By: Beth Gain
The Clarksburg History Museum recently received a prestigious award from the DAR Daniel Davisson Chapter. During the museum’s April 23, 2024 board meeting, the Historic Preservation Recognition Award was presented to president Michael Spatafore and fellow museum volunteers by the local DAR chapter’s recording secretary, Doris P. Dean.
The process for award determination involves many steps, including a nomination from the local DAR chapter as well as letters of recommendation from community leaders.
Consideration began in July 2023 after Spatafore spoke about the work the museum was doing during the DAR’s district meeting. Subsequently, DAR Daniel Davisson chapter members agreed to begin the application process to formally recognize the museum and its volunteers. Along with Ms. Dean, Ms. Laura Fullen (Regent of the Daniel Davisson DAR) took upon themselves the task for researching media sources such as print, social media, and online articles which were needed to support the application.
The parameters established by the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution ensure that nominees have completed remarkable and notable work at the community level. Some of the achievement areas that DAR members look for in potential awardees include historic preservation of buildings, landmarks, and cemeteries, statues, manuscripts, documents and archival materials, as well as compilation of oral histories, serving as historical guides or interpreters.
Ms. Dean stated in her recommendation letter that she recognized the deep commitment of volunteers to capture the history of our area [in Clarksburg and Harrison County] which was evidenced by the museum’s growth in just 5 short years – in spite of the 2020 pandemic. Ms. Dean also recognized the work of knowledgeable volunteers who are always eager to give tours and who welcome visitors from far and wide.
“After Mike [Spatafore] spoke at one of our meetings several years ago and again at our July 2023 Central District Meeting in Clarksburg, we were very supportive of nominating Clarksburg History Museum,” states Ms. Dean in her recommendation letter. “I’ve enjoyed participating in several special events there [at the museum]. For several years I’ve been a small part of the conversations with volunteers about their ideas, works-in-progress, and plans for the future. I’ve had the opportunity to donate historical items to the museum from my personal collection so that others can enjoy them and relate to their own history in our community.”
Of note, County Commissioner Ms. Susan Thomas, also wrote a letter of recommendation for the museum for this project.
Visitors can learn more about the history of the DAR, its mission, and the Daniel Davisson Chapter through a special exhibit when they visit the Clarksburg History Museum. The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10am – 4 pm. There is no admission charge. School field trips may be scheduled through Mr. Spatafore; other group tours are welcome. Please find more information at www.clarksburghistorymuseum.com or call 304-641-4549.
Ms. Dean recognizes “the preservation of Clarksburg/Harrison County history in a single structure is the first successful project of this magnitude and the volunteers well deserve to receive the NSDAR Historic Preservation Award.”
”And the rest, they say, is history,” she added.