KVHPS Newsletter

2010-09-28T20:07:00.001-07:00

Up and

Down the Valley

Summer 2010

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE KANAWHA VALLEY HISTORICAL & PRESERVATION SOCIETY

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H. Rus Warne

Architect of Charleston’s Renaissance

By Russell Young, KVH&PS Director

In the last issue of Up & Down the Valley, it was mentioned that Glenwood Grade School was designed by noted Charleston architect H. Rus Warne. It would be worthwhile here to inform (or remind) readers about his genuine professional significance.

H.(Harry) Rus Warne was born in Parkersburg in 1872. He received his basic architectural training at the Ohio Mechanics Institute, which later became part of the University of Cincinnati. He established a practice in Parkersburg in 1892, but he also traveled extensively both domestically and abroad. He supplemented his studies at the renowned Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris.

He relocated to Charleston in 1902, as the city was obviously beginning a surge in growth. Much work was available then, and numerous local architects were kept actively engaged; but undoubtedly Warne was chief among them. He earned that same status among architects statewide as well.

A detailed description of Warne's life and times would easily fill a fascinating book. Given the limits and intents of this newsletter, it might be most effective to simply itemize hisimpressive body of work and allow it to speak volumes for itself. Even then, it would be a more manageable task to confine the list to his designs located just within the city limits of Charleston:

R. G. Hubbard Company Building (constructed in 1902); Kanawha Hotel (1903, demolished); Elk Hotel (1904, dem.); Edgewood Country Club (original in 1906, and reconstruction after fire); St. Marks United Methodist Church (1912); Scottish Rite Cathedral (1912); United Fuel Gas Company (1913); Masonic Temple (1915, dramatic addition and remodeling of 1895 original); Kanawha County Courthouse (1917 & 1924 major additions to 1892 original); Roosevelt Junior High School (1922); Charleston City Hall (1922); Glenwood Grade School (1923); Coyle & Richardson Department Store (1924); Woodrow Wilson Junior High School (1925, dem.); Charleston High School (1926, dem.); Charleston Daily Mail (now Charleston Newspapers, 1927); St John's Episcopal Church, rectory and parish house addition (1928); J. E. Robins Grade School (1929); Garnet High School (1929); Appalachian Power Company Office (1930); Littlepage Terrace and Washington Manor public housing projects (c.1930s).

Also, the following residences (dates of construction require further research): 1302 Kanawha Boulevard (now UMW H.Q.); 1520, 1546 (dem.) and 2006 Kanawha Boulevard; 1330 and 1603 Virginia Street East; the Hubbard Mansion at Washington and Broad Streets (dem.); the Grosscup Road Historic District – Nos. 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 (Warne's personal home) and 15; 1223 Staunton Road; 811 Bridge Road; the Brockman home at Norwood Road; 905 Edgewood Drive; 2915 Kanawha Avenue.

As exhaustive as this account may seem, there

are likely omissions to be revealed through deeper

research (and possibly conveyed in a later addendum). But bear in mind, an equal or greater list could also be compiled of Warne's works outside of the capital city, throughout West Virginia and elsewhere. His ability to work so competently in such a diversity of building types, and interpret the elements of such a wide spectrum of styles, is a true testament to his talents and skills.

He certainly embodied that rare combination of both quantity and quality. The contributions of his various partners should not be dismissed, but Warne unquestionably was the driving force. He retired in 1947, after a long and prolific career, and continued to consult with associates until his death in 1954. The firm he originally established remains vital today, well over a century later, as Silling Associates, Inc.

Imagine what it might have been like touring Charleston with Mr. Warne, sometime during his last years, as he constantly pointed in all directions at his substantial handiwork. He could have rightly claimed to have played a primary role in the developmentof the city. He would likely be proud, today, that many of his structures are being well maintained; but also disappointed, perhaps even saddened, that some have been demolished well before their useful lives had expired.

Please go to the Photo Gallery (or, projects > historian's corner) for an impressive sampling of Warne’s work.

Inside the Society

On Tuesday, August 10, the Officers and Directors met at the home of Director Jean Miller.

