West Virginia State Archives Director Fired Under Questionable Circumstances

Fred Armstrong has been fired from his position as the West Virginia State Archives Director. At least one local newspaper describes the firing as being handled "clumsily." In fact, Armstrong was fired abruptly and then was immediately escorted out of the Cultural Center by a security guard. That seems surprising when Armstrong’s 30 years of employment at the State Archives was described as "exemplary."

His crime? He reportedly opposed his boss' efforts to convert the Cultural Center archives library into a café/catering service/mini-Tamarack gift shop.

Culture and History Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith (Armstrong's former boss) refuses to comment on the firing.

Details may be found at http://wvgazette.com/section//200711033.

UPDATE: A related story may be found in the Editorials section of the same paper at http://wvgazette.com/section/Opinion/Editorials/200711065.

Comments

[Linda Kleback]

What a shame! I hope there is a huge uproar over this. The genealogical and historical community can never relax. There always seems to be some sort of political effort we need to fight against.

[Sharon]

Thank you, Mr Eastman for letting us know about this. To whom would a non-resident of the state address concerns?

[Ingrid]

Thank you for posting this article. West Virginia was formed during the Civil War from Virginia, when part of the state fought for the Union and part for the Confederacy. The loss to the history of the United States if this archives becomes a coffee shop, is huge.

The more I have become involved in Genealogy, the more I am struck by how ignorant of history most Americans are. When history became 'personal' through family research, it became a passion to me. I wish it were important to more people.

I hope many readers of the newsletter will write to the Charleston Gazette, letting them know the importance every state archive. You can contact them at:

http://www.wvgazette.co

[Judith Arnn-Knight]

I wonder if NARA can get involved in this? Not officially probably unless they are a regional archive in Charleston and I did not take the time to check. At least I think we can all write the reporter and thank him for the article and urge him to keep at them. This is a disaster for the archives and certainly for an Archivist with almost 30 years to be fired without cause.

Does anyone have a NARA contact to ask them to get involved, however unofficially. At least the archivists there would be able to write more authoritative letters to the WV administration and the reporter than those of us whose only archival experience is using collections.

[Don Seabolt]

I live in Wood County,West Virginia and I am also very upset over how the governor did Mr Fred Armstrong. Fred was a leader in the genealogy research for WV and he always went out of his way to make the archives a better place for all of us. Even if it meant he needed to get into research for you. Fred went into alot of the counties to pick up genealogical records all the time. He also would let another employee off to go to a genealogy fair/workshop or even a late evening to teach a class, then let them take a day off from work for this work. He also let his fellow employees to run with a idea on how to make the archives a better place for all. Even if its to head up a research project. West Virginia Lost a really great person. Couple years ago they lost a beautiful lady Pat Pleska she went to research for God and now Fred, Two great researchers that everyone in the genealogical world respected. No matter if you not living in West Virginia or not, you still can let the goverment know how you feel that you lost a researcher that saved yours and my family history.The governor is wanting a cafe/tamarac in the culture center sorry to say good bye to all of our history. They all ready shut down and boxed up the history museum we had down stairs. after all this I am a 2004 award winning historian for WV, so my question is what is this award worth now? (not much)

[Matthew Bivins Rogers]

It gets under my crawl every time I think about the wanabe State of West Virginia, it even gets my Yankee timbers shivering. But since my Family has origins in White Sulphur Springs I do my best to ignore those feelings.

Anyone who’s ever wandered into WV knows there’s only one person that can get anything done there and he has more power then the Governor. I’m talking about the senile former grand wazoo of the KKK, Senator Robert C. Byrd http://byrd.senate.gov/ . He’s gotten his name planted on every public works project that’s ever been built there. The man is quite a historian and his roots are planted deep in Virginia soil. If the State Archives are a repository for any of his family’s papers I’m sure he already has something to say about this issue.

