Main Street Fairmont Podcasts to Feature Fairmont State Alumni
Main Street Fairmont will be unveiling oral history podcasts on Sunday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m. at Gatherings, 216 Monroe St., Fairmont. These podcasts document what life was like in Fairmont during the early and mid-20th century. Many of the Fairmont stories are told by Fairmont State alumni. You will recognize some familiar names and faces.
The documentaries contain oral histories taken from Fairmonters such as Frank Pulice Jr., Dr. Naomi Hovater, Diane Parker, Jo Ann Lough, Mr. and Mrs. Julian Pitman, Frances Rush, Jim Martin, Gena Wagaman, Jim Martin, Ray Henderson, Mike Rohaly, Asa Davison, Greg Bray, Sherry Marks, Rita Hall, Ron Fawcett, John Veasey, the late Virginia Welty, Rev. DD Meighen, Patricia Pagan, Carol Bunner and June Conaway.
The podcasts include videos with titles such as: "King Coal," "Saturday Night is Alright," "That Good Lookin’ Ice Cream Man," "The Palace Restaurant," "Woodlawn Cemetery," "The Birthplace of Holidays" and "Postcards from Marion County."
Main Street Fairmont also completed a 60-minute video walking tour of downtown Fairmont’s historic landmarks.
Funded in part by a grant through Preserve America (a White House initiative), the Marion County Commission and the Fairmont-Marion County Convention and Visitors Bureau, these podcasts are supplemented with historic photographs provided by the Marion County Historical Society and the West Virginia State Archives. Audissey Media developed and produced the podcasts.
Assistant Director Sandra Scaffidi said, “I hope these podcasts will be viewed as a love letter to the city of Fairmont. We wanted to capture the memories of older Fairmonters and ensure they would be shared with the younger generation. I think it is pretty clear from these podcasts that the citizens of Fairmont always cared about their neighbors, were proud of their city and knew how to have a good time. I think the themes in the podcasts will resonate with everyone who views them.”
The podcasts and a walking tour will be able to be viewed on YouTube by searching "Finding Fairmont."
The event is open to the public. Popcorn and candy will be served. Donations are appreciated.
Main Street FairmontSandra Scaffidi