President Battle reported that Priscilla Haden, of the WV State Board of Education, has made a request to develop a curriculum on the Kanawha County textbook controversy for WV middle and high schools. KVH&PS would have no part in it, but would be mentioned in all materials as the original sponsor of the "Textbook War" documentary and exhibit.

Mr. Battle said that the Harden-Gilmore records rescue has been put on hold while awaiting the participation of Fred Armstrong – and cooler weather.

He then reported that the owners have been asked for permission to move the column capital of the old Capitol Annex, which now sits in a back yard on Quarrier Street, to Huntington Banks' property, formerly the site of the Annex. Director Russell Young (Plaques & Monuments) said Curry Monument will do the marker.

Mr. Battle said that the June 19^th FestivALL historic house tours, led by himself and Director Billy Joe Peyton, went well.

During a discussion of the Civil War Trails Project, Director Richard André suggested that the city park on the west bank of the Elk River at Lee Street would be an ideal spot for public lectures to tourists of the Charleston trail.

Director Joe Wollenberger reported that two rare photographs of the construction of the Municipal Auditorium had been found recently.

On the subject of the consolidation (and subsequent closing) of several West Side Methodist churches, Henry Battle said that Central Methodist – whose church is the most architecturally interesting – is in talks to sell its building to another church group.

Director Evelyn Harris asked about the status of the project to create an Historic District for the "Shrewsbury Block" – the former site of Downtown Charleston's black business district. Director Young said that it was "moving along slowly," and that the Charleston Historic Landmarks Commission is now involved.

Young also reported that at the time of his death ten or 12 years ago, Rodney Collins, an architectural historian at the State Historic Preservation Office, was working on a history of WV architects, and that SHPO now has his extensive archives.

Obituaries

Historical preservation has lost several stalwart supporters recently. All of them worked diligently and passionately for the cause in varying ways. Each of their considerable contributions spanned many years. They will be greatly missed by those who love history and the arts.

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Jean Blair

Clara Jean Blair passed away on Saturday, August 7, 2010, at the age of 83. She was a long-time member of KVH&PS, and for the past three years served as the Society's Membership Chair, handling dues receipts and helping to tabulate the results of elections. She was also active in the Chappell Gardens Club.

In 1948, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry at WVU, and worked at Union Carbide for several years. For 20 years beginning in 1987, she served as office manager and receptionist at Blair & Company, the accounting firm headed by her son, KVH&PS Treasurer John D. Blair Jr., CPA

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Sam McCorkle

Samuel Comstock "Sam" McCorkle, 89, died Saturday, June 26, 2010. He is probably best known as "the fire extinguisher man," having operated Property Protection Company in Charleston for nearly 50 years, beginning in 1946.

But he was also deeply involved in the community. In addition to being a life member of KVH&PS and serving as a Director for many years, he was also on the board of the Salvation Army and was active in the West Virginia Humanities Council.

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Jeff Miller

Charleston designer Jeff Miller, principal of Hunter/Miller + Associates and the owner of Stray Dog Antiques on Hale Street, died suddenly on Monday, June 21, 2010, at the age of 68. As a designer, he specialized in historic renovation and the adaptive reuse of older buildings.

He served on the boards of festivALL, Arts Advocacy and Create West Virginia, and was the founder and driving force of the Hale Street Antiques Fair. He was also involved with West Side Main Street, in the redesign of MacCorkle Avenue in Kanawha City, and challenged the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority over the FBI's proposed use of the area around the Quarrier Diner.

Lecture on Charleston History

With the permanent movement of the state capital to Charleston in the 1880s and the growth of industry and commerce, people flocked to the city for work, shopping, and entertainment in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Although the city has changed considerably over the years, the past still matters.

KVH&PS Director Dr. Billy Joe Peyton will give a lecture on "Charleston: Then & Now" at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 7, in the Archives and History Library at the Culture Center. Peyton will show views of past and present Charleston and discuss the history the changing landscape reveals.

