Students Create Proposal for Coal Museum
Fairmont State University students designed a proposal for a North Central West Virginia coal museum and presented their research in Washington, D.C., as part of The Appalachian Teaching Project 2008 "Strengthening Community Assets to Shape a Positive Future for Appalachia."
FSU student participants were Samantha Huffman, Kimberly Rose, Carly Satterfield and Arnold Triplett, all from Marion County. FSU faculty participants were Dr. Judy P. Byers, Abelina Suarez Professor of English, Senior Level, and Director of the Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center at FSU; and Noel W. Tenney, Cultural Specialist for the Folklife Center. Their presentation was titled "Can a depleted coal based economy be successfully converted to a workable heritage tourism endeavor using the same content, facilities and personnel?" The ARC provided a $4,000 grant to cover the students' travel expenses.
"Our students' presentation was very successful," Byers said. "We were told by other participants that our research presentation made attending the conference worthwhile."
The FSU students' project developed the base of understanding for a museum in North Central West Virginia to showcase the interpretation, preservation and perpetuation of the region's long history of coal production, economy and heritage. In the summer of 2008, students, faculty and guest researchers gathered information during the "Roads to Appalachia Study Abroad" program to England and Wales, sponsored by the Folklife Center's academic cultural programming. They travelled to Blaenavon and Aberfan, Wales, where they observed and explored the "Big Pit" National Coal Museum as well as the site of the 1966 coal disaster. Their research and project presentation also included content exhibited at the Beckley Exhibition Mines in Beckley, along with the history of mining disasters in West Virginia such as Monongah, Buffalo Creek and Sago.
The project scope and model will be proposed to the Monongah Centennial Planning Committee, the organization that is planning a coal museum in North Central West Virginia. The students will also present their proposal at FSU as part of the Undergraduate Research Celebration in spring 2009.
Other colleges and universities that participated in the conference, hosted by the Appalachian Regional Commission with the Consortium of Appalachian Colleges and Universities, were Virginia Tech, East Tennessee State University, North Georgia College & State University, Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Ohio University, Appalachian State University, Frostburg State University, Radford University, Mississippi State University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Morehead State University and Emory & Henry College. The conference was held on Dec. 5 and 6, 2008, at the Marriott Washington.
The research carried out the by the network of students, faculty and communities will strengthen partnerships, deepen research interests in Appalachia and provide community-based perspectives and solutions based on the goals of the Appalachian Regional Commission strategic plan. Strengthened research and leadership skills instilled in the participants and the collective body of knowledge gained will provide a platform for action to ensure that Appalachian communities build on inherent assets for long-term economic competitiveness.
