Fired West Virginia Archivist Receives Award

Fred Armstrong was the West Virginia State Archivist until he was fired last month under questionable circumstances. His firing reportedly was was politically motivated simply because he and his boss did not get along. Most recently, Armstrong opposed his boss' plan to convert the archives library into a café/catering service/mini-Tamarack gift shop.

You can read my early article and all the comments by newsletter readers at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2007/11/west-virginia-s.html.

Armstrong had an exemplary record in his 30 years of service to the state and was often cited as a leader in his field. Now, only a month after his clumsy firing, Armstrong has been honored again. He has been given Virgil A. Lewis Award.

Virgil A. Lewis was the first State Historian of West Virginia.  In 1992 the Virgil A. Lewis Award was established by the West Virginia Historical Society to be given each year to the party or parties making the greatest contribution to West Virginia history.

Comments

[Sheila C. Kline]

Congratulations to Mr. Fred Armstrong for winning this pretigious award! Governor Manchin....please take another look at what has happened to this wonderful, dedicated servant of the people!! We have one Tamarack..isn't that enough?
I support the full reinstatement of Mr. Armstrong with all benefits restored and reimbursement for pay lost.
Sheila Kline, genealogist
Bluefield, WV

[Debra Jeffers]

What a great collection and the staff was so helpful.