1928 - Alderson High School - 1968
Contact: Margaret Hambrick / Nora Venezky 304-646-2439 304-645-3398 814 West Washington StreetLewisburg, WV 24910304-645-3398 NEWS RELEASE November 13, 2019 Adventures And Artifacts Can Be Yours! Founded in 1963, the Greenbrier Historical Society is dedicated to community enrichment through education and preservation of the history and culture of the Greenbrier Valley. The Greenbrier Historical Society is a regional organization that serves the West Virginia counties of Greenbrier, Monroe, Summers, and Pocahontas. One of the highlights of Stellar Evening, the holiday fundraiser for the Greenbrier Historical Society, to be held this year on Saturday, December 7 with the doors opening at 6:00 at the WVU Building on the State Fair Grounds, is always the silent auction. Guests rush in to discover what marvelous adventures and artifacts can be theirs for a bid which benefits the premier museum and archive in the Greenbrier Valley. This year will be no exception. Building on the theme of “textiles,” which is the major exhibit at the North House Museum this year, the offerings include a coverlet donated by John Wade and Ann Bell. It is by a known maker, Elizabeth Coffman Rodgers, who was the granddaughter of Isaac Coffman, a Mennonite minister who helped settle Greenbrier County. She grew up among spinners and weavers and spun flax, wool, and cotton. Elizabeth lived on her family’s farm until she married at 27 and contributed to the family income with her weaving business. She kept two looms threaded to make two different products continually. Though Elizabeth was working at home, she took advantage of mill produced materials to accelerate production. Elizabeth was quite a prolific coverlet maker and made a living selling her distinctive bed coverings at a time when only men were expected to be professional weavers. Many examples of her work are to be found around the Greenbrier area and the Greenbrier Historical Society has several in its collection including one similar to this one. For those with more modern tastes, Adrienne Biesemeyer has donated one of her personal textile creations. People may be surprised to know that Greenbrier County once stretched to the Ohio River! In 1800, when it still included what we now know as Monroe County, Governor James Monroe signed a deed for property in the area of the “Knobs”. That original document, beautifully framed to include a drawing of Governor Monroe, is also available, donated by John Wade and Ann Bell. For those in search of adventure and great food, guests have the choice of bidding on a dinner for eight at the Old Victorian Inn in Alderson provided by Sam and Doris Kasley and Rich and Judy Lohmeyer; a dinner for eight at the 1795 James Jarrett House provided by David and Margaret Hambrick; and an overnight stay at historic Elmhurst, where presidents and other dignitaries once gathered to picnic on the lawn, provided by Alicia Kuhn. A really unusual offering is a three hour private guided tour of local frontier fort sites for six people, with the opportunity to see some of the artifacts recovered there, provided by archaeologists Drs. Stephen and Kim McBride. Whether you have a budding archaeologist in the family or an abundance of curiosity yourself, this is a terrific opportunity. A basket of choice wines from Tom Isaac; a basket of books about history from Ann Bell; and much more will be available for bid. New this year will be a birdcage raffle with a variety of small items and gift certificates up for grabs. For $10, a key can be bought. If you key opens the lock to one of the birdcages, you get to keep whatever is inside! Tickets and sponsorships are still available. All proceeds go to support the ongoing educational and preservation activities of the Greenbrier Historical Society. By sponsoring Stellar Evening, businesses and individuals help GHS in its mission to share the diverse history of the Greenbrier Valley through educational programs, field trips, exhibits, and events. Sponsorship also helps preserve the incredible history of the area which GHS holds in its archives and collections. Those interested in a sponsorship should contact Nora Venezky to discuss levels and logo placement at director@greenbrierhistorical.org or by calling 304-645-3398. More details are available and tickets can be purchased on their web site at: http://www.greenbrierhistorical.org/stellar-evening.html PHOTO CAPTIONS: Arbuckle Aerial—Guests at the Greenbrier Historical Society’s Stellar Evening can bid to win a private tour of archaeological sites, such as this one at Fort Arbuckle, conducted by Doctors Steven and Kim McBride. ECR Coverlet—Elizabeth Coffman Rodgers was a prolific coverlet maker and enough of hers have survived that they can be identified and studied. This lovely example of her work will be available for bid at the silent auction during the Greenbrier Historical Society’s Stellar Evening. Monroe Deed—James Monroe was Governor of Virginia and Greenbrier County included what is now Monroe County when he signed this original document in 1800. It was donated by John Wade and Ann Bell to the silent auction at Stellar Evening, the annual fundraiser for the Greenbrier Historical Society. (Click on photos for larger view)