volume 5 issue 6 wamcc celebrates west virginia’s ... · volume 5 issue 6 wamcc celebrates west...

P.O. Box 517, Weirton, WV 26062

Volume 5 Issue 6

Also in this issue:

Museum Officers: Elected 7-7-2012

July 8, 2013

President/Exec. Director

Dennis R. Jones

1st Vice President

Pamela Makricosta

Treasurer

Paul B. Zuros

Secretary

Kim Salter

Museum Location

3149 Main Street

Newsletter Composer:

Dennis Jones

[email protected]

Museum Phone:

(304) 224-1909

Museum Hours:

Mon thru Fri

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WAMCC Celebrates West Virginia’s Sesquicentennial

Website:

www.weirtonmuseum.com

10 - 2

You may call to set up an appointment

for other possible times.

Email Address:

You’ll Do Better at Brostman’s

See Page 4

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 517

Weirton, WV 26062

A Good Time had by Children and Families - June 20

June 20 is WV Day and this year it marked the 150th Birthday of West Virginia. WAMCC, with support from Weirton Heights Rotary and the Mary H. Weir Public Library, invited children and family to come and celebrate. Among the many volunteers for the day were Judi Case, Rita Orler, Jay Arachich, Pam Makricosta (event Chairperson),

Photo by Dennis Jones




Above: A beautifully decorated birthday cake purchased by Shirley Whanger at Sparkle Mart in New Cumberland, was shared by everyone attending West Virginia’s 150th Birthday Celebration, June 20, 2013, at Weirton Area Museum & Cultural Center

Above: Olivia Carter and youngsters from Dunbar Cen-ter sign in at the reception desk with Wilma Roberts.

Above: Sara Yingling of WTRF-TV Channel 7 has fun with the children as they take turns providing interviews with the micro-phone in front of the camera.

Mary Zwierzchowski, Shirley Whanger, Lea

Shirer, Vic Greco, Marie Straight, and An-

drea Anderson. See more info on next page.

WAMCC Celebrates West Virginia’s Sesquicentennial

Volume 5, Issue 6 Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center Newsletter

Photo by Andrea Anderson Photo by Andrea Anderson

Photo by Dennis Jones Photo by Dennis Jones




Above: “The Magic Man” Jim Tate captured the attention of all the children, as he worked his magic with balloons during the final hour of the event.

Above: After initial talks by Mayor George Kondik, Dennis Jones, Dr. Luthra, and Dave Whalen (Weirton Hts. Rotary), those present witnessed a surprise visit by Abraham Lincoln, who declared WV’s statehood (see page 3 for Mr. Lincoln).

Above: Lea Shirer supervised the table where youngsters made maps of West Virginia locat-ing and highlighting special locations.

Above: Retired Hancock County Teacher Rita Orler works with several youngsters making ultraviolet bead bracelets.

Above: Mary Zwierzchowski oversees the signing of the banner which will be put in the time capsule, to be buried on Aug. 10 at Weirton Event Center.

Above: Another activity the children enjoyed was the photo booth, where they created costumes and had a fun picture taken.

Above: After the candles were lit on the cake, children sang “Happy Birth-day” to the state of West Virginia.


Amongst Our Visitors This Month



Photo by Dennis Jones Photo by Juginder Luthra

Photo by Andrea Anderson


Photo by Joe Stankiewicz Photo by Dennis Jones

On June 13, author, Bob Barnett visited WAMCC and donated a copy of his latest book, Hillside Fields: A Histo-ry of Sports in West Virginia. The book was published in May of this year and it chronicles our famous athletic triumphs and heart-breaking losses of local heroes and legendary teams. Bob is also excited about speaking at WAMCC during the Smithsonian “Hometown Teams” exhibit in August & Sept. 2014 (see page 7 for more info).

On June 20, during WV’s 150th Birthday Celebration, President Abraham Lincoln made a surprise appearance an read the proclamation declaring WV’s statehood.

On June 6, Dr Naren Doshi and his wife Dr. Nalini Doshi of La Jolla, California, visited WAMCC as guests of Drs. J.K. and Dolly Luthra. The Doshi’s, pictured above with Dennis Jones, are originally from Pitts-burgh, and were staying with the Luthras on their visit.