It doesn’t look like the Governor is going to do anything about this issue. So if you want to start a campaign to turn things around, I’d suggest you include Senator Byrd’s office in your list of contacts.

http://byrd.senate.gov/byrd_email.html

Senator Robert C. Byrd
300 Virginia Street East
Suite 2630
Charleston, WV 25301
304-342-5855

Senator Robert C. Byrd
217 West King Street
Room 238
Martinsburg, WV 25401
304-264-4626

Senator Robert C. Byrd
311 Hart Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3954

[M J Clark]

According to the article in the Charleston Gazette, at http://www.wvgazette.co there is a U. S. Representative who is involved with the protest.

>>>>>> Quote:
On Friday, an entourage from the Mining Your History Foundation, led by Virginia Gillespie, stopped by to deliver copies of about 200 pages of petitions signed by people from around the state who oppose moving the archives library.

Among the signees: U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.
>>>>>> Enquote

This might be someone else to contact.

[Arvina Copeland]

Don't they have a Labor Board to go to? Shed the light of day on the episode by having community awareness and involvement in the outcome of the event. Most people, if there is something shady going on, don't want it revealed. Doesn't the boss answer to someone? Follow the money trail of the proposed cafe/catering service.

[Denise W]

I have forwarded my comments to Senator Byrd! I am appalled at the treatment of Fred Armstrong.

[Helen A. Shaw]

I hope this horrible event can be overthrown and Mr. Armstrong re-instated. I have not had the opportunity to vist the WV state archives, but have benefited greatly from research done there by distant cousins.

The nearest NARA regional archives would be in Philadelphia, but NARA only deals with federal records, not state, so they would not get invloved in this mess. The best bet would be for residents and non-resident property owners to contact the state representives and senators and it probably would not hurt to contact the congressional reps & senators. Also area genealogical and historical societies and the professional organization for archivists (don't know their exact name) should be encouraged to get involved.

Best wishes to Mr. Armstrong. From what I have heard about him, WV was lucky to have such a dedicated employee & leader.

[sue maxwell]

My husband'd great uncle, Hu Maxwell, who wrote county histories of W Va will roll over in his grave, as will his whole family- as they were pioneers and leaders in W Va. What an atrocity! Sue Maxwell Maxwell

[Charlene Sampson-Ramel]

Fred Armstrong, in his dedication to preserving the History of West Virginia, the ONLY state to be created out of the Civil War, tried to do the right thing and that is why he was fired. With 22 years of exemplary public service at the Archives, Mr. Armstrong most assuredly deserves better than he got!

Dawn Miller, "The Charleston Gazette’s" editorial page editor, wrote of a man who went over and above the call of duty: (in part)

"As a professional archivist in charge of a vast and complex collection that requires dedicated library space...he told his bosses about a year ago that he was concerned the proposed changes might be destructive for the state’s archive. He would have been remiss if he didn’t share his concerns."

Mr. Armstrong was not one to just sit in his office and delegate. He was completely hands-on and not afraid of getting dirty. He was a Leader who took the responsibilities of preserving our history seriously.

In 2005, Mr. Armstrong, with Salem-Teikyo University, rescued from storage the papers of Sen. Jennings Randolph. Apparently the documents were being stored in a room that "leaked rain and allowed snow to blow onto the documents". It took a year and a half to move, decontaminate, and move again to Charleston, this valuable collection of "speeches, with original copies of remarks, letters, memos & video" for sorting and archiving.

Ms. Miller also wrote in her editorial that ceiling tiles were falling "onto the patron's heads" in the archive reading room. Because repair was slow in coming from the state’s General Services division, Mr. Armstrong physically took it upon himself to install a new ceiling and paint the room. Cost to the state saved by Mr. Armstrong? More than $40,000.00. NOT a mere drop in the bucket to the tax payers of West Virginia!

And they ordered this man walked out of the building by a security guard, who kept apologizing for having to do it!!

