ohio Historical Society Journal and has made presentations on local history to several groups.
Nominated by Friends of Wheeling.
Gary Wayne Timmons promotes West Virginia’s Revolutionary War history and exemplifies the goals of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) to preserve, perpetuate, and educate about the patriots and history of that event. He was president of the George Washington Chapter for four years and has been a district deputy with the SAR for seven years. He has raised funds, researched West Virginia patriots, compiled a list of Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Ohio County, and helped install markers for soldiers buried in the tri-state area. In 2007, he co-chaired the 225th anniversary celebration of the siege of Fort Henry. Timmons also has compiled a list of men who served at the fort during its thirteen-year existence and currently is spearheading preparation of a Fort Henry brochure.
Nominated by George Washington Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution.
2010
Sean Duffy is active with several historical groups in the Wheeling area. He co-founded and organized Wheeling Jesuit’s first annual Constitution and Citizenship Day, which was the launch celebration for the completed Foundations of Freedom project. For the re-opening of the Capitol Theatre, Duffy located the original silent film that aired when the theatre opened in 1928 for showing on the eve of the re-opening. An employee of the Ohio County Library, he organizes the library’s Lunch with Books, a program that features local historians, writers, and performers. Author of The Wheeling Family (2009) about Wheeling’s immigration history, Duffy is working on a book for the Arcadia series.
Nominated by Wheeling National Heritage Area
There is not an organization that prospers without the “dependable regulars,” and Hazel Kerby is that kind of member of the Wheeling Area Genealogical Society. She has been a faithful member and volunteer for a decade. Even though she does not drive, she assists with the registration table for workshops, files obituaries, which are glued on index cards, and makes herself available to assist in any way possible.
Nominated by Wheeling Area Genealogical Society
Joan Moore McClelland has held several offices with the Wheeling Chapter, NSDAR, and as regent from 2001 to 2004 was instrumental in revitalizing the chapter. She currently is treasurer for the state society and is on the president general’s (national) speakers staff. She was a charter member of the Ohio County old-fashioned fair at Oglebay, designed to keep historical and non-commercial skills alive. A certified genealogist, McClelland has helped many people trace their Revolutionary War patriots and has volunteered many hours in the Wheeling Area Genealogical Society’s Wheeling room at the Ohio County Public Library. She also headed the 75th-anniversary celebration of the “Madonna of the Trail” statue in Wheeling.
Nominated by Wheeling Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
The late David Naegele served the WVNCC Alumni Association as president (1999-2003) and vice president (2004-2007), and he was elected to another term as vice president in 2009. He also served on the board of directors. Naegele was responsible for creation of an electronic database containing more than 5,000 items from the association’s B&O Collection. For more than 10 years, he worked on an annual exhibit of historic B&O photographs and artifacts. Naegele was instrumental in creating West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation’s Web site, and he maintained that site as well as those of the alumni association and the West Virginia Association of Museums.
Nominated by West Virginia Northern Community College Alumni Association
Betty June Wymer is a key resource in the study of Wheeling history. She is an authority on and collector of items made in Wheeling, especially glass such as Hobbs-Brockunier, Northwood, and Central and pottery such as Warwick China, and freely shares her knowledge. She has donated much of her collection to Oglebay Institute. She is a founder of the National Association of Warwick China and Pottery Collectors and is the former editor and current co-editor of the organization’s newsletter. Wymer also was the moving force behind the erection of a monument at Wheeling Heritage Port in 2009 to honor the workers and heritage of Warwick China Company.
Nominated by Wheeling Area Historical Society
2011
For the past four years, Bro. John Byrd, FMS, and Ginger Kabala have worked as a team to create the South Wheeling Preservation Alliance, which seeks to identify, preserve, and promote the unique spirit and character of the South Wheeling neighborhood. Brother John was its first president, and Ginger is the current president. In addition to revitalization and beautification efforts, they are leading the group in the development of an oral history project and are working to identify extant historic structures in the South Wheeling neighborhood. Ginger is also a member of the Wheeling Heritage Roundtable, and Brother John often serves as a volunteer at various functions for Wheeling Heritage.
