Grant Proposal - Gilchrist

My grant proposal is different from the what the most of the class is doing.  I have prepared a grant request for an annual grant from the Appalahcian Regional Commission that funds student research into developing a model economic sustainability within an Appalachian Community.  The Frank & Jane Gabor WV Folklife Center at FSU has participated in the program for a number of years.  In 2013 we will be undertaking the research and development of heritage tourism model that is dependent upon the use of technology in the form of crowdsourcing and wayfinding.  In laymans term, we will be trying to drive traffic off I79 and into the Fairmont area to visit targeted locations with a significent coal history.  We will be doing this through the utilization of social media sites such as Yelp, TripAdvisor, Pinterest, Picasa, etc.  The budget figures I have used are fictional and are a best guess at this point and reflect no real or actual amounts.  Other components of the grant are in development and have not yet been approved for final submission.

GRANT

The Appalachian Teaching Project 2013

 

Coal and It’s Story:  Development of a 21^st Century Coal Community

Can the development of a Northern West Virginia Coal Heritage Trail provide economic stimulus within communities in North Central West Virginia by utilizing 21^st Century technologies to boost heritage tourism?

 

The Frank and Jane Gabor WV Folklife Center

on the campus of  Fairmont State University

and Pierpont Community and Technical College

 

Sandra Shriver

Sponsored Programs Administrator

Office of Sponsored Grants Accounting

Fairmont State University

1201 Locust Ave.

Fairmont, WV 26554

sandra.shriver@fairmontstate.edu

304.367.4684

 

 

(ATP project date)

________ 2013 – June 30, 2014

 (Date this document was submitted)

June 2013

 

Dr. Judy P. Byers

Abelina Suarez Professor, Senior Level,

Professor of English and Folklore Studies, Director

 

Noel W. Tenney

Cultural Specialist and Museum Studies Coordinator

Frank & Jane Gabor WV Folklife Center

Fairmont State University

1201 Locust Avenue

Fairmont, WV 26554

 

 

304-367-4403/304-367-4286

jbyers@fairmontstate.edu     ntenney@fairmontstate.edu

 

ATP Project Outline

Background:

            North Central WV has played a historically significant role in coal production in Northern Appalachia.  By 1900, the Fairmont Coal Field encompassed more than 23,000 acres and a plethora of company owned mining communities.  While there are similarities to the southern coal fields in the use of an immigrant labor force and the structure of company housing and communities, it is also very different in other respects.  The region has not only generated the coal, but has also been home to several industries that relied heavily upon coal such as power generation and glassware production. 

            Coal remains an integral part of the community which is seen in place names, photographs, and the memories of the people.  Community organizations, such as the Northern Appalachian Coal Mining Heritage Association and the Marion County Historical Society are aggressively working towards preserving the history of coal in the region.

            The construction of the Rivesville Power plant was begun in 1907 and within 5 years was fully operational.  At various points in its history the plant was a national leader in power production, home to innovative technology, and was once the largest coal powered electrical plant in the country.  The plant was finally closed in October of 2013.  At that time the Marion County Historical Society acquired thousands of photographs of the plant and its employees covering its 100 years of production.  The availability of a dependable electrical supply was a key factor in industrial growth in Marion County early in the 20^th Century.

            Marion County was home to the Monongah Glass Company from 1903 to 1928.  During that time Monongah Glass was one of the largest glass producers in the world.  Glass production remained in the area after 1928 under the Hocking Glass Company name.  Various patterns of Monongah Glass are considered highly collectible and are much sought after.   While coal was not used directly in the production process, the plant was dependent upon the generation of power at the Rivesville Power Plant.

            Westinghouse Electric manufactured                          at its facility for more than 70 years.  Their business model was heavily dependent upon the availability of a steady and sufficient power supply. 

    

 

Project Description:

Community Partner and Central Focus of the Research Project:

            FSU students will be partnering with the Northern Appalachian Coal Mining Heritage Association, the Marion County Historical Society, and the Marion County Convention and Visitors Bureau

 

Course Number, Name, and Instructor:

EDUC 6818 – Education Practicum

Practicum Supervisor – Dr. Judy P. Byers

FOLK 4400 – Directed Folklore Studies

Instructors – Dr. Judy P. Byers & Mr. Noel W. Tenney

Project Goals/Objectives:

Activities that meet the goals/objectives:

During the Fall, 2013 course (Educ 6818, Education Practicum and Folk 4400, Directed Folklore Studies), students will conduct research through the above mentioned community heritage development projects and will develop a model that includes the implementation of crowdsourcing, wayfinding, and other social media  for the promotion of heritage tourism activities and sites.

Project Outcomes:

   Students will:

·         Prepare and conduct surveys, interviews, and testimonies through oral history gatherings in North Central West Virginia.

·         Research and develop suggestions to be submitted to the Northern Appalachian Coal Mining Heritage Association, the Marion County Historical Society and the Marion County Convention and Visitors Bureau regarding development of crowdsourcing.

         ·        Conduct research into the development of a cohesive crowdsourcing plan for Marion County, WV.

·         Complete a review of the literature and prepare an annotated bibliography of materials accessed.

·         Use a multi-media approach to present suggestions to members of the Marion County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

·         Present their compiled project and  poster to the Appalachian Teaching Project through the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Conference in Washington D.C. in December 2013.

·         Present a poster session at the annual Appalachian Studies Association Conference at Marshall University in Huntington, WV in March of 2014.

·         Present the research outcomes at the Celebration of Undergraduate Research at Fairmont State University in April 2014.

 

GRANT BUDGET

 

Expenditure	Grant Funding	In-Kind
Table Top Display – Layout, design, printing, and associated materials fees	$    100.00	$    400.00
Hardware Purchase – Nexus 10 with cover.	$    450.00
Staff Support – mailings, communication, etc.		1200.00
Staff Time – Faculty Directors		3600.00
Travel Expense – van rental for Dec. 4-9, 2013	$    400.00
Travel Expense – gas	$    175.00
Travel Expense – Hotel Dec. 4-9, 2013  (3 rooms at the Crystal City Marriott, for 2 nights)	$  2250.00
Travel Expense – Meals for 7	$    375.00
Entertainment – (to be determined) Dec. 2013	$    250.00