The following is part of a Vandaleer series from partner Preservation Alliance of West Virginia. The series focuses on young adults in West Virginia.
Good day! My name is Edward Pride IV and I am the Preserve WV AmeriCorps Member at Waldomore in Clarksburg, Harrison County. I am entering my second year with Preserve WV AmeriCorps, having served the previous year at Waldomore. A native of Morgantown, I am a proud West Virginian who hopes to contribute and improve upon our state. Through the Preserve WV AmeriCorps Program, AmeriCorps Members are able to utilize historic preservation as a means to revitalize communities while preserving historic resources throughout the Mountain State. As a new year of service approaches, a flurry of activity has taken over Waldomore while an extensive renovation continues. In the coming months, completion of the renovation and the reopening of this historic structure are just some of the tasks that will be performed.
I received a Regents Bachelor of Arts with a focus in History from Marshall University and a Graduate Certificate in Cultural Resource Management from West Virginia University. Before arriving at Preserve WV, I served as a volunteer at the Art Museum of West Virginia University, assisting in the documentation and packing of collections prior to their move into a new museum. Through the Art Museum of WVU, I was able to gain invaluable training and experience, especially in regards to the planning and execution of moving Waldomore’s contents before renovation. My education and training has continued through Preserve WV, including the documenting and cleaning of stained glass, window restoration, moving supports and beams from historic structures, volunteer development, and non-profit management.
Constructed in 1842 by Waldo P. Goff, Waldomore originally served as residence of the Goff family. The structure’s name is derived from the names of Waldo P. Goff and his wife, Harriet L. Moore. After nearly a century as a private home, May Goff Lowndes donated Waldomore in 1930 to the City of Clarksburg for use as a library and museum. From 1931 to 1975, Waldomore operated as a public library. With the completion of a new library structure in 1975, Waldomore was repurposed into a center for historical and genealogy research as well as host to performances, exhibitions, and civic events.
Beginning in spring 2016, Waldomore has been in the midst of renovations. Some of the tasks being performed include the removal and abatement of lead and asbestos, removal of electrical wiring and installation of new electrical systems, restoration of plaster on the second floor, repainting of interior rooms, and installation of new carpeting on the second floor and stairwells. Due to the scale of the project, the building’s contents had to be removed and temporarily stored in order to accommodate the overhaul. Upon completion of the renovation, the return and unpacking of Waldomore’s collections will serve my primary site project for the service year. Other projects that will be performed during the year include development of collections and procedural policies, growth of the Waldomore volunteer program, continued preservation of archives and special collections, and expansion of social media. A new chapter is unfolding for Waldomore and thanks to Preserve WV AmeriCorps, I am able to help in bringing this grand structure back to life!
Publisher’s Note
A statewide service initiative, the Preserve WV AmeriCorps program places service members at historic non-profit sites or local government agencies for a one-year period where they complete specific projects aimed at improving historic resources and managing volunteers for special events. The end goal of these projects is community revitalization, with a focus on long-term historic preservation and increased use of historic properties and museum collections.