Wood County Historical and Preservation Society honors downtown organizations
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PARKERSBURG -- Three recipients of the James P. Vaughan Awards have been announced by the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society.
They were Downtown PKB, St. Francis Xavier Catholic and the Ross Foundation and Discovery World on Market.
The historical society each year recognizes persons or organizations for preservation efforts in the categories of Arts and Letters, General Historic Preservation and Building Preservation. The awards are given in honor of the late James P. Vaughan, founder and long-time president of the society.
Recognized in the category of Arts and Letters was Downtown PKB. Its work in recent years, especially the murals at Eighth and Market streets, has improved the downtown area. Accepting the award was Executive Director Amanda Stevens.
The Ross Foundation was presented the Vaughan Award for Historic Preservation. Creating Discovery World not only created an adaptive use for a beautiful building, but will bring activity and growth to downtown Parkersburg. Accepting the award was Discovery World Executive Director Wendy Shriver.
The Vaughan Award for Building Preservation was given to the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Over the past several years the parish has completed major restorations to the church and the Parish House, and opened the Parish Center in the old Kresge building. Accepting the award was Father John Rice, pastor.
The awards were presented at the annual dinner and business meeting on Nov. 27 in the Fort Boreman Meeting Room of the Judge Black Annex.
The meeting concluded with a program by Martha and Richard Hartley titled "Christmas at the Blennerhassett Mansion" in which they discussed the parties, food and Twelfth Night celebrations that might have been held by the Blennerhassetts.
Elected as officers for 2024 were: Bob Enoch, president; Dottie Bibbee, 1st vice president; Bob Langkamer, 2nd vice president; Dina Braniff, treasurer; Diana Hill, secretary; and directors Carole Wigal, Mark Rhodes and Christy Little.