By Deb Herndon
A museum is not a library, but sometimes books are donated that contain important historical information. The Bice-Ferguson Memorial Museum recently received a treasure trove of such books from the collection of the late Dorothy Koon Hurst, through her daughter, Kathleen. Dorothy Koon Hurst was a long time member of the Shinnston Historical Association and was on the Steering Committee when the Association produced their 1982 book, “Recalling the Past, Looking to the Future,” which contains submitted area histories and submitted local family stories. In her later years, Dorothy became a source of historical and family information for many acquaintances through the telephone and mail.
Among the donated books, Withers’ “Chronicles of Border Warfare”, Harvey Harmer’s “Old Grist Mills of Harrison County,” and Henry Haymond’s History of Harrison County are all standard sources for the early settlements. Jack Sandy Anderson’s “Ramblings” and “Other Days” are both treasured by local history buffs. The Marion County History’s “A History of Marion County” offers submitted family stories as well as brief histories of communities. The 1880 “A History of Marion County” by George A. Dunnington has stories of the settlement and hardships endured by those who chose to come to Marion County in the early days.
“The Barnes Family in West Virginia” (1920) by Rev. I.A. Barnes is a small book which represents a painstaking amount of research before the age of instant gratification computer genealogy.
“Monongah Coal Mine Disaster 1907-2007” by nationally published photographer Ron Rittenhouse contains amazing historical photographs relating to the worst coal mine disaster in U.S. history.
Not necessarily of local interest, but of cultural interest is the 1911 “Social Etiquette” book that features some period photo type engraving and other interesting illustration. If you think young people have forgotten their manners, this book will prove you have, too!
These books and others join the Museum’s research collection. The Museum has comfortable and quiet areas where patrons can come and use these resources. The Museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Appointments for other times can be made by texting or calling Museum Director Debra Hurst Herndon at 304-677-6650.
written by Steve Goff and illustrated by Ed Mac, is
shown here. It is a collection of biographical stories
of West Virginia musicians.