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So. Chas. Interpretive Center

The Midland Trail (now U.S. Route 60) was established in 1790 by George Washington, in order to connect eastern Virginia to the west and promote the growth of industry.

The South Charleston Interpretive Center is the first of many planned to be located along the Midland Trail. The purpose of the Center is to convey to visitors the history, beauty and natural resources of West Virginia through interactive kiosks, videos and audio presentations.

The Center currently features exhibits on and artifacts from the Creil (South Charleston) Mound, the Blenko Glass Company, and Union Carbide. Having visited there about a year ago to see the "Belgian Glassworks" exhibit, we can testify that the Center puts on a first-class show, and is well worth the trip.

The Center is located at 313 D Street in the restored historic LaBelle Theatre building. Hours are Mon.- Fri. 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., Sat. 11:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Call 304-720-9847 for info.

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"Textbook" wins another award

Producer Trey Kay's radio documentary, The Kanawha County Textbook War – already a recipient of the prestigious Peabody Award and the regional Edward R. Murrow Award – has now won the national Edward R. Murrow.

2010-09-28T19:59:00.000-07:00

Up and

Down the Valley

Winter 2005

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE KANAWHA VALLEY HISTORICAL & PRESERVATION SOCIETY

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Featured Property

Kanawha Boulevard

NOTE: Each issue of Up & Down the Valley will feature one of the properties from the Society's "Threatened List," providing additional details on its historical background and architectural significance, and the latest information on its status.

Well, not exactly this time. In July of 2003, when KVH&PS released its "List of Threatened Historic Places," it was the subject of much discussion in the press and elsewhere. At the time, it was an up-to-date roster of those properties the Society felt were most in danger of being lost. But that was more than a year and a half ago, and a lot has changed since then – which is why discussion of a much-needed revision is on the agenda for the upcoming Board meeting in February.

Happily, a revision is necessary in part because several properties on the List have been placed in good hands or otherwise have seen an improvement in their circumstances, and thus may no longer be imminently endangered. These include the 1939 Municipal Auditorium, the 1905 Tiskelwah Grade School, the 1906 Capito House and the c.1900 Harden-Gilmore House. The Society can be justly proud of its contribution to steering these historic places towards safe harbors.

Now for the bad news: At least one artifact that was not even considered for the 2003 List has lately caused significant discussion among the public and at Society Board meetings, due to the recent emergence of various schemes to alter its historic character – the 1940 Kanawha Boulevard.

One of the problems involved is convincing some people that the Boulevard is, in fact, an architectural landmark worthy of preservation – and not just "some road."

* * *

Before the Kanawha Boulevard was built, two-lane Kanawha Street meandered along the riverbank from the Elk River, through downtown Charleston, and thence through the East End. Downtown, commercial buildings lined not only the north side of the street – as now – but also the river side of the road. By the 1930s, the riverfront properties had become rundown waterfront "slums" – as a look at the familiar picture taken from the South Side at the time will attest. In addition, city visionaries, led by three-term mayor D. Boone Dawson, worried about riverbank erosion and whether Charleston would ever become a "main line town" without an uninterrupted route through the city.

In 1936 and 1938, Charleston voters approved bond issues totalling $2.3 million to build the Boulevard. This was combined with approximately $2.2 million from FDR's Works Progress Administration for a total cost of about $4.5 million – a staggering sum in today's dollars for what amounts to five miles of roadway. But the Boulevard is more than just "some road" – it consists of four distinct components: the four-lane thorofare, the upper and lower walkways, the "green space" along the riverbank, and the Elk River bridge – an engineering marvel at the time that still performs its intended function.

The details of construction have been compared to "the building of the Egyptian pyramids" and are fascinating – but too numerous to mention here except in summary. Waterfront properties were purchased from

their owners and demolished; tens of thousands of tons of pavement were removed and disposed of; hundreds of thousands of tons of materials were dredged or quarried from the Elk and Kanawha valleys and laid in place; about 100,000 yards of ground were sodded or seeded; 25,800 cubic yards of new concrete were poured.

