Pictured (from left to right) Archives and History Commission Chairman Robert Conte, History Hero Rebecca Ferrebee, Secretary of Education and the Arts Kay Goodwin, and Delegate William R. Romine (R-Tyler).

Local teacher and volunteer Rebecca Ferrebee has been recognized as a History Hero by the State of West Virginia for her work with the Tyler County Museum.

Ferrebee was nominated by the Tyler County Heritage and Historical Society for the award. Since 2005, Ferrebee has been secretary of the Tyler County Heritage and Historical Society, and, in 2007, she became treasurer as well.

“I just think there are a lot more people who do more work than I do,” commented Ferrebee. “There is a lot more that goes on there that people deserve credit for than me.”

Ferrebee has worked for the museum, running off tapes and videos for sale and establishing a Web site, which she updates. She also headed up the centennial celebration of the former high school building that houses the museum. Ferrebee prints, provides articles and does pictures for the newsletter. She also volunteers as a computer specialist in the Genealogy Room. In addition, she has been chairman of the Christmas tree sale and helped with other moneymaking activities.

“My thing is I spend a lot of time on the computer working on the addresses, working on the newsletter,” explained Ferrebee. “I’m trying to develop a Web site. My forte is really the technical end of it.”

History enthusiasts gathered on Thursday, March 5, in the Norman L. Fagan West Virginia State Theater of the Cultural Center for the awards ceremony. Secretary of Education and the Arts Kay Goodwin was assisted by Dr. Robert S. Conte, chairman, and Dr. Charles Ledbetter, vice chairman of the West Virginia Archives and History Commission, in presenting History Hero awards to Ferrebee and 42 other individuals from around the state for their grassroots-level contributions to the preservation, promotion and perpetuation of the state’s history. City, county and state historical, preservation and genealogical groups and museums provided nominations for the awards.

“The experience was a neat experience because I got to learn a lot about other places in West Virginia on History Heroes Day,” remarked Ferrebee. “All those people had exhibits set up for other places that wanted to promote their museums, their history, and their homes. For me it was a learning experience because I learned about some things I didn’t know existed in West Virginia.”

The 13th History Day was a joint effort of the West Virginia Archives and History Commission, Mining Your History Foundation, West Virginia Historical Society, West Virginia Humanities Council, West Virginia Division of Culture and History, Friends of West Virginia Culture and History, Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, Inc., and West Virginia Association of Museums.

Ferrebee is proud to be nominated, but she would like to see more people volunteer their time with the museum. “We need more people to get involved,” said Ferrebee. “If somebody wants to be a history hero, come and get involved in the museum, that’s what it takes. We need lots of people to be involved in those ventures or they’re not going to be here, that’s what scares me.”

Next year’s History Heroes event is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010. For more information about History Day call (304) 558-0230, ext. 165.