newsletter 4-5

Following two years of extensive research, Ron Nelson has announced that results of his findings are now published and available to the public. His book, Visitors to the Valley, records the famous people who have stopped here, passed through, or otherwise made an appearance in the valley. Readers will find the list, which begins in the 1850’s, both extensive and surprising.
Nelson obtained his documentation using micro-filmed newspapers at the Parkersburg/Wood County Public Library and many personal interviews.
Visitors to the Valley is available at Trans Allegheny Book Store or by contacting Nelson directly at 615-9170.

The Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike Alliance has contracted for the creation of two more CDs , to contain audio history of the western-portion of the turnpike. A few years ago Michael and Carrie Kline of Talking Across the Lines, completed audio histories of the eastern portion of the Pike. They are now in the process of gathering history and stories of the western portion of the famed turnpike.
The Turnpike Alliance is a group dedicated to preserving history and promoting tourism and recreation along the turnpike.

Word was received from the office of West Virginia State Archives that nearly fifty boxes of Parkersburg history have been cataloged and the contents are now available for research at the Culture and History Building in Charleston.
Bound volumes include personal property assessment records beginning in 1877, personal property tax books from 1903, real estate tax books from 1888 and an assortment of other records that may prove beneficial to researchers.
The boxes contain an equally important variety of documents– the listing is extensive. A complete listing can be viewed on the internet at:

Being a tribute to interested members, good speakers and a good program chairman, it is a great pleasure to report that our average meeting attendance for 2007 was 39.4 persons per meeting. Also, we mustn’t forget that we have an excellent meeting place at the library. THANK YOU ALL!
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With this issue, the mailing label on your newsletter may look a bit different. In that we aren’t routinely sending out membership cards, the numbers that you see to the right of your name indicates the year through which your membership dues are paid. An “L” indicates a life-time member.
As was announced on page #2, dues for 2009 will increase- annual membership to $15 and life membership to $150. For those who would like, life memberships are still available for a $100 donation.

Thanks to WCHPS member Ken Winans, an autobiography, done in 1924 by Dr. Delmar Brown, has been added to our collection. It covers the first seventeen years of Dr. Brown’s life.
An attached tribute by Dr. Fay Greene cites an anonymous epitaph to describe Dr. Brown. It reads:

Riddle: A part of me is made of wood, And part in earth is found, And both together firmly glued, Are sent the world round. What am I?
Answer: backwards A “LICNEP”