New Historical Society Launched to Conserve the New River Gorge Region in West Virginia

New River Gorge, WV — Historians, preservationists, and community advocates have officially established the New River Gorge Historical Society, a new regional organization dedicated to conserving the cultural and historical resources of southern West Virginia.

Unlike traditional historical societies formed along county boundaries, this new organization will focus on the broader New River Gorge region, encompassing communities and historic landscapes across Fayette, Raleigh, and Summers counties.

Organizer Jennings Berry says the society will function as an umbrella for a wide range of preservation efforts—from archiving historical documents to protecting threatened landmarks—and will work to elevate public awareness through events, partnerships, and educational programming.

“Perhaps surprisingly, the gorge is one of the regions that contains much of the forgotten history of our state,” Berry said. “Even the historic sites that we assumed were protected are being threatened with demolition.”

Berry referenced recent proposals to demolish historic structures within the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve due to limited federal funding. Several municipalities have also faced criticism for failing to safeguard National Register landmarks under their stewardship. Beckley’s downtown historic district is currently classified as endangered, and stone walls listed on the National Register were recently demolished in Mount Hope.

With tourism at record levels in West Virginia, Berry says the stakes for preservation are higher than ever.

“Heritage tourism is the largest component of the tourism market, so it’s an economic necessity that we here in West Virginia preserve our historic landscape,” Berry explained.

The New River Gorge Historical Society has already launched its first fundraising project—a Christmas ornament initiative—and is planning a spring ramp dinner as its second major fundraiser.

Membership in the society is free to the public, and tiered funding-level memberships for organizations and individuals are currently being developed.

Berry, a native of Danese, West Virginia, holds a master's degree in science from West Virginia University and is pursuing a Ph.D. in leadership and public administration at the University of the Cumberlands.

Founding Board Members

• Melissa McCune – Council Member, Town of Thurmond
• Keith Lilly – Professor of History, Concord University
• Rev. Brad Davis – Methodist Elder and McDowell County Activist
• David Sibray – Preservation Consultant and Publisher, West Virginia Explorer Magazine

For more information and ongoing updates, visit the New River Gorge Historical Society on Facebook at “New River Gorge Historical Society.”