When the project was finished in 1940, Mayor Dawson commented that what had once been Charleston's "back yard" had now become "the front yard of the city – an engineering and civic achievement known throughout the nation." On Sept. 1, 1973, the Boulevard was paid for when the city made its last payment on the bonds.

* * *

The first inkling that the historic character of the Boulevard could be tampered with came in April of 1999, when the WV Department of Highways arbitrarily dug up the grass median, from California Avenue to the 35^th Street Bridge, and paved it over with blacktop. The public outcry was such that the very next day, Gov. Underwood ordered the DOH to replace the grass. This fiasco cost the taxpayers $106,000.

Then in August of 2001, the city began to discuss renovation of the walkways – which have deteriorated badly – and the lighting. It was suggested that the concrete sidewalks be replaced with a different material, both to save money and to make them more "jogger-friendly." Everything from blacktop to crushed stone to mulch was considered. KVH&PS president Henry Battle and then-vice president Richard Andre sent a letter to the city and the newspapers, stating that the Society was opposed to "any significant modification of the original 1940 design." In the end, the city agreed with their recommendation of gray, concrete-colored asphalt.

But things really started to heat up early last year, when a private developer approached the city and attempted to lease the entire downtown Kanawha riverbank – from Haddad Riverfront Park to the Elk River – in order to fill it with a marina and commercial buildings. In response, at its August meeting the Society's Board of Directors passed a resolution to support preserving the Kanawha Boulevard "as originally designed." On November 9, President Battle and Directors Richard Andre, Allan Tweddle and Russ Young attended a "planning meeting" – hosted by the Capital Area Development Corporation and the Riverfront Committee of City Council – at which these and other ideas were discussed. The Society's representatives presented a "position paper" elaborating on the Society's stand on the matter.

A follow-up meeting of the Riverfront Committee was held on January 11, 2005, during which it was further suggested that the riverbank be redesigned to give it a more gentle slope, in order to make access to the river easier. In addition, the committee decided to write a request-for-proposal to solicit bids from architects and designers for a "master plan."

Another idea proposed at the meeting is one that keeps turning up like a bad penny: that one or two lanes of the Boulevard (or all of them downtown) be closed to vehicular traffic. The current city administration seems to support it; in September of 2004, two architects speaking at a meeting of the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation suggested it as part of yet another "master plan"; in 2001, the East End Neighborhood Association advocated lane-closure; in 1999, Charleston Renaissance pushed for a reduction from four lanes to three.

This idea almost always meets with great resistance, on three very well-founded counts: Public safety, traffic flow, and aesthetics. When it was brought up in 1996 during the Melton administration, spokesman Chris Canfield remembers, "We got crucified."

* * *

Let's put this all together, shall we? We're going to: 1) line the riverbank with commercial buildings, thus spoiling the view; 2) undo the shoring-up by going back to a "more gentle slope" – prone to erosion; 3) reduce the four-lane Boulevard to a meandering road through the city.

Does this not sound like a reversal of the original vision for Charleston's waterfront?

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SALLY CHASE TODD

1910 – 2005

Sally Lewis Dickinson Chase Todd, a descendant of one of the Valley's more prominent pioneer families, passed away on January 28 at the age of 94 in Richmond, VA. Mrs. Todd, the daughter of Henry Clay Dickinson and Margaret Young Dickenson, was a faithful and generous supporter of the Kanawha Valley Historical & Preservation Society and a contributor to many charities and historical organizations in her adopted city of Richmond. Her continuing interest in KVH&PS was emblematic of her warm regard for her Charleston roots. She will be greatly missed. A private burial was scheduled to be held in Spring Hill Cemetery.

DR. JOSEPH SKAGGS

Dr. Joseph Skaggs passed away on September 1, 2004. He and his wife, Jeanne Skaggs – both lifetime members – were generous contributors to the Society.

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Harden-Gilmore update

On January 29, the Society and Simpson Outreach held a public meeting on the reuse of the Harden-Gilmore House. Approximately 45 people offered ideas – from a day-center or jazz-oriented restaurant to a Black History/civil rights museum. Though fund-raising was not the main thrust, $5,000 was raised on the spot. In addition, the Leon Sullivan family expressed interest in a civil rights museum bearing their name.

