By Lindsey Funk
For The West Virginia Department of Tourism
Charleston – The West Virginia Department of Tourism proudly recognizes this year’s recipients of the prestigious History Heroes Awards, honoring individuals whose dedication, leadership, and service have made a lasting impact on the preservation and promotion of local history.
“Museums and historical societies across the state depend on the efforts of volunteers to steward their important collections and share our history with the next generation,” said West Virginia Department of Tourism Deputy Secretary Ennis Smith. “These awards are one way we can help recognize the tremendous amount of time and talents that volunteers at these organizations contribute every day.”
The History Heroes Awards celebrate individuals who go beyond the call of duty to ensure the success of local history, genealogy, preservation, and museum organizations. Recipients are recognized for years of dedicated behind-the-scenes service or for significant contributions that help preserve and share history for future generations.
The 2026 History Hero Award recipients are:
- Robert Ayersman II — Preston County
- Donna Bertazzoni — Jefferson County
- Tina Conner — Marshall County
- Janice Cooley — Greenbrier County
- Dorothy “Bibbee” Enoch — Wood County
- Wayne Farley — Ohio County
- William “Bill” Graley — Kanawha County
- Debbie Griffin — Ohio County
- Fred Harmon — Wood County
- Terry Lowry — Kanawha County
- Ruth Ellen D. Ferry Mooney — Statewide
- Barbara Norton and J. Brown Norton — Morgan County
- Earl Parsons and Zach Parsons — Tyler County
- Mary Ellen Reid — Wayne County
- Peter Smith — Jefferson County
- George S. Swann — Cabell County
- Betsy Sweeny — Statewide
- Mary West — Preston County
- Melanie Wray — Cabell County
- Bonnie Young — Summers County
For a complete list of winner biographies and photos, click here.
Follow West Virginia Arts and Heritage on social media, and be on the lookout for the call for nominations in the Fall to nominate a History Hero in your community.
