< Previous20 People & Mountains To support our programs, you can donate online at wvhumanities.org/donate/donate-here or by mail at 1310 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston, WV 25301. anniversary and the generous sponsorship of West Virginia’s Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs, whose support made the evening more significant. Only a handful of seats remained as the lights dimmed and the stage glowed to welcome Everett—who won the National Book Award for James a mere month later—and his signature gravelly voice, so often paired with a wry half-smile throughout his remarks. In appearances elsewhere, Everett’s remarks have highlighted James’ resistance. “Reading is a subversive act,” Everett has said. “The people seeking to ban books either can’t read, or don’t read.” The author spoke in similar terms that night, in view of the Kanawha County Public Library’s lights glowing up, down, and across Summers Street. “What is the value of art that disturbs us, that troubles us, that shakes us up?” asked Council Executive Director Eric Waggoner. “I think any art that addresses truth can do that,” Everett responded. “We understand happiness because we understand grief and sadness. In fact, so much humor issues from our difficult times, our hard times. Some of our most intellectual Due to the recent DOGE cuts to the NEH in early April, all new History Alive! bookings have been paused. You may continue to see some History Alive! presentations in your area, booked before the moratorium was put in place. Future issues of The Broad Side publication will be included in People & Mountains. PROGRAM NOTES Mesha Maren and interesting humor comes from oppressed situations, oppressed people.” This appreciation of humor as a form of resilience—and of literature, art, and the production of knowledge as fundamentally subversive expressions that provide people with tools in the face of oppression—is a through-line of Everett’s work, and one of the points that has remained salient in the minds of the staff long after the author boarded his plane at Yeager Airport. Indeed, the event left its mark on audience members as well. Though more than seven months have passed, staff members are still approached by people who recognize our logo and say, “I went to the Percival Everett talk last year. It was amazing.” A librarian friend has told me more than once that she’ll remember it for the rest of her life. So will we. It’s the kind of programming the Council has brought to West Virginians for 50 years. And we hope to continue for at least a half- century more. Kyle Warmack is the Council’s program officer. Thanks to generous funding from the Herscher Foundation, our 2025 Little Lectures series will continue as scheduled. Join us at our Charleston headquarters on June 22 (poet Doug Van Gundy) and July 20 (novelist Mesha Maren) for in-depth discussions of West Virginia literature.Summer 2025 21 By Heather Campbell Hello, People & Mountains readers! I was thrilled when the editor asked me to write a few words about how the Council uses grant funds provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). In 2024, fully 83.92 percent of our award from the NEH went directly to Council grants and programs. Our grants used 42.99% of the NEH funds. Grants awarded by the Council funded many projects in communities all across West Virginia—from the Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown to the Jackson County Public Library digitizing frail historical documents. Our programs used 40.93% of the NEH funds. Without this support, the Council would not have been able to present author Percival Everett as our 2024 McCreight Lecturer in the Humanities in conversation about his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel James or cosponsor the 2024 West Virginia Book Festival. NEH support also allowed us to share our Little Lectures speaker series with a worldwide audience through the Council’s YouTube Channel. The federal funds the Council received for grants and programs have been matched dollar for dollar with funding from other sources, whether from public support, the Council’s donors, or by grantee sponsoring organizations. Our goal is to leverage our funding to support communities in telling their stories and to bring thought-provoking programming to all West Virginians. Heather Campbell is the Council’s fiscal officer. Where Our Money Comes From... and Goes 2024 Summary of Support $980,309 National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) 51.9% $241,305 Federal Grants 12.8% $163,836 Other 8.7% $254,628 Private Donors 13.4% $250,000 State of WV 13.2% 2024 Summary of Expenses $867,001 Programs 47.2% $416,683 Grants 22.7% $463,550 General Management . 25.3% . $88,295 Fund Development 4.8%22 People & Mountains Once a month, I contribute to remind myself of the importance of the humanities to our country, our state—especially in this time of uncertainty for education in the humanities. It’s reason enough to make me want to do my part, each month, every month, however modest. I urge you to become a GEM supporter as well, and remember that the humanities not only cleanse the corruption of power, as President Kennedy said, but preserve our freedom as well.” Katie Morris is the Council’s development director. Patrick Cassidy of Wheeling By Katie Morris When asked why he supports the Humanities Council as a GEM (Give Every Month) donor, former board member Patrick Cassidy says, “Let me respond with a quote from a former and beloved by most—if not all—Americans. U.S. President John F. Kennedy spoke these words at Amherst College (nationally renowned for its humanities programs) just a month before his assassination: DONOR SPOTLIGHT The Federation of State Humanities Councils with support from the Mellon Foundation has offered an additional $50,000 in matching funds to the West Virginia Humanities Council. All funds raised between April 29, 2025, and the end of the year will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling their impact on the Council’s future. ‘When power leads men towards arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the areas of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness of and diversity of his existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.’ Your Gift Matters Now More Than Ever! Become a GEM donor and receive a limited edition cryptid pin designed by Liz Pavlovic View our full recent Donor List at wvhumanities.org/donate/donor-list Contribute online at wvhumanities.org/donate/donate-here or by mail at 1310 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston, WV 25301. Photo by Michael KellerSummer 2025 23 The Ruby family, who left when Union forces took control of the Kanawha Valley, returned post-war. In 1921, the Crowley family purchased and modernized the home, likely subdividing the property. John W. and Mary Ashby Hubbard acquired the house in 1941, adding a second- floor extension and expanding the kitchen. John Hubbard died a year after the purchase, leaving equal shares to his wife and daughter, Elizabeth. Following Elizabeth’s death, she bequeathed it to Charleston’s First Presbyterian Church. The Council bought the house a year later, preserving its legacy and transforming it into a cultural and civic hub. Tricia Stringer is operations manager for the Council. By Tricia Stringer For over 20 years, the West Virginia Humanities Council has called the MacFarland-Hubbard House home. This historic 1836 residence is one of only a handful of buildings in Charleston that predates the Civil War. Purchased by the Council in 1998 and renovated by 2000, the house serves as both a working office and a public venue for events such as our annual West Virginia Day celebration, Holiday Open House, Little Lectures series, and folklife showcases. Built by craftsman Norris Stanley Whittaker using unfired brick made onsite, the house was first owned by merchant Henry Devol MacFarland. After his death in 1845, the Ruby family took ownership with former mayor and grocer John C. Ruby II residing here by 1851. During the Civil War, Union soldiers used the house as a makeshift hospital. A Confederate cannonball was fired into the house during the 1862 Battle of Charleston (though it was not the intended target). Our Historic Headquarters Visit us for our West Virginia Day open house on Friday, June 20, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. More than ever, we look forward to seeing you at our historic headquarters! Photo by Michael Keller24 People & Mountains and communities, and offers a strong sense of belonging and awareness of who we are and why our histories matter. As enduring as folklife is, it can easily be taken for granted. It takes considerable effort to recognize this traditional knowledge and carry it on. Artists, grandparents, teachers, and elders are experts and mentors who share repertoires of stories, songs, recipes, and dances. Without them, we easily forget, and may never learn, about the depth and diversity of our communities. Who do you ask about family history? Who among your neighbors knows how to grow heirloom vegetables or preserve food? Do you keep photographs or even recorded interviews of your ancestors practicing family traditions? Now, think about the organizations that support these efforts: museums, libraries, even dance halls and churches. These collective efforts safeguard our cultural traditions and keep us connected. They provide a platform to learn about our past in the present context. By Dr. Jennie S. Williams What is folklife and why is it important? How do communities benefit from grants and organizations dedicated to supporting folk and traditional arts? Because of the recent and deep funding cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities, I’m moved to reflect on the importance of organizations dedicated to the humanities and arts, and to acknowledge the precariousness of institutions that preserve and promote our many stories, traditions, cultural expressions, creativity, and collective histories. Folklorist Mary Hufford once wrote, “Folklife is community life and values, artfully expressed in myriad interactions. It is universal, diverse, and enduring” (Library of Congress, 1991). It is “universal” in the way that everyone communicates and “diverse” in that folklife is culturally informed by its time and place. Folklife is important because it connects us to our homes FOLKLIFE AT THE HEART OFImportantly, organizations and their partners that support folk and traditional arts inspire people to carry traditions forward. They rely on both community engagement and financial support to make these memorable programs happen. This is why it’s essential to support the organizations behind community fairs and festivals, gatherings, workshops, exhibits, and events that the whole family can enjoy. These programs don’t happen organically and often require months of planning and collaborative efforts. At the West Virginia Humanities Council—a nonprofit organization that in 2024 celebrated 50 years of supporting humanities-based projects—I manage the West Virginia Folklife Program. Like Goldenseal magazine, West Virginia Folklife is one of only a few statewide programs that promote, document, and celebrate West Virginia traditions. They facilitate educational opportunities for West Virginians, as well as chances to share with one another, identify deeper meanings behind traditions, and recognize regional cultural variations. Our West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship program ensures a wide-reaching and sustained impact. An apprenticeship is a one-to-one method of teaching that involves years of passing