The Summers County Historical Society presents an update as they prepare to hold a meeting on May 4 at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Memorial Building Auditorium. Society President Harvey requests that all in attendance follow CDC guidelines by wearing a mask and social distancing.
Officer elections for the Summers County Historical Society were held virtually earlier this year. The results of the election are as follows: president — Douglas Wayne Harvey, vice president — Ron Lilly, secretary — Anna Cox, treasurer — Donna Brewster and historian — Andrea Pack. These officers will serve for the 2021 season.
The Summers County Historical Society appointed committee wants to recognize the county’s anniversary with a “time vault.” To help cover the cost of this, the society will sell photos of local businesses to be placed inside of the vault. They are also asking for ideas for other items to be placed inside the vault. The announcement states, “…all things right now will be considered but remember it is not a large vault.” The sealing will take place on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, which will also be close to the 150th anniversary of Summers County’s establishment.
According to the announcement, the “Pearl Bragg” marker was dedicated on April 3 at 1 p.m. The marker is in Sandstone on Route 20 at the turn-off to Richmond’s store. A total of six society members were present at the ceremony.
Bragg who was born in 1909 in Summers County became a pilot in 1933 and was one of the only female flight instructors in the pre-WWII Civilian Flight Training Program. She was also a part of the Women Airforce Pilots during the war and in 1946, she became the first woman to solo a single-engine plane up the Alaska Highway.
Another announcement is that the Summers County Historical Society has chosen the recipient of their 2021 scholarship. The award goes to Hinton resident, Abigail Ward, who will be attending Concord University in the Fall.
The Society is currently selling CDs of The History of Summers County 1984 for $10 per CD plus any shipping costs. To obtain a copy, contact Bill Brewster at donna@intertech.tv or 304-466-6179.
After Steve Pack and Ron Lilly discovered plaques in their respective churches containing the names of WWII servicemen and women who attended those churches, a book is being put together. Gayle Vest is asking all local churches to check in their closets, attics and storage to see if there are more plaques of the same nature. She also encourages speaking with church historians. If any plaques are discovered, Vest asks that a readable photo be taken of the plaque and emailed to her at gvestmountain@gmail.com. If this is not possible, she will stop by and copy the names.
Society member Bobby Cox reports that he is close to having Hilltop Cemetery listed on the National Register of Historic Places. He intends to have an answer by the May 4 meeting.
Finally, upcoming Summers County events include Second Saturdays in Hinton’s May 8 events. On June 4 and 5, the Children’s Home Society and Farm Club will hold their annual Barn Sale at Pleasant View Farms. The sale will take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day.