Nominated by Wheeling National Heritage Area
Glenna Dillon has been a member of the Wheeling Area Genealogical Society for almost ten years and currently is a board member, book committee member, and occasional substitute secretary. She is a very active genealogical researcher, transcriber, and compiler, as well as a conscientious and reliable society member who helps as a volunteer in the Wheeling Room at the Ohio County Public Library. For several years, she has volunteered for Fort Henry Days. Dillon researched and wrote The Cemeteries of Ohio County, West Virginia (2007), and she has extracted records for several funeral homes.
Nominated by Wheeling Area Genealogy Society
Mary Davis Gumbita is historian for the Wheeling Chapter, NSDAR, and is an inspiring, award-winning member whose historic preservation efforts through artistic “scrapbooking” and promotion of Constitution Week have won three state awards and three national awards. She lends her genealogical skills to help others find their roots. She taught American history, West Virginia history, and civics for 39 years and so many of her students were Golden Horseshoe winners that she received an honorary Golden Horseshoe in 1995.
Nominated by Wheeling Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
Rebekah Karelis is an active participant in the history, archives, and preservation efforts in the Wheeling area. As a staff member of the Wheeling National Heritage Area, she worked to research, refurbish, and reopen the Capitol Theater and also to organize and conserve its archives. Rebekah currently is compiling a book on the history of the radio program It’s Wheeling Steel. She has begun taping speakers at Wheeling Area Historical Society meetings. She also has written articles for the society’s publication The Upper Ohio Valley Historical Review and recently became its editor.
Nominated by Wheeling Area Historical Society
Shirley Miller has been a member of the board of directors of the West Virginia Northern Community College Alumni Association for fourteen years and has served as chair of the Hazel Atlas Historic Collection Committee for twelve years. In 1997, she began developing the collection, which has expanded from 80 to more than 1,000 items. Miller acquired a broad knowledge of Hazel Atlas Glass, traveled extensively to purchase items, and sought donations. She also recorded oral histories from several former employees. Miller developed a major exhibit of the glassware in 2000 and recently helped organize a display in the Ohio County Library.
Nominated by West Virginia Northern Community College Alumni Association
Ryan Stanton, a local educator, is a member of the board of directors of Friends of Wheeling. In 2010, he chaired the society’s “Passport to Wheeling” event, helping organize an education tour of the Wheeling waterfront in partnership with the Wheeling Heritage Trail Association and portraying Henry Schmulbach. Ryan is researching the life of Schmulbach, a Wheeling brewery owner, and collecting information and artifacts about the brewery; and he has presented programs on the man to several groups. Stanton is a member of the Wheeling Area Historical Society, South Wheeling Preservation Alliance, and Upper Ohio Valley Civil War Roundtable.
Nominated by Friends of Wheeling
2012
Anne Hazlett Foreman is an award winning artist whose work depicts many historical scenes and the lives of everyday West Virginians. An active member of the Wheeling Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, her entry in the Constitution Week poster contest won first place at both the state and national levels. Anne has contributed her artwork to raise funds for various Wheeling Chapter historic preservation projects. In addition, her murals adorn the historic Wheeling Market House and the Fort Henry Room at Oglebay Park’s Wilson Lodge, and she has provided illustrations for historical books and Ft. Henry Days living history.
Nominated by Wheeling Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
Lou Horacek, assistant director of the Ohio County Public Library (1995-2011), almost single handedly developed and maintained the archives, special collections, and online historical collections of the Ohio County Public Library. He has gone beyond the call of duty working quietly behind the scenes to bring large portions of those collections into the 21st century, scanning and cataloging hundreds of historic images and creating the library’s “History On-Line” feature. Through his efforts, primary source documents related to local, regional, and state history are now instantly available on the Web to researchers around the world. He also helped revive interest in an early Wheeling novel, Hearts of Gold by J. McHenry Jones.
Nominated by Ohio County Public Library
2013
Deacon Douglas W. Breiding, president of the Wheeling Area Genealogical Society for the past two years, has been instrumental in the design of a database of interments from all local cemeteries that eventually will permit retrieval of a list of interments based upon a variety of criteria. Still in the test phase, the database has more than 26,000 records of interments. He has designed other databases for cemeteries and created maps for several of them, and, in 2012, he received the Friend of Mt. Calvary Award for maintaining the database of Mt. Calvary Cemetery interments. In addition, Deacon Breiding periodically offers a beginner’s genealogy course at the Ohio County Public Library.