(Read the rest of Dawn Miller's excellent editorial here until about Nov. 18:

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Top+Stories/200711034?pt=10

Hear the man himself! Listen to a 9 minute interview of Fred Armstrong by MetroNews and decide for yourself whether politics in Charleston stinks to high Heaven, or not.

http://www.wvmetronews.com/mediaplayer.cfm?storyid=21926&source=story

Help us make some noise!!

Keep an eye on the Charleston Gazette because this story isn't over, by any means. Send a letter or email to the Editor and Sen. Byrd. And remember that Charleston isn't the only city involved in this issue. The WHOLE state will be affected by this!

West Virginia Online Newspapers
http://www.wvpress.org/newsonline.asp

And, please...last but not least, contact Governor Joe Manchin III and let him hear how you feel about this travesty.
http://www.wvgov.org/sec.aspx?id=36

[Melissa]

I e-mailed Senator Byrd & hope this injustice & challenge to record access receives the attention it deserves. Senator Byrd introduced legislation in 2004 that all schools & universities that receive federal funds must teach about the U.S. Constitution on Constitution Day, September 17th, & yet access to the historical records of his own state is in peril.

It was only a few years ago that Florida tried to "annex" its own state library to a university system. Floridians had to raise a hue & cry to get that halted. It is a shame politicians do not see the value of libraries & historical records to their constituents. It is each state's history that makes it distinct from the other 49 states & promotes tourism. People can buy state refrigerator magnets & T-shirts anywhere.

[Pam Drake]

I live in Indiana now but my father,grandmother & beyond were born in WV. or western VA. before the Civil War. My WV."roots" are strong! I have written the Govenor before when I first heard about this silly idea to have a cafe near historical documents. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know where you fix food you can have a fire. Where would the WV. historical documents be then but in harms way. Another thing,you can't merge historical documents with a lending library. You are just asking to lose them!People will take what they want & NOT bring them back.So goes the history of WV. out the door. Do the people of WV. really want that to happen to their historical documents? I know I don't!!

I can't believe the way they treated Mr.Armstrong. It's NOT very nice! My cousin,who lives in WV.,said Mr.Armstrong was ALWAYS very helpful to her when she went to visit the Archives researching the family genealogy. What a waste! Has a picket line been set up yet? His firing deserves one for sure! Mr. Armstrong thank you for your service to the people of WV. & its history. You are appreciated; but apparently NOT by the Powers that Be in WV. like the Governor etc.

[Bette Butcher Topp]

I guess the best thing to do to really get some positive is to go to the top and that might be the state senator, Robert Byrd. If he can put his name to all the roads, etc. etc., then surely he has time to help maintain the history of the wild and wonderful state of West Virginia. I still think it is the most beautiful state in the union and I have been in all but two.
I hope all researchers will flood the gates of Charleston and keep fighting for the right thing to do.
Bette Butcher Topp

[Priscilla Paul]

I have emailed Robert Byrd and hope everyone reading about this bullyish act will contact Senator Byrd and overwhelm him with an outcry for the reinstatement of Mr. Armstrong. The State of West Virginia has tossed the gold it possessed into the trash. How ignorant is that?

Priscilla

[Dick Eastman]

UPDATE: An interesting follow-up article describes Governor Manchin's comments: "Manchin was evasive about the firing of Armstrong after 30 years of apparently exemplary service to the state."

The full article is available at http://sundaygazettemail.com/section/News/2007110926

[Suzia]

A follow-up by staff writer Phil Kabler (e-mail at philk@wvgazette.com) was posted today, http://sundaygazettemail.com/section//2007111010 , among other things, recounting public response to the Armstrong firing and the cafe proposal. The good news is that Fred Armstrong's state pension doesn't appear to be in jeopardy.
(Incidentally, Dick, Kabler gives much of the credit for his overflowing inbox to www.eogn.com, which he unfortunately refers to it as "Eastern Online Genealogy Newsletter.")

