Benjamin Duvall-Irwin
Reviving an Ancient English Caroling Tradition ...

On Saturday, December 7th, I helped organize and uphold a unique and ancient English caroling tradition in Elkins, where we recreated this ancient English tradition at the Kump House in order to bless their apple trees, chasing out harmful spirits and waking the trees up for the coming winter so that they will have a bountiful harvest next fall. While this sounds strange, the event itself is more about bringing the wider Elkins community together in an evening of song and creating a fun tradition that will hopefully become a yearly event!

Reviving an Ancient English Caroling Tradition in Elkins, WV
Heritage
Benjamin Duvall-Irwin
West Virginia Instrument Anthology at The ...

Madeline Ricks is an AmeriCorps member with AFNHA, serving as the Collections Preservation Coordinator for The Augusta Heritage center in Elkins, WV. She has begun writing a new blog series for the Augusta website. Beginning with the African origins of the banjo, Madeline will take readers on a journey through the histories and cultural impacts of the instruments played in West Virginia’s musical traditions.

West Virginia Instrument Anthology at The Augusta Heritage Center
Heritage
Benjamin Duvall-Irwin
The Stories They Tell: Upshur County Images, ...

There are many interesting and unique materials housed in the Upshur County Historical Society Document Repository that have never been displayed in an exhibit. Some materials have been overlooked because, while interesting, they relate to a topic that is too narrow to warrant an entire exhibit. This year’s exhibit gives space for these materials to shine.

The Stories They Tell: Upshur County Images, Objects, Voices, and Places
Benjamin Duvall-Irwin
Preserving Black History for the Next ...

On June 19, Pleasant Green Church in Hillsboro underwent two restoration projects in collaboration with the Forest Service, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, AFNHA AmeriCorps, and Cultural Heritage in the Forest. The Forest Service creates partnerships like these within local communities to help support efforts of preservation. This partnership is overwhelmingly meaningful to us here at the Forest and AFNHA - connecting with Black students and sharing with them our state’s history is invaluable to the future of diverse involvement, public awareness, and funding for these sites. There is no West Virginia History without Black History, and it was our honor to share with them this part of their cultural past.

Heritage
Benjamin Duvall-Irwin
My Journey Through 4-H

This term in 2023-2024, my involvement with the 4-H History Round-Up project and my participation at 4-H Camp evolved together as the theme of this year’s camp was “A Journey Through 4-H”. The theme took campers through the past and into what may be the future of 4-H in 2115. That faraway date marked the 200-year anniversary of the world’s first 4-H Camp in 1915, “Camp Good Luck”, which took place in Randolph County! This theme gave me the role of putting all the Randolph County 4-H history I’ve learned in my service to direct use.

My Journey Through 4-H

Reviving an Ancient English Caroling Tradition in Elkins, WV

Reviving an Ancient English Caroling Tradition in Elkins, WV

On Saturday, December 7th, I helped organize and uphold a unique and ancient English caroling tradition in Elkins, where we recreated this ancient English tradition at the Kump House in order to bless their apple trees, chasing out harmful spirits and waking the trees up for the coming winter so that they will have a bountiful harvest next fall. While this sounds strange, the event itself is more about bringing the wider Elkins community together in an evening of song and creating a fun tradition that will hopefully become a yearly event!

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2023-24 AmeriCorps Highlights

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In our 2023-24 member service year, we supported 34 AmeriCorps members at 20 organizations whose sites, programs, and activities were visited by 39,860 individuals. These members delivered educational programs to an audience of over 5,000 individuals, treated and improved 1,052 acres of public land, and managed 1,501 hours of volunteer service. 1,184 individuals who participated in our stewardship education programs reported increased knowledge of environmental stewardship.

