Arthurdale -
West Virginia is rich in history, and many local groups work to maintain that history.
Two local structures have been named "endangered buildings" by the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia.
Each year, the preservation alliance issues a list of endangered buildings, in hopes of bringing attention to structures that helped West Virginia develop into what it is today.
"What our mission is to save historic endangered properties that are on the national register or eligible for register listing," explained Lynn Stasick, the state representative for the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia.
On the 2012 list, two properties in Preston County: The B&O water tower just outside of Kingwood, and the historic Arthurdale School buildings.
"This actually is a B&O formula water tower and there were hundreds of them around," Stasick added. "Now, there are not very many left. But if this can't stay where it is, they plan to move it to another train depot site, and it would be just fine. There was one that looked identical to it there."
He also added that if the tower has to be moved, it would be relocated to either Rowlesburg or Tunnelton, where similar water towers once stood.
The property it currently sits on is not looking to be developed.
Friends of the Cheat is turning it into a rail-to-trail and hoping to add a park for local residents.
The concern about the tower comes from neighboring property owners.
There is worry that the tower is unstable, but the Preservation Alliance has had an engineer clear the building, and Stasick said the tower is more stable than it appears to be.
Stasick also added that the properties on the list vary greatly. Some can be estates with more than 12 acres of land, others are like the water tower and simply serve as a historic marker.
The Arthurdale Heritage group hopes the school buildings could be restored and brought back to life.
"Well, we're thinking of it as an economic development for Preston County, because we really can't afford to just fix the buildings up and add them to our museum. We don't have the staff or money to do so," said Jeanne Goodman, executive director of Arthurdale Heritage, Inc.
The school was built under the New Deal Program. Arthurdale is the first of 99 communities developed after the great depression. For three years, the school operated with a progressive mindset. Students were taught crafts that interested them, rather than structured curriculum. The gymnasium is still in use today by Valley Elementary. Goodman is hoping that businesses will want to occupy the old buildings, to help preserve the history of Arthurdale.
"One of the ideas would be to run a boutique/hotel, which has been done in lots of old schools anymore. Keep the history part of it, and furnish it historically," Goodman described.
Other ideas Goodman has thrown around are an elderly living complex, or studio rooms for artisans.
Because the buildings were so modern for their time, Stasick said the Arthurdale School buildings are easier to save than others on the list.
"You want to save your history," he said. "That's what Arthurdale Heritage is all about. Saving the history that was a very important part of the history here, and it's just another way to grow."
The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia will meet with legislators in Charleston on Thursday to formally announce the 11 properties on the endangered list.
Thursday also happens to be History Day.
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