On June 6, Dolly & Juginder Luthra enjoyed checking out the 1926 Model T Huckster now on display at the museum.

(Above) Children and Grandchildren of Juginder & Dolly Luthra were present at the June 20 WV Birthday event. Front Row: Arjan, Amaya, and Ilan.

Back Row: Rohini, Rita Orler (retired teacher), and Rashmi

On June 2, Ruby Greathouse, Curator of the Brooke County Museum & Culture Center, was presented with an ashtray from Brooke Glass, which Paul Zuros purchased on Ebay as a gift.

Left to Right: Charles Bangert, Jr., Mayor Bill Miller, Phillip Bangert, and Dennis Jones. On June 22, Former Mayor Bill Miller visited WAMCC with family members from Virginia.


Brostman Furniture Company Remembered


Donated by Jim & Ruth Brostman Donated by Jim & Ruth Brostman

From Collection of Dennis Jones

Courtesy Weirton Steel Archives - WAMCC

Courtesy Weirton Steel Archives - WAMCC

Above Left to Right: John M. Brostman, Harry Brostman (brother of John), Ellis Brostman (son of John). They are at Brostman’s Furniture after it moved across

to 3125 Main Street. In there store front window you can see the reflection of the

other side of street including Emery & Ted’s Barber Shop at 3108 Main St.

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Above : The interior of Brostman’s Furniture when it was located at 3120 Main Street (see exterior in photo below). The man standing was a bookkeep-

er there. Brostman’s move across to 3125 Main Street in the early 1930’s.

Above : Photo from early 1960’s shows Brostman’s Furniture at 3125 Main Street, the same building which is today the home of Sherwin Williams. Much

of the front has been remodeled, but according to Jim Brostman, the rear part of

the building is still the same as he remembered it in the 1930’s.

Above : Photo of 3100 block of Main Street looking North in 1927. On the right you can see Brostman’s Furniture when it was located at 3120 Main

Street. In the foreground is Jacob Adler’s General Store and in background is

the Fair Dept Store run by Reuben Wershbole. On the left is Lincoff’s Jewel-ers store at 3117 Main St. Mr. Lincoff also had another store at his original

location at 1424 Main Street in North Weirton. The location in photo above

was purchased by William Schenley in 1930, becoming Schenley’s Jewelers.

Above : Ruth and James Brostman visited WAMCC this past month. James and Ellis were sons of John Brostman,

who co-owned Brostman’s Furniture with his brother Harry.

Jim has many stories from his childhood running store er-rands, including a story of a mad dog and neighboring store

owner, Jacob Adler, who fell after fleeing his store (cont.) >>

>> (cont. from left) Jake fell running from the dog and Ellis Brostman came to his rescue by getting the dog

between his legs with a tight hold on both ears. By-

standers compelled Ellis to turn the dog loose, but then it took off after Harry Brostman, who found safety on

his car roof as did several of the other bystanders.

Another story Jim offers is about Clyde Cattrell, who had built a house at 3444 Orchard St, originally for his

own family, but they apparently decided upon another

location. Knowing John Brostman was looking, Mr. Cattrell offered the home to him for $8000. The most

John could pay was $3000. Mr. Cattrell put the keys in

John’s hand and told him to pay whenever he could.

Jim also has an advertising thermometer, similar to the one above from the collec-

tion of Dennis Jones


Donations this Past Month

All Saints Greek Orthodox Church Donates $1000 to WAMCC On Sunday, June 16, the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center received donation checks from All

Saints Greek Orthodox Church, its charitable foundation (Philoptochos) and fraternal organizations. The

$1000.00 (total) donation will pay for a display case at the WAMCC showcasing Weirton’s Greek history. All

Saints parish history dates back to 1915 when the growing Greek immigrant community first discussed build-

ing a church in Weirton. Pictured from left to right are Nick Latousakis - Parish Council President, Rev. Fr.

Frank A. Milanese – All Saints Greek Orthodox Church Parish Priest, Paul Zuros – WAMCC treasurer, Dennis

Jones- WAMCC President, Debbie Karnoupakis – Philoptochos President, Ellen Nicholas – Daughters of

Penelope President and George Adams – AHEPA President.