2010-09-28T19:43:00.001-07:00

Up and

Down the Valley

Autumn 2004

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE KANAWHA VALLEY HISTORICAL & PRESERVATION SOCIETY

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Featured Property

Harden-Gilmore House

By Henry Battle

The Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church on Shrewsbury Street has been bequeathed the historic Harden-Gilmore House at 514 Leon Sullivan Way in Charleston (see Item 6 on our Threatened List). The Church has formed a committee to explore what can be done to rescue and restore the home of one of Charleston’s most prominent African-American community and civil rights leaders.

I am on that committee, along with Jeff Allen, Regional Director of the Community Development Outreach Ministries of the United Methodist Church; Anthony Kinzer of the WV Center for African-American Art & Culture (who addressed us last fall); John Williams of the Governor’s Workforce Development Office; and, of course, the Rev. Ernest Watkins and other leaders of Simpson Memorial. In addition, Terrell Ellis has offered, pro bono, her services and those of her firm, Terrill Ellis & Associates, Inc., in putting together a multi-faceted plan involving public outreach and renovation grant-acquisition and fund-raising, as well as professional planning for the ultimate use of the facility. I believe that together all of us have the "horsepower" to finally get something done with the Harden-Gilmore House.

The 2 ½ story brick house was built between 1897 and 1900 as a private residence and remains the sole

survivor of what was once a high-fashion Charleston

residential area. On the National Register of Historic Places since 1988, it unfortunately has been neglected and vandalized. The building remains structurally sound and certain distinctive features survive: a columned two-story portico, uncommon in an urban setting, and the unusual aproned windows across the front (now obscured by later additions).

The building’s real significance, however, lies in its 40-year role as the home and business of Elizabeth Mason Harden Gilmore (ca. 1910-1986), a prominent African-American businesswoman and leader in a time when Blacks were excluded from many of the affairs of the general community. Her community involvement naturally led to vigorous leadership in the local and state-wide civil rights movement. In addition, she was an

active member of a wide array of social and educational organizations, including the Girl Scouts and the West Virginia Board of Regents (on which she served as President).

The Harden-Gilmore House, at an Interstate exit and a mere half-block from the Avampato Museum, has the potential to be a major attraction as an African-American Museum housing the extensive Black history of southern West Virginia. Our Society has the opportunity to be a significant partner with a responsible group in this project, somewhat in the same manner as we were with the West Virginia Humanities Council on the McFarland-Hubbard House.

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BARBARA GIVENS MITCHELL

1933 – 2004

Barbara Mitchell, long associated with this organization in various capacities, passed away on July 30. Best known for her work with the Boy Scouts, and active in at least a dozen historical and genealogical societies, she served as KVH&PS's secretary from the late- '70s to mid- '80s, and, during her final illness, continued to help with membership mailings. According to Membership Chair Jean Miller – our longest-serving officer – "...she was a wonderful, caring person." Her spirit of volunteerism will be missed by many in the Kanawha Valley.

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Sunrise update

The restoration of the exterior of the Sunrise mansion is now complete, including cleaning the stone and repairing and painting the wood trim. Thanks to architect David Marshall's detective work, the trim was painted in the original cream color.

Inside, the painting has likewise been completed. The woodwork has been repaired and refinished; the extensive Grand Hall wood paneling is now being cleaned and treated.

All of the work is on schedule to be finished in time for the planned occupancy date of November 12.

2010-09-28T19:26:00.000-07:00

Up and

Down the Valley

Spring 2004

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE KANAWHA VALLEY HISTORICAL & PRESERVATION SOCIETY

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Featured Property

Municipal Auditorium

By Henry Battle

During its 65-year history, Charleston's 1939 Municipal Auditorium has continuously faced challenges to its very existence. In fact, its initial construction was strongly opposed by some. In 1958, completion of the Charleston Civic Center caused city officials to question whether it should be retained, but cooler heads prevailed, and a lengthy restoration was finished in 1967. Most recently, the auditorium was put in peril by the Clay Center – despite the fact that neither venue provides anything in the auditorium's "mid-range" seating capacity of 3,400. Once again, it appears that the venerable (and architecturally valuable) Muni will be saved, as manager John Robertson has just announced plans for an ambitious $7-8 million upgrade.

