Join the Folklife Center Barn Raising Campaign

A crowd of supporters gathered for the ceremonial groundbreaking of Fairmont State University's Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center on Thursday, Oct. 11, on the site of the former Colonial Apartments/Kennedy Barn on the west side of campus.

"As we research and remember the cultural heritage of Appalachia and West Virginia, we realize that this heritage was built by many hands, many voices and many traditions," said FSU President Dan Bradley. "It is fitting that this center 'to be dedicated to the identification, preservation and perpetuation of this heritage' will be built by the generous contributions and stewardship of many. Together we have dreamed the dream. Together we will make the dream a reality."

The groundbreaking was made possible by a generous gift from Fairmont State alumni Frank and Jane Gabor of Baltimore, Md. Through the Fairmont State Foundation, Inc., their leadership gift, and other gifts to The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center Barn Raising Campaign, will be applied to the adaptive reuse of the historic properties formerly known as The Colonial Apartments (circa 1941) and The Kennedy Barn (circa 1903) on the original site of the Michael Kennedy Dairy Farm. Serving as emcee for the ceremony was Dr. Judy P. Byers, Director of the Folklife Center and Abelina Suarez Professor of English and Folklore.

Frank "Pooch" Gabor, formerly from Grant Town, is the son of Frank and Theresa Gabor. Upon discharge from the Air Force, he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Fairmont State. He serves on the Fairmont State Foundation Board of Directors and the Fairmont State Alumni Association Board. He is a past recipient of both the Fairmont State University Letterman of Distinction and Outstanding Alumni awards. Jane Gabor, the daughter of Hiriam "Baz" and Mary Clellan White, is a 1960 graduate of Fairmont State. A native of Nutter Fort, she graduated from Roosevelt Wilson High School. She is a past recipient of the Outstanding Alumna award. The Gabors currently reside in Baltimore, Md., and are the parents of two adult children. They both serve as members of the Presidents' Leadership Council. The Gabors said their contribution was a small payback for the success they have achieved over the years.

"It gives Jane and me such great pleasure to know that our gift will allow Fairmont State to preserve this building as the Folklife Center," Frank Gabor said. "Life for us began in our little towns, where we were nurtured by the people, and they molded our values and our beliefs forever. We are extremely proud of our heritage."

On behalf of the state Senate, Sen. Roman Prezioso presented Byers and Noel W. Tenney, Cultural Specialist for the Folklife Center, with $20,000 from state community partnership project funding. "Without folks like these outstanding alumni, we wouldn't be the great institution that we are," he said.

Patty Pitrolo read a statement from Gov. Joe Manchin, who could not attend the event: "I am extremely proud of the hard work and remarkable efforts of everyone involved. I commend Frank and Jane Gabor for this generous gift. It is truly a positive and exciting day for Fairmont State University and the entire state."

Several speakers, including Byers, recognized the contributions of the late Dr. Ruth Ann Musick to the genesis of the Folklife Center project. Musick was the primary female folklore scholar to preserve and perpetuate the cultural heritage of West Virginia, mainly through the recording of supernatural legends. She lived at Colonial Apartments from 1946 to her death in 1974. Her niece, Pat Musick, came from Colorado to be present for the event.

"I know she's smiling down upon us today that we are finally here for this homecoming," Byers said.

Musick, who taught at FSC from 1946 to 1967, helped to revive the West Virginia Folklore Society in 1950 along with Dr. Walter Barnes of Fairmont State and Dr. Patrick Gainer of West Virginia University. From 1951 to 1967, Musick served as the editor of the society's quarterly "West Virginia Folklore Journal." She also collected, researched and published four major folktale collections: "Ballads, Folk Songs, and Folk Tales from West Virginia;" "The Telltale Lilac Bush and Other West Virginia Ghost Tales;" "Green Hills of Magic, West Virginia Folktales from Europe;" and "Coffin Hollow and Other Ghost Tales."

Since Musick's death in 1974, Byers, has served as executrix of Musick's folklore estate, comprised of Musick's own unpublished collections and the archives of the West Virginia Folklore Society. It was Musick's wish that the collection be housed at Fairmont State and be used for programming and that someday a center or folklore study emphasis would be created.

Also during the ceremony, Lisa McCombs, a former folklore/folklife student and a current Marion County teacher, presented Byers with a hammered dulcimer made by Ralph Campbell, a neighbor of Russell Fluharty, who made the instrument based on one of Fluharty"s designs. On behalf of Sigma Sigma Sigma Alpha Kappa Chapter, Linda Orr Morgan presented Byers with a $1,200 donation to the project. Other speakers were Jonathan Maurer, son of Dr. B.B. Maurer (1920-2003), who is considered the "Father of Cultural Studies in West Virginia," and William E. Yoke Jr. of WYK Associates, Inc. Music was provided by The Brew Pub Irregulars, Mike Hattfield, Daniel Musick (nephew of Dr. Ruth Ann Musick), Ryan Kurczak and Judy Hudnell and traditional hammered dulcimers played by Patty Looman and Lynette Swiger.

The groundbreaking and public presentation of gifts kicked off The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center Barn Raising Campaign. The Gabors will act as honorary chairs of the $2 million campaign. To date, $823,500 has been pledged toward the project. Other major donors to The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center Barn Raising Campaign are Jo Marie Pitrolo and Josephine Pitrolo, Dr. Fred and Patricia Fidura, Dr. Sharon Hiltz Romino, Leyna Gabriela and the Byers-Prozzillo family.

To become a Barn Raising Campaign contributor, contact the Fairmont State Foundation, Inc. at (304) 367-4009 or toll-free at (866) 372-2586.

For more information on the Folklife Center, call Dr. Judy P. Byers, Director, at (304) 367-4286 or Noel W. Tenney, Cultural Specialist, at (304) 367-4403.