[Lee Estep]

As a patron of the WV Archives for over 20 years I am absolutely appalled! Does the Governor realize that the "gift shop" that was there several years ago FAILED, misrably - at that. Does he remember that the cafteria used by state employees, which was "gutted" earlier this year is to re-open in the basement of the capitol in January (just in time for Legislature to convene). A "cafe" is not needed. If the archives goes - there go the tourists - why do you think they come to the Cultural Building? To look up their family history - not eat! Also, why on earth would you put a former Opera Singer in charge of the Division of Culture and History? My ancestors have been here (Kanawha County) since before 1800 - the Youngs, Van Bibbers, etc. My grandfather was born in Kanawha County, Virginia - 13 days before West Virginia became a State and he died in the same place! Kanwha County, West Virginia! I am a Hillbilly and I'm darned proud of it! Apparently the Governor is trying to hide our history.

[Therese Thomas Parker]

Well, the Great State of West Virginia has done it again - thrown out the baby with the bath water! Legs of my family were the 1st white settlers of Wyoming County, joining the food-hunting indians! So, my family is well-rooted, even though I now reside in Virginia - after being born and raised in Mullens. WV politics have been corrupt throughout time: the dead voting in elections long after the gravesite services, public officials serving jail time, the "good ol'boy" system alive and well, money-skimming, pork-barrel political projects, etc... I am just SOOOO sorry to see history repeating itself with the firing of this non-corrupt public servant. But, this is no different that it has been throughout the history of West Virginia - follow the path to what they think will be more money, regardless of the process and who may get the ax in doing so. Don't expect much help from Governor Manchin. If my memory serves me correctly, he himself is from a long line of "shady" characters. Robert Byrd MAY be able to correct this atrocity, if he sees the benefit in it for HIM. It is no joke that his name appears on the vast majority of the state projects that he secured funding for with federal money. Maybe they need to rename the Cultural Building - The Sen. Robert Byrd Academy for West Virginia Culture and Research. Then, government money would pour into the state (again), they could repair the building, build a separate Tamarack somewhere on the property, and the site would be secured for future generations. And Mr. Armstrong could be hired back to "oversee" the project until his retirement - with an increase of salery. I hope Sen Byrd gets approached by someone with this idea. I'm sure he'd love it - having his name on something as important is this! And I'm equally sure that he could secure the needed funding - he's a past master at that, too!

[Jane Ailes]

There is an important point that is not being duscussed in the conversation about Armstrong's firing and bringing a cafe and gift shop to the WV Archive building. Armstrong points out in a radio interview that the Archive library and manuscript collection will be removed from the control of the WV Archives. The collection will be given to a lending library, not another archive where people are trained to curate such a collection. Armstrong's concern isn't with whether a cafe and gift shop is a good financial investment for the state, his concern is with what happens to this valuable collection once it is no longer a part of the WV Archives.

When choosing a place to donate a valuable colleciton, always check to see that the institution has a permanent mandate and endowment to house and care for the collection. Otherwise, as in the case of the WV Archives and many universities, your valuable donation is placed at risk of an administrative whim.

This issue of placing West Virginia's valuable historical collection in jeopardy is the issue we should be writing the governor and Senator Byrd about. The WV Archives should have a permanent mandate and a permanent endowment to safeguard the state's historical records.

[Virginia Gillespie, Secretary of the Mining Your History Foundation]

The Mining Your History Foundation is a support group for the West Virginia Archives Library. We have worked closely with Fred Armstrong for over ten years. He is an ex-officio member of the MYHF Board of Directors.
In September 2006, Phil Kabler, Charleston Gazette columnist, broke the news regarding the moving of the Archives Library in with the Library Commission's Lending Library. Phil called it "double bunking". Members of the MYHF Board could not believe it.
Through the Freedom of Information Act, we obtained copies of the Space Reapportionment Study which gave the details of the planned move. We started the campaign to "Save the West Virginia Archives Library", on West Virginia History Day, February 22, 2007, in the Capitol Rotunda. We asked all 120 genealogical and historical societies to work with us. We circulated petitions to Save the W.Va. Archives Library and have over 2300 names and addresses.
We have prepared a Press Release which details the history of the planned move dating back to 2004. If someone in the news media, would like to take the time to develop a detailed investigative report on the tragic firing of Fred Armstrong, we would be happy to provide you with a copy of the Press Release which contains Freedom of Information material.
Fred Armstrong was doing what the W.Va. Code, Section 29-1-6 required, locate, identify, preserve, protect, and restore West Virginia historical records. For doing this he was fired.