Helen Ferrari Donates $50.00 to WAMCC On July 1, Helen Ferrari donated $50 and signed up as a member of

WAMCC. The display case she is standing near contains several of her

father’s items, which he brought from Yugoslavia many years ago, when

he came to Weirton (see our May, 2010 newsletter for more details).

>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Wilma Roberts Donates $100.00 to WAMCC (At right) On July 20, Wilma Roberts made a $100 donation to WAMCC. Wilma is currently a volunteer at Mary

H. Weir Public Library where she recently also tutored in Social Studies & History. Wilma was former teacher

and school guidance counselor in Steubenville and loves promoting children activities and history.

<<<<<<<< Weirton Airport Sign Donated Back in the late 1940’s thru the 1960’s Weirton had an airport, located

where the K-Mart Plaza is currently located. Eloise and George

Evans recently donated this sign pointing the way to the airport. They

also donated other items including a 1926 Weir High ONAWA year-

book, commemorative dishes and tin can banks from Weirton Steel.

(above) On July 14, Gary Collett donated several of his personal items from his years with Weirton Steel Co. He

is holding a GE belt buckle, which he was awarded for saving a large motor in the new roughing mill. While he

was inspecting there he discovered bus bars that were grounded, and if it went uncorrected the motor would

have been severely damaged and very expensive to replace. Gary also donated all of his mill badges from when

started working there in 1968 until his retirement in 2002. He kept the same number 81650 all the way!

(above) Goldie Baly recently donated a copy of her book,

“Goldie’s Memoirs” to put in the time capsule to be buried

on August 10 at the Weirton Event Center. Also she donated

a Weirton Tin Mill pocket watch to the museum for display.

Photo by Argiro Latousakis


Photo by Lea Shirer



A “Journey into the Wild and Wonderful” at WAMCC

Looking to “Rediscover Holliday’s Cove”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLMZh_V1jf8&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unFkckA-OgM&feature=youtu.be

Above Left to Right: Jesse Mestrovic, Pam Makricosta, and Wayne Worth Above: Wayne Worth prepares to interview Professor Emeritus, Dr. David T. Javersak

On Sunday, June 2, Wayne Worth, a social worker, community organizer, Vice

President of the KYOWVA Genealogical and Historical Society in Huntington, and a

WV History Hero, visited the Weirton Area Museum & Cultural Center. Joe Geiger,

Director of WV Archives, had suggested that Wayne visit WAMCC as part of his 55

county tour conducting interviews as part of his filmed documentary “Journey Into

the Wild and Wonderful.” Wayne is attempting to capture the cultural dynamics of

every WV county and get the people’s story of their heritage and history. After

Wayne’s project is completed he plans to provide every West Virginia 8th Grade

History teacher with the documentary materials to enhance their curriculum.

WAMCC Executive Director Dennis Jones arranged for Wayne to interview David Javersak,

Ruby Greathouse, and Pam Makricosta for his visit on June 2. In addition, Linda McNeil of

the Hancock County Historical Museum put us in touch with Jesse Mestrovic of Tomlinson

Run State Park, who was also interviewed. Wayne’s interviews for Brooke and Hancock

Counties are now processed and available for viewing on Youtube at:

Above: Paul Zuros and Dennis Jones in the 1926 Model T Ford Huckster during Weirton’s 2013 Independence Day Parade - July 6, 2013

The Huckster is owned by WAMCC President / Executive Director Dennis Jones, who so far has not driven it more than a few blocks from the museum.

Saturday, July 6, proved to be a very in-teresting day, as Dennis Jones and Paul Zuros attempted to run the 1926 Model T Ford Huckster in Weirton’s Independ-ence Day Parade and do a little advertis-ing “on the side.” After much trouble getting the vehicle started, it then stalled out while waiting a good while in the parade lineup. When it came time to go in the parade it would not start due to a dead battery. A friend happened to be waiting in traffic for the parade to be over and offered to give the Model T a tow. So, the huckster was hitched up to his pickup (which happened to have a large refrigerator in the back bed), and the pulled through the parade “West Virginia” style. The theme of this year’s parade, produced by the Millsop Com-munity Center, was “A Mountaineer Homecoming—150 Years Stong.” The Model T does plan to be there at the Weirton Event Center on August 10, as we “Rediscover Holliday’s Cove.” Lesson Learned >> Before the next parade the huckster will get a new gener-ator and thorough tune up.