Nominated by Wheeling Area Genealogical Society
Linda S. Comins is a champion for West Virginia Independence Hall. A member of the board of the Independence Hall Foundation, she served as president for five years. She also was involved in the Civil War Battle Flags Committee and serves on the Battle Flags Film Committee. An active member of the Wheeling Civil War 150 Commemorative Committee, Comins coordinates a monthly series of newspaper articles on Civil War-related events. She has helped to promote the Friends of Wheeling’s Greenwood Cemetery tours, written extensively about historic preservation efforts, and been a strong advocate for the preservation and interpretation of local history and historic structures. With a lifelong interest in the state’s history, Comins achieved the highest score statewide on the Golden Horseshoe test in 1969.
Nominated by Friends of Wheeling.
Kathie Reed and Frances Weekley are the Ohio Valley Chapter, NSDAR’s, genealogy team who work tirelessly to record local and family history. They have taken old listings of cemeteries and produced books to preserve the information for future generations. Kathie and Frances were instrumental in organizing a memorial/funeral for a World War II soldier whose body was found 60 years after his death, researched and organized grave markings for three Revolutionary War soldiers, helped with a memorial service for a Civil War soldier and restoration of his grave stone, and rescued grave stones from the old Hays Cemetery. Both have held positions in the chapter and state organizations; currently, Frances is chapter recording secretary and Kathie is chapter librarian. Nominated by Ohio Valley Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
Joanne Sullivan has been involved with Wheeling area history and historic preservation organizations for many years. Her most important contribution has been her photography. An active member of Friends of Wheeling, she faithfully photo-documents the houses and buildings that the group tours and makes them available through an online photo-sharing web site. Joanne also makes her photographs of historic, endangered and demolished houses and buildings available to local organizations for use in their projects. More important, she is an advocate for saving and relocating important Wheeling records and artifacts. She is truly an asset to the Wheeling area historical community.
Nominated by Wheeling National Heritage Area.
2014
A 25-year member of the Wheeling Chapter, NSDAR, Sally Wells Ezell has served as chaplain and finance chairman and has headed many committees to promote historical preservation. She currently is chapter registrar. While membership was in decline, Ezell conducted several workshops and worked with individuals on their family history, resulting in new members for the chapter. She has presented many programs to the chapter and has written articles on several historical sites in the Ohio Valley. She also is state chairman of the Blanche Reymann Scholarship.Nominated by Wheeling Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
Under the leadership of Lee Kelvington and Baird Kloss, the Wheeling Big Band Society, Inc., has worked for several years to preserve the music and heritage of the big band era. In addition to creating and organizing exhibits and reunion shows, one of the society’s major projects has been the book It’s Wheeling Steel: The Story of Wheeling’s ‘Coast to Coast’ Celebrated Radio Program, on which Kelvington and Kloss partnered with the Wheeling National Heritage Area to publish in 2012.
Nominated by Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation
Nola Jean Parks has been a member of the Ohio Valley Chapter, NSDAR, since 2001 and has served as vice regent, treasurer, and registrar. She encourages support of West Virginia soldiers at home and abroad and providing assistance to veterans. Through her persistent efforts, the chapter was able to donate approximately $1,500 toward purchase of a track chair for a veteran with severe mobility limitations. Parks also is a wealth of information on genealogy and can speak with authority on research and validating documentation. She currently is state chairman of the U.S. Flag Committee.
Nominated by Ohio Valley Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
It would be hard to find a photographer who has done more to protect, preserve, and add to the state’s photographic history than Gary Wayne Zearott. For decades, he has searched for old photographs of the Wheeling area and has preserved and duplicated them. His original photographs include a valuable record of the demolition of Mount de Chantal and repairs to the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, for which he served as official photographer when major repairs were done in the 1980s. In June 2013, Zearott documented Wheeling events that took place during the sesquicentennial celebration.
Nominated by Friends of Wheeling
