Darlene Bolyard: Executive Director
A native of Arthurdale, Darlene is deeply invested in her community and leaving a lasting legacy. After receiving a BA in International Studies and Economics from West Virginia University and a MBA from Emory University, she had a successful career in brand management for Chattam Consumer Products and the Kellogg Corporation. Darlene then founded Things Gone By, Inc.; an international business specializing in European Antiques and Decorative Arts. She returned to Arthurdale in the late 1990s and joined the board of Arthurdale Heritage. After serving as a passionate volunteer and Board Treasurer, she became Executive Director in 2017. In her free time, Darlene loves to travel, spend time with her family, and raise goats.
Elizabeth Satterfield: Curator and Director of Education
Elizabeth grew up exploring historic sites and natural wonders throughout the Mountain State of West Virginia. These trips instilled a deep love and appreciation in her for the history and people of West Virginia. Elizabeth grew up near Independence just ten miles away from Arthurdale. In college, she pursued a BA in history at West Virginia University, then went on to receive dual Master's in Public History and Public Administration from WVU in 2021. As our Curator and Director of Education, Elizabeth creates new exhibitions, manages and digitizes the archival collection, and expands educational programming. In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys spending time outdoors, working on her family's small farm, and playing with her cats Clarice and Sylvie.
Rachel Harper: Arts Programs and Craft Shop Manager
Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Rachel grew up in Parkersburg and went on to study painting and drawing at Marietta College. During her studies, her father was diagnosed with stage four cancer. She had to come to terms quickly with the possibility of losing one of the most important people in her life suddenly. Thankfully, after a long battle, her father healed and is still with her today. But the stark realization that life can be cut short spurred her to prioritize travel and growth. Rachel has had the great fortune of traveling to many places, studying abroad, and meeting friends around the globe. While living in Los Angeles, she was a Research Assistant in the Hematology and Oncology clinic at UCLA where she felt honored to be a small part of the professional field that impacted her life so much. Her experiences inspired her to further her original arts studies. In 2019, she received her Art History Masters at Ohio University with the goal to work with the public at a museum or gallery. She now enjoys being a member of the Arthurdale community and truly values her connections with colleagues, local artisans and visitors to the AHI Craft Shop, from near and far. In her spare time, she enjoys being with the people and animal friends she loves.
Claire Tryon: Program Assistant
As a child Claire spent a lot of time listening to her grandmother describe what it was like to grow up in Martinsburg, West Virginia during World War II. This sparked a love of history, particularly from a woman's perspective. Eventually, Claire earned a BA in history from Shepherd University–a small liberal arts institution known for the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War and the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education. She is currently expanding her ability to tell stories like her grandmother's by pursuing a Master's in Public History at West Virginia University and developing Arthurdale's digital history projects. In addition to her service at AHI and her current studies, Claire is also an avid reader and baker, other gifts from her grandmother. In the future she would like to pursue a career in academia, and become a professor of history.
Kendyl Bostic: AFNHA AmeriCorps Member
Kendyl has been interested in the world around her since she was young and spent her days wandering the woods near her home and reading books on every subject. Though she grew up near Charleston, West Virginia, she traveled to the University of Arizona for her undergraduate degree where she majored in Global Studies, French, and Arabic. During the isolation of 2020-2021, however, she realized that she wanted to return home to be closer to friends and family. Upon completing her BA, she returned to West Virginia and became an AmeriCorps member with the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area. Living and working in Arthurdale has been a wonderful experience for her so far, as she has been able to learn a great deal about the local history while also teaching art classes and working on community projects. In her spare time, Kendyl enjoys hiking, reading, doing fiber arts projects like weaving and sewing, and spending time with her cat, Hubble. In the future, she hopes to obtain a Master’s degree in Art Education and pursue a career as a museum educator.
Kathleen Thompson: PreserveWV AmeriCorps Member
Shelby
Shelby is the office dog who is very good at greeting people and testing the treats we sell in our craft shop. Keep an eye out for Shelby when you stop by Arthurdale!