Beverly Heritage Center Completion
Ribbon-Cutting Celebration
14 May 2015
Friends and supporters gather on the new Beverly Heritage
Center patio to cut the ribbon for the completed facility. Phyllis
Baxter, President of Historic Beverly Preservation, and Richard
Wolfe,
President of Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation hold the ribbon,
while
BHC Executive Director Darryl DeGripp wields the scissors. Among the
more than 80 supporters attending, visible in the photo are Jess
Arbogast, Randolph County Chamber of Commerce (left of Baxter),
Denise
Campbell and Bill Hartman, WV House of Delegates (between Baxter and
DeGripp), Arden Swecker, RMBF, Victor Greco, project architect
(between
DeGripp and Wolfe), and (right of Wolfe) Susan Pierce, WV Deputy
State
Historic Preservation Officer.
A new sign, patio, sidewalks, and landscaping, and Courthouse
reconstructed cupola with weathervane are the final features
completed for the Beverly Heritage Center.
Phyllis Baxter (back to camera) offers thanks to the
many supporters and funders who helped complete the Beverly Heritage
Center. Major funders including WV Department of Transportation, WV
Division of Culture and History, National Park Service, and John C.
Allen, Jr. Among the audience are Beverly Heritage Center supporters in
period dress, who often provide docent services and living history for
visitors.
Architect Victor Greco of the Mills Group, was the lead
architect throughout the Beverly Heritage Center project. He shared
insights about the significance of the history expressed in the project.
Former BHC directors Michelle Depp and Terry Hackney look on.
Susan Pierce, WV Deputy State Historic Preservation
Officer, discusses the commitment and funding for the BHC project
provided by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, including
grants both from her office and the WV Commission on the Arts.
Stephen Smoot, a representative from Congressman Alex Mooney,
conveys the Congressman's best wishes on completion of the Beverly
Heritage Center.
Charlie Friddle gives a sponsorship donation of $2500 from
First Energy Corporation for the continued support of the Beverly
Heritage Center. Receiving the donation are Baxter and Arden Swecker,
Treasurer of Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation.
The mostly glass entrance gallery of the Beverly
Heritage Center welcomes visitors to the facility.
 Mountain Winds Woodwind Ensemble entertains with 19th century
parlor music. Musicians are Morris Kittle (from back) on clarinet, Linda
Wolfersheim on bass clarinet, and Richard Evans on flute. Mountain Winds
frequently plays for special occasions at the Beverly Heritage Center.
|
Governor and Mrs. Francis Pierpont, portrayed by
Pamela and Art Dodds, are frequent guests at Beverly Heritage Center
events. |
Open house celebration attendees converse and enjoy
homemade treats in the BHC gallery.
