Newcome Named History Hero

A Pierpont Community & Technical College of Fairmont State University faculty member has been named as a West Virginia History Hero for her work as curator of the Masquers Historical Costume Collection and the West Virginia Cotton Commodity Bag Collection.

Dr. Beth Anne Newcome, Dean for the School of Human Services and professor and coordinator for the Fashion program, received the West Virginia History Hero award on Feb. 22 at History Day at the Legislature

During the past nine years, groups and organizations working on behalf of the preservation and dissemination of West Virginia's history and historical resources have recognized the dedication and labor of their most significant contributor through the annual History Day "History Heroes" awards. History Heroes are individuals who go beyond the call of duty to ensure the success of local history, genealogy, preservation and museum organizations. The contributions of all History Heroes have been recognized during the first eight History Day programs, with most honorees present to receive their award. Their combined work makes a statement most deserving of this statewide public recognition. These recipients have been recognized for their grassroots efforts, years of dedicated behind-the-scenes services, for a significant contribution such as preserving a site or collection or for publishing a work of family or local history.

The Masquers Historical Costume Collection features nearly 10,000 items of clothing and artifacts dating from 1850-1950. Exhibitions include a show in the Brooks Gallery at Fairmont State, in conjunction with National Historic Preservation Week. The collection serves the West Virginia Folklife Center's Museum Studies degree and is an important resource for students, faculty and the state. The collection at Fairmont State is listed in the "2006 Clothing and Textile Collections in the U.S.: A CSA Guide," published by the Costume Society of America.

In addition to the vintage apparel, Newcome curates the 1920-1960 West Virginia Cotton Commodity Bag Collection. The feed sack collection includes cotton bagging recycled into a variety of household items and apparel.

Newcome joined the Fairmont State faculty in 1984 and has taught classes in textiles, visual merchandising, home planning and applied design. She is the recipient of a Fairmont State Faculty Achievement Award and the WVAFCS Outstanding Faculty in Higher Education Award.