Photo by Dennis Jones Photo by Dennis Jones


Museum Has Three Entries in Parade There were two other vehicles in the Independence Day Parade running under the Weirton Area Museum banner. They were the 1950 Ford Truck owned and driven by Victor Greco and the 1929 Model A Ford owned and driven by Ed DiBacco.


WAMCC Grant Committee - Bearers of Good News

WAMCC Selected to Host “Hometown Teams” Smithsonian Exhibit in 2014

On July 2, Mark Payne, Program Director for the WV Humanities Council, an-nounced the six sites (see list below) in West Virginia that were selected to host the Smithsonian traveling exhibit Hometown Teams. The exhibit examines the role of sports in American culture - past and pre-sent. Robbie Davis, project director with the Smithsonian Institution explained “Hometown sports can be more than just games, they can become cultural touch-

stones with the ability to unite us and shape our values.” And what more could be true for the Weirton area hometown team sports? In addition to sponsoring the state tour of this exhibit, the WV Humanities Council will provide funding to the six sites to develop companion displays and supplemental programs that focus on our local hometown teams. WAMCC members Jolene Zuros and Dennis Jones, who

Museum Name City Date of Exhibit Exhibit Director

Parkersburg Art Center Parkersburg February 1 - March 15 Abby Hayhurst Buck Harless Community Center Gilbert March 22 - May 3 Cheryl Mitchem Preston County Sports Museum Rowlesburg May 11 - June 21 Anna Nassif Randolph County Community Arts Ctr. Elkins June 29 - August 9 Kurt Barkley Weirton Area Museum & Cultural Ctr. Weirton August 17 - Sept. 27 Dennis Jones Morgantown History Museum Morgantown October 5 - Nov. 15 Pamela Ball

worked together in applying for the exhibit, will now rep-resent WAMCC at the statewide planning meeting at Flat-woods this August and then again at the installation workshop in Parkersburg in January. It will be WAMCC's turn to carry the ball and represent the North-ern Panhandle of WV with this exhibit in August & Sep-tember of 2014. Several local exhibit planning meetings will be scheduled at WAMCC with our collaborators. In advance, we have spoken with Bob Kelley (Weir High Sports Legend), John Sorrenti (Legendary WEIR Sports Announcer), Dan Enich (Weir High), Stephen Grasser (Madonna), Linda McNeil (Hancock County Museum), Dan Greathouse (Director of Top of WV CVB), and Rik Rekowski (Mary H. Weir Public Library) who have pledged their support and collaboration to draw local in-terest, offer companion exhibits, and participate in exhibit-related activities. We thank the WV Humanities Council for sponsoring this exhibit at WAMCC in Weirton ! ! !

During the cold winter months of January thru March and into the month of April, members of the WAMCC grant committee were very hard at work. They made necessary phone calls, performed the necessary research, completed the necessary paperwork, and submitted the required applications and forms on time for several grants, which are much needed to continue our muse-um’s growth and mission to preserve our local history and culture for future generations. Now, like those who farmed our fertile Cove Valley over 100 years ago, they stand proud, as their crops come to fruition, and the harvest is about to begin. Thanks in part to the Grant Committee, our public events, our community oriented museum, and those who support us, we have received word of 2 grants awarded to us in this spring & summer of 2013: 1) Charles M. Pugliese & Thelma M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation - $13,700 2) J. C. Williams / PNC Charitable Trust - $25,000 We thank these entities for their financial support and confidence they show in us to get the job done. How-ever, there is little time for celebration as there is much work to do and additional projects that need money before we can open our upstairs to the public.

WAMCC Grant Committee Seated Left to Right: Jolene Zuros, Pamela Makricosta, and Mary Zwierzchowski Standing Left to Right: Dennis Jones and Jason Rine Jolene and Jason are new to the grant committee this year. They have added much energy and bring a professional attitude that is required to get a job done. We also thank Barb Zimnox of the Brooke Hancock Jefferson Planning Commission (BHJ) for her assistance. The committee has much more work to do, as we need to apply for additional grants in order to open our upstairs to the public. We thank you, the public, for your support and interest, which provides quality content to our monthly newsletters, which in turn proves to be wonder-ful testimony to our prospective funders.