Read what some of our AmeriCorps members had to say about their service year:

"Hey everyone! My name is Madison Fernandez, and I'm currently serving with the Forest Service in Marlinton as a watershed and fisheries technician. During my year of service, I've spent a lot of my time leading snorkel events for different youth groups around West Virginia. When we're snorkeling, we're looking for various fish species while guiding locals and visitors alike through the public resource of the Monongahela National Forest. I've also been aiding my team by monitoring the health of our streams and rivers through water chemistry samples, temperature loggers, habitat and population surveys, and various other activities. I love the sense of purpose my position gives me as I focus on public outreach and exposing others to the wonders of our forest, and I'm grateful that AFNHA has given me the opportunity to live and serve in such a wonderful place!

"I'm Maddy Fleming and I am the AmeriCorps serving with the Randolph County Museum and 4-H Camp Pioneer through the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area. This is my second year in this position and I have been delighted to work on a variety of projects at these sites. My service throughout the year consists of archives and collections management, exhibit research and design, writing outreach, and collecting oral histories. In the summertime, I assist as a volunteer and counselor during Randolph County 4-H Camps and serve as the Randolph County Museum's primary docent. I have also assisted the Randolph County Historical Society with their centennial project this year, including the creation of exhibit panels and brochures for the museum. For 4-H Camp Pioneer's 4-H History Round-Up Project, I've also created display panels focusing on the history of 4-H Camps in Randolph County. I've enjoyed so much of my service with AFNHA and AmeriCorps, and it's been an honor to be a part of such a passionate community, all working to preserve our region's rich history and culture!"

"This past year, I have had the pleasure of serving as a Watershed and Fisheries AmeriCorps with the Monongahela National Forest. I have had a wide array of experiences from leading river snorkeling outreach to helping with stream restoration projects. For my major project, I worked with our Range Technician, Hannah Scrafford, to monitor soil disturbances on the Forest grazing allotments. This project was a highlight of my service, not only because I found the work meaningful, but it was wonderful to learn about other programs within the Forest Service. It is always special when we can work together. It is hard to sum up all the work I have had the privilege of helping with this past year, but I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to do meaningful work in such a beautifully wild place"
- Carlyle Grundon

“My name is Geneva Brown and I am an AmeriCorps member with AFNHA serving with The Nature Conservancy.  As my first term is coming to an end I figured I would share how my year has looked.  This year has given me the opportunity to try so many new things.  Much of my position involved the yearly monitoring of the preserves and easements TNC has across West Virginia. I have also participated in trail building.  Most notably I helped build the new ¾ mile loop trail at TNC’s Bear Rocks Preserve.  My major project for this year was monitoring a red spruce and balsam fir tree planting in Canaan Valley from three years ago.  This project gave me an amazing look into how saplings handle drought conditions. I am looking forward to the new adventures of next term!”

“For the past 2 years I have served as an education and outreach aide for the WV Division of Forestry. I've been traveling around the state leading environmental education programs at different schools, summer camps, educational conferences and events. Over the course of my service, I was able to educate over 6,000 students statewide. I am so thankful for all the opportunities and experiences l've had as an AFNHA AmeriCorps.”
-Kacey Shiflett

“Ever since childhood, many of us are told ‘do something you love and you will never work a day in your life’ however, this past year, I have encountered an even deeper truth- surround yourself with passionate people, and you will never find something not to love. Every day, I have had the distinct honor of working alongside countless community members and AmeriCorps committed to making a difference across the Mon Forest Towns Partnership, Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area, and the world. From spiny mussels to square dances, discovering the endless wellspring of passion for all of life’s wonders, big and small, constantly inspires and empowers me to climb higher, reach farther, and love more deeply.”
-Sam Kniery

West Virginia Instrument Anthology at The Augusta Heritage Center

West Virginia Instrument Anthology at The Augusta Heritage Center

Madeline Ricks is an AmeriCorps member with AFNHA, serving as the Collections Preservation Coordinator for The Augusta Heritage center in Elkins, WV. She has begun writing a new blog series for the Augusta website. Beginning with the African origins of the banjo, Madeline will take readers on a journey through the histories and cultural impacts of the instruments played in West Virginia’s musical traditions.