As a part of that, I’m pleased to report that Tom Rhule of Merrill Photo, archive photographer, has completed the lengthy project of photographing, enhancing and recording in digital form a three-volume scrapbook on the Municipal Auditorium begun in 1935 by Harry Silverstein, City councilman, president of Community Music and dedicated leader of the Auditorium building project. After his death in 1944, his daughter, Lois S. Kaufman, continued collecting newsclips, photos and event programs until the mid-'50s, thus covering the early history of the Municipal Auditorium from the public discussions before construction to its peak as a central part of Charleston’s cultural life. This fragile and invaluable 20-year record has been put on CDs for presentation to the Silverstein heirs and the Municipal Auditorium management.

Furthermore, the City will print and mount selected images from the scrapbook for display in the Auditorium’s lobby area. John Robertson and Mary Jean

Davis of City Council have taken up the project with enthusiasm, and we have plans to expand the accumulated history, from several sources, into an educational display in a proposed lobby addition (we even have the groundbreaking shovel!)

Mrs. Kaufman’s generosity and the city’s enterprise will bring to the general public the background, past glory and potential future of this most beloved of Charleston's performance spaces.

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One man's crusade

Valley Road

Valley Road, in the Edgewood section of Charleston, is one of the city's few remaining brick streets. After it was damaged in the June, 2003, floods, the city wanted to pave it over with asphalt.

This didn't sit too well with Robin Godfrey, a Charleston attorney who resides on the street. So Godfrey organized about a dozen of his neighbors into an informal group, "Save Our Historic Street."

Then he began to negotiate with the city to find a way to repair the bricks, but was told that a full restoration would cost as much as $400,000, and that the Federal Emergency Management Agency considered Valley Road too damaged to qualify as a historic site. (In other words, "We can't pay to fix it because it needs to be fixed"!) FEMA said it would provide only the $15,000 required to repair and blacktop Valley.

But Godfrey said the group wasn't seeking a total restoration. "Only 10 to 15 percent of the road is damaged. We only want the city to make repairs to the flood damage," he told The Charleston Gazette last summer.

So Godfrey and his group found an Ohio company, the Athens Block Co., that makes the same style bricks as the ones on Valley Road. The city agreed to pay $4,200 for the 7,000 bricks needed for the repairs from its maintenance fund.

On February 14, Godfrey and neighbor Jonathan Clark traveled to Athens to escort the bricks back to Charleston; later that day, members of SOHS began unloading them from two tractor-trailers. The group also got a local landscape architect to draw up a construction plan to present to the city.

Historical preservation isn't always about big buildings and civic monuments. This is a sterling example of how a "grass roots" effort is sometimes the only way to save the less-noticed but just as important things that make up our historical landscape.

"History Hero"

Charles T. "Chuck" Pierson: 1952 - 2003

Chuck Pierson, founder and owner of Mountain Masonry Technologies, passed away on November 5, 2003. Chuck specialized in historic preservation, and often worked closely with preservationist architects like Paul and David Marshall. He was responsible for the masonry work on several buildings in the Downtown Charleston Historic District, and on Boreman Hall at WVU – just to name a few.

He was perhaps best known among architects and property owners for his skill in mixing authentically colored mortars to match original and often age-weathered materials. The State of West Virginia recognized his contributions to the preservation and promotion of WV history by giving him its "History Hero" award.

Perhaps no better example of his dedication to historic preservation can be found than his work on the "ladies stepping stone" at the 1815 Holly Grove Mansion. Chuck repaired, cleaned and re-set the stone, donating materials and labor valued at nearly $1,000. One can now look at this object and imagine one of the Ruffner ladies climbing onto her horse and riding off down what is now Kanawha Boulevard.