Photo by Bob Shirer


Join Us at the Museum for “Afternoon Tea with Rosie the Riveter”

Chatting with the women who worked in our mills and facto-ries during World War II

Chatting with the women who worked in our mills and facto-ries during World War II

John Lilly Coming to Play for the Rosies John Lilly is a multi-talented acoustic music performer from Charleston, West Virginia, specializing in American, roots country, and traditional folk music. John has released six self-produced CD’s and is recognized internationally as a power-ful performing songwriter, winning several awards. He was a former tour guide at the County Music Hall of Fame and Mu-seum in Nashville and has served as editor for West Virginia’s Golden Seal Magazine since 1997. According to one review-er, “If Hank Williams had a sunny disposition, he’d be John Lilly. This will be John’s first trip to Weirton, and he is look-ing forward to playing for our “Rosies” on July 27. Please come out and show your support.

(above) Pam Makricosta with her friend, John Lilly, at a West Virginia Library

Association event at the Culture Center in Charleston on Feb. 4, 2010.


Out of the Blue bluegrass band plays a lively mix of traditional and progressive bluegrass, in addition to bluegrass covers of rock classics. The band consists of husband and wife team of Kim and Bev West from Wheeling on guitar and banjo and vocals. Bluegrass veteran Debbie Daugh-erty from New Cumberland plays upright bass and also provides vocals. The band is rounded out by Wheeling Park Bluegrass alumni Carlton Ferrell on fiddle and Joe King on mandolin. Charlie Tansek and the Chicago Tradition are based in Canton, Ohio, playing the old traditional polka favorites. The soft joyful polka melo-dies will fill the Weirton Event Center, as Charlie plays the old squeezebox, accompanied by his talented band members playing the trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, guitar, and drums. Above photo on right was taken on June 30, 2013 at the Serbian Picnic Grounds.

*** Both the above bands will play at “Rediscover Holliday’s Cove” - August 10 - At the Weirton Event Center ***

Holliday’s Cove to be “Rediscovered” on August 10

Plans to “Rediscover Holliday’s Cove” on August 10 continue. Former Cove School Principal Mike Swartz-miller has been selected to be the Master of Ceremonies during the Recognition of Cove School Faculty & Stu-dents and during the Unveiling of the Cove School Commemorative Marker. Ceremonies are to start at 5:00 pm at the Weirton Event Center. There will also be two live bands (see information below), a time cap-sule burial, and drawings for the “Rediscover Holliday’s Cove Contest winner and general raffle winners.

“Rediscover Holliday’s Cove” Agenda - August 10 10:00 to 2:00 Markets and Trash & Treasure 4:00 to 8:00 Live Bands (Blue Grass & Polka - see details below) “ “ Holliday’s Cove Treasure / Scavenger Hunt “ “ Old Holliday’s Cove Photo Displays (bring photos) “ “ Good Food 4:00 to 6:00 Signing of Cove School Banner (for time capsule) 5:00 Recognition of Cove School Faculty & Students 5:30 Unveiling of Cove School Historic Marker 6:00 Time Capsule Burial 7:00 Cove Contest Drawing & Raffle Drawings

2014 Picture Calendars Available at August 10 event: Following our tradition of offering historic photo calendars each

year, we will have 2 calendars available, each with at least 14 beautiful old photos. On the left above is the “Fill’er Up with History” Calendar showing many of the old gas stations of Weirton and Holliday’s Cove. In middle above is the “Rediscover Holliday’s Cove” calendar with many old & historic photos of Holliday’s Cove. Calendars are $8.00 each or 2 for $15.00. DO NOT MISS OUT—These Sell Out Quick ! ! !

Rediscover Holliday’s Cove Mug Also available August 10, will be the souvenir coffee mug in blue or in green. Price will be $5.00

Call Dennis Jones for

details (304) 670-8489

Out of the Blue Charlie Tansek and the Chicago Tradition


Two Bands Scheduled for August 10 Event - “Rediscover Holliday’s Cove”


volume 5 issue 6 wamcc celebrates west virginia’s ... · volume 5 issue 6 wamcc celebrates west...

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