Organization & Structure
History
The Monongalia Historical Society was incorporated in the State of West Virginia on January 28, 1954, and the purpose of the Society was further clarified in an amendment filed May 22, 1964. The Society received IRS determination in 1996 as being exempt from federal income tax as a 501 (c) 3 organization, and thus eligible for tax-deductible donations.
Governance and Financial Support
The Society is organized with a charter and bylaws, and is managed by a board of directors and officers, elected biannually. Major issues are brought to the membership at the quarterly dinner meetings when elections are also held. Several committees are active in the organization. Financial support is by member dues, donations, publication sales, and grants from foundations, the Monongalia County Commission, and various West Virginia State agencies.
Purpose
The purpose of the Society is to further the awareness of history with emphasis on the Monongalia County area, which initially was composed of several present-day West Virginia counties as well as a portion of southwestern Pennsylvania. To do this, the Society conducts four dinner meetings each year with programs involving historical subjects. Meetings are held at 6:15 PM at the Suncrest United Methodist Church in Morgantown (Van Voorhis Road) on the third Fridays of March, May, September, and November. The current dinner cost is $10.00; persons not wishing to have dinner can attend the program portion of the meeting without charge. All members receive the quarterly newsletter with articles of local interest, and an Annual Proceedings booklet which contains historical manuscripts. In addition several monographs have been published and are for sale to the public. The Society also serves as a contact point for persons looking for genealogical information and several members will undertake related research for individuals not residing in the local area.
History
The Monongalia Historical Society was incorporated in the State of West Virginia on January 28, 1954, and the purpose of the Society was further clarified in an amendment filed May 22, 1964. The Society received IRS determination in 1996 as being exempt from federal income tax as a 501 (c) 3 organization, and thus eligible for tax-deductible donations.
Governance and Financial Support
The Society is organized with a charter and bylaws, and is managed by a board of directors and officers, elected biannually. Major issues are brought to the membership at the quarterly dinner meetings when elections are also held. Several committees are active in the organization. Financial support is by member dues, donations, publication sales, and grants from foundations, the Monongalia County Commission, and various West Virginia State agencies.
Purpose
The purpose of the Society is to further the awareness of history with emphasis on the Monongalia County area, which initially was composed of several present-day West Virginia counties as well as a portion of southwestern Pennsylvania. To do this, the Society conducts four dinner meetings each year with programs involving historical subjects. Meetings are held at 6:15 PM at the Suncrest United Methodist Church in Morgantown (Van Voorhis Road) on the third Fridays of March, May, September, and November. The current dinner cost is $10.00; persons not wishing to have dinner can attend the program portion of the meeting without charge. All members receive the quarterly newsletter with articles of local interest, and an Annual Proceedings booklet which contains historical manuscripts. In addition several monographs have been published and are for sale to the public. The Society also serves as a contact point for persons looking for genealogical information and several members will undertake related research for individuals not residing in the local area.
The Easton Roller Mill
Another function of the Society is to aid in preserving artifacts and documents of local interest. In 1980 the Easton Roller Mill was deeded to the Society, and currently houses items of historical interest. However, the main function of the mill is for educational purposes, and tours and open houses are regularly conducted. The mill was constructed from 1864 to 1867, and is a large 3 1/2 story building located on West Run in Easton, Monongalia County. It was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1976. The mill was originally powered with steam and a coal-burning boiler, but is now operated with a compressed air system for demonstrations. A fall “Mill Day” has been held for many years that features pancake meals, mill tours and demonstrations of historical interest such as sheep shearing, chair caning, and flour sack and textile displays. A video is available on this web site showing the mill in operation.
Another function of the Society is to aid in preserving artifacts and documents of local interest. In 1980 the Easton Roller Mill was deeded to the Society, and currently houses items of historical interest. However, the main function of the mill is for educational purposes, and tours and open houses are regularly conducted. The mill was constructed from 1864 to 1867, and is a large 3 1/2 story building located on West Run in Easton, Monongalia County. It was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1976. The mill was originally powered with steam and a coal-burning boiler, but is now operated with a compressed air system for demonstrations. A fall “Mill Day” has been held for many years that features pancake meals, mill tours and demonstrations of historical interest such as sheep shearing, chair caning, and flour sack and textile displays. A video is available on this web site showing the mill in operation.
The Reid Gas Engine
Also on display outside the Easton Roller Mill is a Reid natural-gas fired engine. The Joseph Reid Gas Engine Company of Oil City, Pennsylvania built these engines to pump oil wells, and they were widely used in West Virginia in the Sistersville area. Each engine was linked to several oil wells with pulleys and overhead cables so that one engine could pump many wells. They began operation in 1898. Reid engines are two stroke (or two cycle) in operation. They are large flywheel engines that deploy a separate charging cylinder outside the main chamber. The charging cylinder was mounted on either the right or left hand side of the engine. This early engine used a hot tube ignition and ran off the natural gas directly from the well head. Since no natural gas in available at the Easton Roller Mill site, the engine can be operated using propane gas bottles. A video is on this web site showing the engine in operation.
Also on display outside the Easton Roller Mill is a Reid natural-gas fired engine. The Joseph Reid Gas Engine Company of Oil City, Pennsylvania built these engines to pump oil wells, and they were widely used in West Virginia in the Sistersville area. Each engine was linked to several oil wells with pulleys and overhead cables so that one engine could pump many wells. They began operation in 1898. Reid engines are two stroke (or two cycle) in operation. They are large flywheel engines that deploy a separate charging cylinder outside the main chamber. The charging cylinder was mounted on either the right or left hand side of the engine. This early engine used a hot tube ignition and ran off the natural gas directly from the well head. Since no natural gas in available at the Easton Roller Mill site, the engine can be operated using propane gas bottles. A video is on this web site showing the engine in operation.