The Stories They Tell: Upshur County Images, Objects, Voices, and Places

The Stories They Tell: Upshur County Images, Objects, Voices, and Places

There are many interesting and unique materials housed in the Upshur County Historical Society Document Repository that have never been displayed in an exhibit. Some materials have been overlooked because, while interesting, they relate to a topic that is too narrow to warrant an entire exhibit. This year’s exhibit gives space for these materials to shine.

Preserving Black History for the Next Generation at Pleasant Green

On June 19, Pleasant Green Church in Hillsboro underwent two restoration projects in collaboration with the Forest Service, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, AFNHA AmeriCorps, and Cultural Heritage in the Forest. The Forest Service creates partnerships like these within local communities to help support efforts of preservation. This partnership is overwhelmingly meaningful to us here at the Forest and AFNHA - connecting with Black students and sharing with them our state’s history is invaluable to the future of diverse involvement, public awareness, and funding for these sites. There is no West Virginia History without Black History, and it was our honor to share with them this part of their cultural past.

My Journey Through 4-H

My Journey Through 4-H

This term in 2023-2024, my involvement with the 4-H History Round-Up project and my participation at 4-H Camp evolved together as the theme of this year’s camp was “A Journey Through 4-H”. The theme took campers through the past and into what may be the future of 4-H in 2115. That faraway date marked the 200-year anniversary of the world’s first 4-H Camp in 1915, “Camp Good Luck”, which took place in Randolph County! This theme gave me the role of putting all the Randolph County 4-H history I’ve learned in my service to direct use.

Citizen Science Education Program on Non-Native and Invasive Species

Citizen Science Education Program on Non-Native and Invasive Species

Every March the WV Division of Forestry organizes 4 citizen science lessons for 5th graders at Petersburg Elementary School. These lessons are about Non-Native and Invasive Species (NNIS). We teach these students what non-native and invasive species are, how they spread, how to identify specific species, and how to use GPS data to locate, track, and record information on them.

Sharing Upshur County History with "An Occasional Newsletter"

Sharing Upshur County History with "An Occasional Newsletter"

The Upshur County Historical Society: An Occasional Newsletter was just published mid-April. The annual journal is dedicated to providing educational articles on historical topics related to Upshur County. As the AFNHA member serving with the UCHS this year, I had the opportunity to contribute an article on Bush’s Fort, the primary frontier fort in the region that would become Upshur County. Readers have requested an article on this topic for years, and so I was glad to help see that request fulfilled.

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WV Governor’s Cup Race History: The Legendary Skiing of Canaan Valley

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WV Governor’s Cup Race History: The Legendary Skiing of Canaan Valley

Over the years, the WV Governor’s Cup Ski Race has played an important role in the ski history of Tucker County, WV. Considered the longest running race throughout the southeast, Alpine Festival, Inc. will be presenting its 64th race in 2024. Racers will have a chance to win some amazing prizes and only a select few will get their names placed on the famous WV Governor’s Cup Trophy.

A Year in Canaan Valley

A Year in Canaan Valley

My year at Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge has been incredibly rewarding and something I will always remember fondly. I am very grateful for my time as an AmeriCorps member and I am lucky to have served at two different National Wildlife Refuges. I felt that I was able to learn more and really advance my skill set through my year-long position with AFNHA. I highly recommend AmeriCorps and AFNHA to anyone that is looking to get their foot in the door in the field of conservation and gain valuable experience.

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School Visits at Seneca Rocks

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School Visits at Seneca Rocks

This year for the first time the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center and the USDA Forest Service hosted 4th graders from Pendleton County for a day full outdoor recreation, cultural heritage, and fun! 56 students from the surrounding area visited stations set up on the Discovery Center grounds focusing on cultural heritage of the area and outdoor recreation activities in the hope to encourage more exploration of the public lands around them.

