Former Chief Historian of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Dennis Frye speaks with National History Academy students . Photo by Journey Through Hallowed Ground .
organizations to support preservation and site operations . As NHAs can leverage up to $ 5.50 for every $ 1 of federal investment , those grants are expected to create an additional $ 429,906 .
Covering a different part of Mountain State culture , the NCHA focuses on the history of coal mining in Southern West Virginia . Designated in 1996 , the NCHA includes interpretive themes like the business of coal mining , life underground , company towns , mining technology and the crisis and renewal of the coal industry . This heritage area represents the rugged landscape where miners and their families lived and worked .
The NCHA has brought financial resources and recognition to the region by collaborating with local towns , cities , nonprofits and county governments to protect coal mining history and attract heritage tourists .
“ Coalfield history and culture contain key elements of a unique social and economic history , including stories of industrial might , the struggle for labor unions and the growth of a distinctive culture among the different ethnic groups who lived together in the ‘ company towns ’ of the region ,” says Christy Bailey , executive director of the NCHA .
The NCHA ’ s designation and the work of its grantees have produced more than $ 17 million to be put directly back into Southern West Virginia communities .
JTHG ’ s impact reaches West Virginia as well as many towns in bordering states . It stretches 180 miles long , from Gettysburg , PA , to Charlottesville , VA , passing through Harpers Ferry . The region includes two World Heritage Sites , the country ’ s largest concentration of Civil War battlefields and 13 national park units .
The coordinating entity for JTHG is the JTHG Partnership , which contains a network of more than 350 NHA partners , including the Harpers Ferry National Historic Park , helping improve their respective regions .
“ With so many important sites within the region , we view JTHG as the greatest outdoor classroom in the nation to teach the foundations of American democracy and have started programs to educate both young people and adults ,” says Bill Sellers , president and CEO of JTHG .
This NHA hosts the National History Academy , a four-week summer program for high school students to explore historic
sites and learn about the region . Volunteer efforts , such as tree plantings and community projects , are also vital to the JTHG ’ s operations .
Sellers says that as the NHA receives annual funding from the NPS that much be matched , JTHG more than meets that goal .
“ An economic impact study prepared in 2015 showed that each year , the JTHG generates $ 703 million in economic impact , supports 8,401 jobs and generates $ 51.1 million in tax revenue ,” he says .
The WNHA , designated in 1994 , was historically significant as a gateway to the West . It played a crucial role in commerce through the National Road and the Ohio River , evolving from a frontier outpost to a wealthy industrial center .
“ The Wheeling community benefits greatly from having a heritage area in their backyard ,” says Scott Schenerlein , executive director of the WNHA . “ Historic designations of neighborhoods and grant funding have made opportunities possible that otherwise may not be available .”
Schenerlein explains the significance of WNHA ’ s designation by saying that without it , the site couldn ’ t function .
“ Without the NHA designation , we would not even be here ,” he says . “ The funding we receive sets the base for us to be able to grow . It also offers us opportunities to get funding for other projects .”
NHAs consider volunteers some of their greatest assets . Schenerlein says that , as most NHAs do not have large staff numbers , heritage areas rely heavily on volunteer work to operate .
When grant funding needs matched , groups often match their dollars with volunteer time . Bailey says that in 2021 , the NCHA had 172 volunteers supply 2,189 hours of work .
Many NHAs also utilize volunteer groups like AmeriCorps or start their own volunteer programs such as the AFNHA , which has developed a volunteer management handbook and an annual volunteer training program .
“ We try to document and celebrate the volunteer time and effort that often happens behind the scenes and unbeknownst to the general public ,” Duvall-Irwin says .
West Virginia ’ s NHAs continue to work toward preserving and promoting their unique histories . Visitors are encouraged to explore these heritage areas and support the preservation of West Virginia ’ s cultural landscape . •
NHAs building partnerships by convening diverse stakeholders . Photo by Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area .
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