.

[Darrell Helton]

Once again ingnorance has showed its ugly head in the state of WV. Although I have only had minimal contact with Mr. Armstrong over the years I have been very much impressed with his knowledge and helpfulness. I have held at least two genealogical workshops in the past on my job and Mr. Armstong has always been gracious enough to send someone to speak and on one occasion he told me if he couldnt get someone he would come himself.
What does it take for the politicans to wise up. Don't they realize these decisions are making us the laughing stock of the US. Here you have a man who has devoted 30 yrs of his life to the importance of gathering and saving important archival material pertaining to the history of the state and what does our brilliant politcians do they fire him so folks and can eat and draw rats and mice to eat these precious materials. Oh and by the way doesnt it strike you as funny that this all happened while our "great " governor was in China? If he decides to run again he can for get about my vote.

[Audrey Gill]

I think it is Horrible to hear Mr. Armstrong has been fired from his job, he has held for over 20 years. He helped me so much when I visited the Archives back in Aug. You can tell he cares about our history..
I agree with the person above. I didnt go there to eat, I went there to learn about my family. If they put the archives in a lending library, it will disappear..
I for one will not re-elect Manchin back into office. Just because he is disgraced with his family history, doesnt mean the rest of us are.
What does he think we need another Tramarack. Tolls for turnpike was suppose to go for the roads, what does it go for, BONDS ON TRAMARACK.

I say Keep our ARCHIVES with Mr. Armstrong in charge, get rid of the Governor.

[Jack Nida]

As the author of the book IMAGES OF ROANE COUNTY, WV, recently published by Arcadia Publishing Co., the WV Archives Library has been a huge resource for all who are interested in the history of this state and its people. If it is preserved, it will be necessary for all of us to make our collective voices heard loud and clear to the governor's office and to our congressional representatives. If they fail to respond to the wishes of the people, I'm certain that all of us will remember this issue during the next election of these officials.

[WVPatriot]

November 14, 2007

Web Tools: [print] [email]
Cheryl Wintz Wtihrow, Margaret Brennan, Kenneth R. Bailey and William McNeel
# Armstrong's dedication unusually strong

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Like many, many other West Virginians, the members of the West Virginia Historical Society were shocked and saddened by the recent dismissal of Fred Armstrong as the director of the state Archives and History.

This organization, as well as all West Virginians, has benefited from Fred’s work and dedication to preserving the written history of West Virginia. Fred has been the secretary of the West Virginia Historical Society for at least 20 years. During that time, he helped keep the organization alive by personally editing and distributing the society’s magazine, by organizing and coordinating meetings, by suggesting and encouraging society projects and by being the one stable individual in a group of constantly changing volunteers.

Read more at the link provided

[WVPatriot]

[comment]Dick, please delete this comment and the post above. Thanks[comment]

November 14, 2007

Cheryl Wintz Wtihrow, Margaret Brennan, Kenneth R. Bailey and William McNeel

Armstrong's dedication unusually strong
http://www.wvgazette.com/section//2007111318

Like many, many other West Virginians, the members of the West Virginia Historical Society were shocked and saddened by the recent dismissal of Fred Armstrong as the director of the state Archives and History.

This organization, as well as all West Virginians, has benefited from Fred’s work and dedication to preserving the written history of West Virginia. Fred has been the secretary of the West Virginia Historical Society for at least 20 years. During that time, he helped keep the organization alive by personally editing and distributing the society’s magazine, by organizing and coordinating meetings, by suggesting and encouraging society projects and by being the one stable individual in a group of constantly changing volunteers.