Preserving Traditions at the Augusta Heritage Center

Preserving Traditions at the Augusta Heritage Center

Elkins, West Virginia has the unique distinction of being home to many musicians who play traditional Appalachian “old time” music. Elkins is also home of the Augusta Heritage Center, a non-profit organization that began conducting music, crafts and dance workshops as well as concerts, dances and audio and video documentation beginning in 1973 and celebrating its fiftieth year in 2023. AmeriCorps Member Josh Wanstreet is helping Augusta preserve traditions through archives, music lessons, and more.

Randolph County Museum’s New Exhibit

Randolph County Museum’s New Exhibit

“This year as an AmeriCorps member has been one full of learning. I have experienced much of what I expected and an equal amount of things I did not expect, but am endlessly grateful for. One experience I anticipated with enthusiasm was the opportunity to work hands-on with an exhibit at the Randolph County Museum. As with any new job, however, crafting a museum exhibit, especially for the first time, can be an intimidating task.”

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An Archeological Survey

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An Archeological Survey

Few fields of study have the romantic appeal of archeology. I too began to dream of solving ancient mysteries and finding the sorts of artifacts that end up in world famous museums. With time these dreams were sidelined, but they never truly left. So, when I was offered a chance to help out in an archeological survey, in my role as an AmeriCorps member serving with the heritage program of the Monongahela National Forest, you could call it something of a dream come true.

ArtSpring Festival Lantern Parade

ArtSpring Festival Lantern Parade

The annual ArtSpring Festival celebration in Tucker County was a huge success this year with live music, a pop-up ArtSpring Shop in Davis, the Thomas arts walk, a pub crawl, food and so much more!  This year, the Lantern Parade returned for the first time since Covid.  As per tradition, the lanterns were created during a free workshop to the public and displayed proudly within the community during a parade throughout Thomas.

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Uncovering Civil War Era Graffiti

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Uncovering Civil War Era Graffiti

Sammy Ryder recently had the opportunity to participate in a plaster stabilization workshop at the Beverly Heritage Center. Chris Mills, a plaster expert, came to work on the second floor of the Crawford Building, which served as McClellan’s headquarters in Beverly. She worked with him for a few days learning about how to stabilize plaster and the proper way to uncover Civil War era graffiti.

Two Years of a Little Extra Life

Two Years of a Little Extra Life

One of the most enduring and inspiring aspects of living and working in West Virginia is that there is a collective understanding to uphold both the heritage and natural ecosystems that we all know, use, and love. With fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreation being such an ingrained part of the generational history and tourism, it is hard to not feel like I have the privilege of living a little extra life every time I go to serve.

While my first year had given me a new understanding of the importance of stream habitat and protecting aquatic species like the enigmatic endangered Candy Darter and jaw dropping Eastern Hellbender, my second has year allowed me to find my niche in conservation: true science that goes into surveying and monitoring terrestrial wildlife and resurrecting habitat that was lost during the timber and mining booms of the 20th century.

Red Spruce Restoration and American Chestnut Planting Projects

Red Spruce Restoration and American Chestnut Planting Projects

The WV Division of Forestry has managed the Red Spruce Restoration project at Kumbrabow State Forest for the past three years. Local 4-H students have been helping them plant roughly 1,000 red spruce saplings each May. This project is part of the Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative (CASRI). Red spruce now covers about 178,000 acres at high elevations in the Allegheny Mountains and places on North Fork Mountain.

Read how Kacey is helping to restore Red Spruce and American Chestnut forests!

Weaving in Arthurdale

Weaving in Arthurdale

When Arthurdale was established in 1934, one of the most pressing concerns for newly arrived homesteaders (and the government that supported the project) was jobs. Weaving was a cottage industry that became one of the most important in the town.

For a number of years, there has been a small group of Arthurdale Weavers who get together to make projects on some of the historic looms that Arthurdale Heritage owns. When I began my AmeriCorps service in fall 2021, I was invited to take an introductory weaving class, and I was immediately hooked.

 

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