By Stephen Smoot
For almost a quarter of a century, the former Quiet Dell schoolhouse has maintained its status as a building for education. Schoolchildren no longer attend classes there, but the site has emerged as a center of both history and the handing down of Appalachian handicraft traditions.
Since the closure of the school, the building and land have remained under the joint ownership of the Harrison County Commission and Harrison County Schools. For many years, the West Virginia Civilian Conservation Corps and Heritage Crafts Co-op have shared the building. Visitors from across the state and around the nation have enjoyed this slice of the Mountain State experience ever since.
Recently, however, developers started to eye the land on which the school sat. Their plans impressed officials to the point where the Board of Education and County Commission considered selling the property.
“I am opposed to . . . closing the building,” said Delegate Keith Marple (R-69). He added that if the need for maintenance on the building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was part of the issue, that he could secure State funding to help to make needed repairs. “I urge you to not vote to turn it over to developers.”
Almost a month ago, a delegation of residents shared concerns about the potential closure of the museum and co-op with the Harrison County Board of Education. Joyce Harlan at the time shared that “I am highly emotional” after describing painstaking work over years to fill the museum with artifacts, as well as the efforts of almost 30 craftspeople who use the co-op.
The Board of Education chose to take no action at that time.
Susan Thomas, Harrison County Commission President, stated during last week’s meeting “I’ve asked that this be put on the agenda,” referring to a discussion of the former Quiet Dell School.
Commissioner Patsy Trecost spoke first, saying that “I admit that I would have loved to see this sold for development,” but added that now “I see the passion.” Trecost then stated “I make a motion that we literally give this building to the board,” and also allocate $10,000 for repairs “so they know that we are always here for them.”
Commissioner David Hinkle then offered an alternative plan for the Harrison County Commission to keep it and then charge the organizations using it a $1.00 per year lease. He shared Trecost’s desire to provide funds to help to make repairs to “make it the shining star we should have years ago.”
The alternative motion negated the need to get Board of Education approval on a property transfer.
Commissioners then voted on both motions and passed Hinkle’s plan.
Both the museum and craft co-op remain open for visitors seven days a week. According to the museum website “we have over 75 donors who have provided over 300 items for the CCC Museum.” Most of the artifacts reflect history with “national overtones.”
Additionally “visitors have come from as far away as California and Canada . . . to experience what our generous donors have provided.”