[WVPatriot]

November 16, 2007
Stop, thief! All in a librarian’s work

http://www.wvgazette.com/section//2007111510

By Dawn Miller
Staff writer

ONE day about 20 years ago, librarians at the state Archive had their eye on a suspicious-looking visitor who was known to have a criminal record. After he left, one of the staff members flew urgently back to the boss’s office.

“He just took off with the book!”

Archive Director Fred Armstrong charged down the hallway, out the doors and down the front steps, taking each group of steps in a single, long-legged leap.

The thief had turned left toward a parking lot, in the vicinity of the current site of the Veterans Memorial.

Fred ran to the man and said something to the effect of “I need you to come back inside. That book belongs to the collection.”

The man did not fight, but came back. The Archive filed charges against him. As part of a plea agreement, the man promised never to return to the Archive. He did come back a couple times, and the staff chased him out.

The book, a history of Nicholas County, was returned to the shelf. It would have cost the Archive more than $200 to replace, although the money is not the point.

Aside from the quirky comic-book potential of this story — Fred Armstrong, Library Crimefighter! — it also illustrates one of the longstanding weaknesses of the state Archive. Security is a big deal when trying to maintain a collection of rare or unique historical items, while also giving access to the public.

Other libraries of the Archive’s size and stature have more strict procedures. It is common to be asked to lock up your bags and possessions before entering research and reading rooms, for example. Armstrong’s attempts to convince his bosses to make the Archive more secure have always failed.

This is one of the concerns voiced by researchers and historians over plans to combine the Archive with the Library Commission’s reading room and lending library on the other side of the Cultural Center. The Mining Your History Foundation is planning a demonstration at 5:30 p.m. today outside the Cultural Center to protest such changes they believe will be damaging to the Archive.

As news of Armstrong’s sudden dismissal this month has spread, more stories of his service have drifted in.

One night several years ago, Armstrong took a stroll to check on the Veterans Memorial, as was his habit.

As he approached, he saw a man wading in the pool around the structure. His pants were rolled up and he was scooping out change that had been tossed in by visitors and mourners.

Armstrong ran to the spot, jumped up on a low wall and yelled, “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

The startled plunderer looked up and stammered an inarticulate reply. Only then did Armstrong look to his left and see an accomplice.

He thought to himself, “Oh, good. There are two of them.”

He coerced the guy into dropping the money, and they took off. “I let them go,” he said. “I wasn’t about to take on two guys.”

After it was all over, he had a pang of doubt. “What if they were a couple of down-and-out Vietnam vets?” he wondered.

Incidentally, when he oversaw it, the money from the memorial was removed periodically and deposited in a fund for the memorial’s upkeep.

Armstrong has worked since he was 12 years old, first on farms, then as a painter, which helped to put him through college. He taught social studies and became a librarian and archivist. He has never been without a job. He’s not quite sure what to do with himself these days.

On Thursday, Armstrong had a longstanding appointment to give a tour of the Capitol for Leadership West Virginia. He offered to bow out, but the tour went on as scheduled.

In the past, when he needed a vacation, he sometimes traveled to Maryland to paint for some friends. He found that while painting, he could organize his thoughts and mentally map out projects back at the office. Feeling a need to get out of town, he tried that old technique last week. But painting brought him little peace this time.

Others have shared more demure examples of Armstrong’s service. One told me that Armstrong went with her to go through the family home of her late husband and to help her identify which of his family’s documents and artifacts might be of value to the state. A letter writer described turning over treasured documents to the Archive, only to be surprised by receiving a beautiful set of copies for the donor’s own family to enjoy. Still another reader recalled participating in one of the overnight lock-ins organized by the Mining Your History Foundation. The event gives researchers a chance to work all night, a special benefit to out-of-town visitors. Fred would escort smokers outside for smoke breaks, and as people were ready to leave he escorted them to their cars, so no one was left alone outside during the small hours.