on traditional skills as well as stories between a teacher and apprentice, often to support occupational training leading to mastery. Consider the increased attention and support a student “Folklife is important because it connects us to our homes and communities, and offers a strong sense of belonging and awareness of who we are and why our histories matter.” —Mary Hufford Photo by Andrew Carroll 25People & Mountains the shoulders of giants—relying on methods, archival collections, and publications of folklorists who preceded us. Our research projects and programs have built on their foundational work by finding innovative ways to support these initiatives, such as obtaining grants or connecting people to similar organizations and projects to build new collaborations. Regional, state, university, and community archives, as well as museums, nonprofit organizations, and even smaller-scale organizations, all possess records of West Virginia’s important cultural history. As a folklorist, I value the long-term process of spending time with communities and archival collections, attending events, and finding resourceful ways to help communities obtain funding support or other platforms to promote their work and cultural histories. can receive with this level of focused instruction and practice. Apprenticeships are so much more than teaching. They can lead to lifelong mentorships rooted in cultural practice, history, and companionship. Many folklife programs throughout the United States provide grants to sustain traditional arts through apprenticeship models. The West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship program continues a long-standing program folklorist Gerry Milnes managed at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins for many years. Several traditional artists participated in the Augusta program, including when Ginny Hawker apprenticed with ballad singer Pheoba Parsons in 1989. Now, over 35 years later, Ginny has received the Vandalia Award—West Virginia’s highest folklife honor—for carrying on old-time singing traditions and participating in events that support the vitality and variations of this traditional music. Ginny is currently passing on her knowledge of Primitive Baptist hymn singing to Mary Linscheid through our own apprenticeship program. A folklife apprenticeship is a tangible example of how an organization can help artists sustain their traditional practices through another generation. West Virginia Folklife is approaching its 10 th anniversary this year. My predecessor Emily Hilliard and I have developed this program on Chris Haddox (left) playing music with his fiddle repair apprentice, Mary Linscheid Photo by Jennie S. Williams 26Summer 2025 27 all around us reinforces our dynamic yet enduring culture and helps us carry on traditions that have been passed on to us. We need to recognize and stand up for organizations in our communities that promote folklife. After all, it represents our community life and values. Connect with us at wvfolklife.org @wvfolklife Dr. Jennie S. Williams is the Council’s state folklorist . Finally, we cannot rely on photographs and recorded oral histories alone. At the heart of folklife and folklore is communication. We need to channel our support to organizations that preserve both documented records of cultural knowledge, and opportunities for practicing traditions. Likewise, we cannot depend on YouTube or AI to accurately answer all our questions, or else we miss out on chances to learn directly from our elders. Traditional knowledge reflects regional differences in language, food practices, fiddle tunes, or weaving techniques—all of which are culturally informed. Embracing our cultural idiosyncrasies helps us understand who we are and where we come from. Preserving recorded knowledge along with the knowledge we learn directly from teachers Photo by Andrew Carroll Enrica McMillion (right) makes adjustments to an antique great spinning wheel Photo by Andrew Carroll To support the West Virginia Folklife Program, you can donate online at wvhumanities.org/donate/donate-here or by mail at 1310 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston, WV 25301.28 People & Mountains Board of Directors Council Staff George “Gib” Brown, President (Clarksburg) Paul Papadopoulos, Vice President (Hurricane) Elliot Hicks, Treasurer (Charleston) Leslie Baker, Secretary (Beckley) Bob Bastress (Morgantown) Matthew Bond (Charleston) Gregory Coble (Shepherdstown) Cicero Fain III (Huntington) Ann Farr (Frankford) Patrick Felton (Wheeling) Rita Hedrick-Helmick (Glenville) Charles Ledbetter (Charleston) Paula Jo Meyer-Stout (Morgantown) Susan Mills (Shepherdstown) Michele Moure-Reeves (Mathias) Amy Pancake (Romney) Katrena Ramsey (Ravenswood) Lisa Rose (Morgantown) Tom Sopher (Beckley) Pam Tarr (Charleston) Bryson VanNostrand (Buckhannon) Lydia Warren (Fairmont) Jill Wilson (Charleston) Eric Waggoner, Executive Director Stan Bumgardner, e-WV Media Editor Heather Campbell, Fiscal Officer Katie Morris, Development Director Erin Riebe, Grants Administrator Tricia Stringer, Operations Manager Kyle Warmack, Program Officer Jennie S. Williams, State Folklorist waggoner@wvhumanities.org bumgardner@wvhumanities.org campbell@wvhumanities.org morris@wvhumanities.org riebe@wvhumanities.org stringer@wvhumanities.org warmack@wvhumanities.org williams@wvhumanities.orgThe West Virginia Humanities Council, an independent nonpartisan nonprofit institution, is the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. We welcome comments and financial contributions. Please address correspondence to: West Virginia Humanities Council 1310 Kanawha Blvd E Charleston WV 25301 Email wvhuman@wvhumanities.org or call 304-346-8500 Produced and published by Marcus Constantino, Appalachian Visuals. Layout design and typesetting by Brianna Rose Jarvis. Next >