It’s been a busy summer here in Arthurdale! And we are so thankful to each and every one of our volunteers who lead tours, run our Craft Shop, lend a hand at special events and festivals, and keep our beautiful historic site running! We’d specifically like to highlight our Volunteers of the Month from this summer: Kim Riley, Matt Smith, and Treasure Barberich-Wyckoff.
Kim Riley was our volunteer of the month for June. Kim is a homesteader descendant from the Bjorkman family and has served at Arthurdale Heritage tirelessly for years. Kim says, “Growing up in Arthurdale, I have so many memories including great neighbors and friends. I feel it is important for me to volunteer and “give back” to a special place that gave me so much. My mom, at 96, still lives in our family home today. It gives me a lot of pride to have had the privilege to grow up in Arthurdale and now volunteer here.”
In July, Matt Smith was a tremendous help before, during, and after the New Deal Festival. Matt is always willing to lend a hand with any task, from painting to cleaning out gutters to setting up for an event. When his son Jake was very young, someone asked him what his dad did. He said “He fixes stuff!” We’re so thankful when Matt fixes “stuff” for us!
Treasure Barberich-Wyckoff was our August VOM and is a graduate student in WVU’s Public History program. She has been serving as our summer intern this year. Treasure says, “This is my third summer volunteering here at Arthurdale and it has been such a rewarding experience! West Virginia too often gets reduced to stereotypes and caricatures of itself by folks who don’t really know much about the state or her people. So, the opportunity to share a part of our state’s history with fellow West Virginians and those from outside our state lines has been so special. I also wouldn’t be pursuing an MA in Public History if it weren’t for my time here giving tours, working the craft shop, and aiding in the archives. I consider it such a privilege to work with and learn from this group of dedicated, talented, and thoughtful people who help make Arthurdale so wonderful.”