Instead of fitting Armstrong for a cape for his feats of derring-do, or even for his quieter day-to-day tasks, the Manchin administration fired him just short of his 30th anniversary. Judging from the widespread and sustained reaction, people value a good public servant. Like Armstrong, they deserve an explanation.

Miller, the Gazette’s editorial page editor, can be reached at 348-5117 or at dawn@wvgazette.com.

[Betsy Miller]

From the American Library Association:
Librarians Object to Abrupt Firing of West Virginia Archivist

http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2007/november2007/wvaarchivist.cfm

[Jim Allen]

In addition to the valid reasons listed above to preserve the holdings of the West Virginia Archives, and maintain the Archives library, there are two additional points that might be made by those who intend to contact the Governor (by e-mail or otherwise): (1) Actions like this give the state a 'black eye', and (2) the manner in which the firing was conducted suggests that his Culture & History Commisioner is somewhat of a jerk who should probably be removed from his position - even if he is a shopping buddy of the governor's wife!

[WVPatriot]

Justice for Fred Armstrong
http://citizenspeak.org/node/1169

[Y. Shepard]

As a resident of West Virginia, I am deeply concerned about the future safety and security of the archive collection. I plan to contact officals who may have some influence in where the collection resides and how securely the collection is managed.

Further more, I was shocked at Mr. Armstrong sudden and unexplained termination. I certainly wish him and his attorney, Jim Lees, good luck as they file appropriate grievances or law suits.

I appreciate those who politely shared their thoughts on the issue at hand rather than using the opportunity to express ignorant prejudices about West Virginia and its citizens.

[R L Brown]

And the saga continues...

Here's the latest news report:
http://sundaygazettemail.com/section/News/2008011421?pt=0

And here's a more candid description of the charade from an eye-witness:
http://amodernguy.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/archives-food-the-commish/

Let's hope that there's enough of a public outcry to put a stop to this nonsense. The archives library needs to be left alone!!

[Autumn]

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. As a student of archival science, we are required to discuss "archives in the news" with each other. You may be sure that I will be listing your blog next week!

[Lindy]

There are 2 bills aimed at protecting the Archives moving through the legislature right now. They are SB328 and HB4126. You can read the full text of both bills-they are "same as" bills at www.legis.state.wv.us Go to "bill tracking" and enter the numbers. At this time, Del. Jim Morgan (phone #304 340-3192) from Cabell Co., Chair of House Government Organization and Sen. Edwin Bowman(phone # 304 357-7918) of Hancock Co., Chair of GO in the Senate, need to hear from you to get these bills on their agendas. Please help save the Archives! E-mails are not very effective-they get so many, they don't read them. Thanks everybody!

[Lindy]

After passing out of House Government Organization with a recommendation of passage by the full House, HB4126 was pulled from the calendar when House Speaker Rick Thompson received a letter from Education and the Arts Secretary Kay Goodwin, stating the she would not merge the archives reading room with the Library Commission's lending library. This happened 27 Feb. 2008. The current plan is to add an atrium to the north side of the building to house the cafe. The gift shop will be in what is now an exhibit space across from the reading room. This is where the failed gift shop was a few years ago.

[Dennis L. Bybee]

I'm assuming that Robert C. Byrd is from the Byrd family of Virginia who established Westover Plantation, imported Thoroughbred horses from England, and held the 1st race of Thoroughbred horses in American at their plantation in 1752.

Could you refer me to a genealogical site so I could confirm this ancestry?

[Dennis L. Bybee]

I'm assuming that Robert C. Byrd is from the Byrd family of Virginia who established Westover Plantation, imported Thoroughbred horses from England, and held the 1st race of Thoroughbred horses in American at their plantation in 1752.

Could you refer me to a genealogical site so I could confirm this ancestry?