By Ronda Wertman
Tribune Correspondent
KEYSER - Remembering the past and looking to the future, the Mineral County Historical Society honored its members during the annual banquet.
Each year the society remembers those members who have passed away since the last banquet. A book is presented to a local library in memory of the member and a candle is lit in their memory during the memorial service.
This year’s service was held for Edna Baker, Madeline Blue, Dorothy Fleming, Dr. Donald Kiser and Donnie Leatherman.
As part of the annual banquet, the society extends an honorary one-year membership to the Golden Horseshoe winners.
This year, Frankfort Middle School boasted all four winners. Two of the students, Kaitlyn Jan and Justen Stimmetz and their parents, were on hand for the dinner. Also receiving honorary memberships are Dylan Abe and Karalee Geis.
Society embers returned their officers of the society for coming year. Continuing to serve are: President Ed McDonald, Vice President Frank Roleff, Secretary Beverly Chaney and Treasurer Pam Williams.
Joining Nancy Marshall and Cody Pancake on the board of directors is Alice Russell. Outgoing board member Kermit Garretson was thanked for his years of service on the board.
The society recognized its 2009 History Hero, Elizabeth Dye Walker. Walker was honored during History Day at the West Virginia Legislature earlier this year.
Walker is credited with providing the financial
support to purchase the Old Stone House for the Mineral County Historic Foundation. Additionally, she funded the exterior renovation and the construction of the foundation for the back porches.
In 2008, she shared her stories of growing up in the Stone House in her book, “The Old Stone House: Traveler’s Rest: A History in Bits and Pieces.”
Proceeds from the book benefit an endowment for the continued restoration and preservation of the building and grounds.
Walker is continuing to work for the Stone House. She recently donated two original watercolors of the Stone House and surrounding area, which will be fundraisers for the Stone House.
The Order of Crozet is the historical society’s highest honor. “We convey this honor to someone who has made a significant contribution of preserving and raising awareness of the Mineral County Historical Society,” said Treasurer Pam Williams.
Named for Claudius Crozet, who accepted the challenge to create the original Route 50, the award is presented annually.
Crozet served with Napoleon, attended West Point and went on to be the state engineer for Virginia.
This year’s recipient was recognized for his contributions to the State of West Virginia.
“He inspired our members with vision and leadership from July 2005 to the present,” said Williams as she recognized society President Ed McDonald.
She praised his efforts in chairing the monthly board and membership meetings, recording the activities of the society in news releases and the newsletter, and presenting the annual state of the society.
Accepting the award, McDonald questioned whether his involvement “stands up with that of past recipients.”
In another award for McDonald and his wife Karen, Williams presented each with a commemorative Silver Dollar celebrating Louis Braille on behalf of Frank Pancake.
Williams explained that Pancake wanted to acknowledge the efforts of the McDonalds for sharing their personal experiences with blindness.
In recent years, they have shared their time and talents to educate members on blindness and the use of Braille.
They recently travelled to Charleston meeting with Governor Joe Manchin in an effort to make West Virginia a leader in recognizing blindness and the use of Braille.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille and $10 of each Silver Dollar purchased goes to the National Federation of the Blind.
Williams noted that the back of each of the dollars is in Braille.
In another award, McDonald in turn inducted Williams into the Order of Crozet.
McDonald praised her passion for history, involvement in academics and talents in managing the financial affairs of the society.
The society’s Nancy Hanks Symposium was a result of Williams’ hard work.
“Pam took the lead and the result was a very impressive history making event,” said McDonald, adding that she wrote the grant, secured the presenters and handled the publicity.
“Pam was the driving force behind the program,” he said. “We call you our colleague with respect. We call you are friend with love.”
“It’s my job to report to you on the state of the society,” said McDonald as he began his annual year in review.
“I would say first of all that the state of the Mineral County Historical Society is evolving. We are not the same organization we were a year ago,” noting the loss of five members and the addition of six new members.
“2009 has been a great year to be in the history business. As historians or at least history enthusiasts, we are attracted by major anniversaries like centennials and bicentennials. And so the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial has given us the perfect opportunity to move into some new directions that we have not explored before,” added McDonald.
“We decided that the Lincoln bicentennial would be the ideal occasion to celebrate the life and times of our native daughter, Nancy Hanks Lincoln,” said McDonald, noting that as the plans for the recent symposium came together it enlisted the involvement of local and state officials including the Mineral County Landmarks Commission, County Commissioners, Nancy Hanks Home-Owners’ Association, West Virginia Humanities Council, West Virginia State Senate and House of Delegates, and Gov. Joe Manchin.
McDonald reviewed recent programs, including Lincoln scholar Dr. Phillip Stone, president of Bridgewater College in Virginia, Civil War medicine, Van Myra Camp Grounds in Burlington, the community of Westernport, TM&P Railroad and preservation of the Headsville Bridge.
The society continues to promote the Patterson Creek Settlement Map, the memorial book program in honor of late members and is working on the creation of a website.
“During the past year we have assumed ownership and with it the responsibility for preserving and maintaining two pieces of property that have some historic significance in Mineral County,” said McDonald of the Barrick Cemetery plot off Pine Swamp Road and the Millar McCarty Memorial Stone, off Patterson Creek Road near Headsville.
Other projects include the annual Veterans’ Day parade in downtown Keyser; maintaining the Nancy Hanks Memorial and to helping the Mineral County Historical Foundation with the restoration of the Carskadon Mansion and the Stone House.
