Contact:  Margaret Hambrick  /  Nora Venezky  304-646-2439          304-645-3398

NEWS RELEASE May 28, 2019

Founded    in    1963,    the    Greenbrier    Historical    Society    is    dedicated    to    community    enrichment    through education   and   preservation   of   the   history   and   culture   of   the   Greenbrier   Valley.   The   Greenbrier   Historical Society   is   a   regional   organization   that   serves   the   West   Virginia   counties   of   Greenbrier,   Monroe,   Summers, and Pocahontas.

GHS HOME TOUR WEEKEND EVENTS IN FINAL PLANNING The   many   people   involved   in   planning   all   the   events   for   the   Greenbrier   Historical   Society’s   Home   Tour Weekend   events   are   down   to   last   minute   details.      The   Garden   Party,   being   held   at   the   beautiful   home   of Dr. Kyle and Ann Fort from 6-8 on Friday, June 7, is all organized including a special musical event. Alan   Copenhaver,   a   teacher   and   musician   with   over   35   years   of   experience   in   various   genres   of   music,   will be   providing   the   music.      He   holds   a   degree   in   Instrumental   Music   Education   from   East   Tennessee   State University.      Prior   to   moving   to   Beckley,   he   taught      public   schools   as   a   Band   Director   in   Tennessee   and Virginia   where   he   was   awarded   County   Teacher   of   the   year   in   2004      (Middle   School)   and   again   in   2006   ( High   School   ).   Before   beginning   his   teaching   career,   Alan   worked   as   a   professional   musician   touring   the U.S. with artists including Ava Barber of the Lawrence Welk Show.   He   will   be   playing   a   soft   mix   of   tunes   such   as   "   I   Left   My   Heart   in   San   Francisco   ",      " All   of   Me",   and   "I   Can't Stop   Loving   You"   along   with   soft   country   standards   like   "Blue   Eyes   Crying   in   the   Rain"   and   "Mansion   on the   Hill"   all   done   as   guitar   instrumental   music.      He   may   also   play   some   older   mountain   style   guitar instrumentals   including   "Wildwood   Flower"   and   "Lorena"   creating   an   atmosphere   where   folks   can   mingle and chat comfortably.   The   owners   of   the   homes   on   tour   on   Saturday,   June   8   from   10-4   are   eager   to   welcome   guests   who   will   be inspired   by   landscaping,   decorating   ideas,   beautiful   collections,   and   the   fine   craftsmanship   of   long   ago workers.     All   the   homes   open   at   10   and   guests   can   begin   the   tour   and   purchase   their   tickets   at   any   home.     They   are   all   relatively   close   to   each   other   so   guests   may   take   their   time,   enjoy   lunch   in   one   of   our   fine restaurants, and still see all the homes. Morgan   Bunn   is   working   diligently   on   the   restoration   of   the   grave   stone   of   John   Bowyer   to   have   it   ready   by Sunday,   June   8,   when   it   will   be   highlighted   in   one   of   several   short   dramas   by   Pamela   Barry,   award   winning writer   and   director,   and   performed   by   Larry   Davis,   Lieselotte   Heil,   Kelly   Kemp,   and   Danny   Seams.      The event   will   occur   twice—at   1:30   and   again   at   2:15—and   tickets   are   limited.      Ms.   Bunn   will   also   present information   on   grave   stone   restoration   and   some   of   the   more   unusual   stones/characters   buried   in   the   Old Stone Cemetery.  All   of   the   proceeds   of   the   Home   Tour   Weekend   go   toward   the   operational   expenses   of   the   Greenbrier Historical   Society.      Margaret   Hambrick,   President   of   the   Board   of   the   Greenbrier   Historical   Society,   said, “We   really   appreciate   all   those   who   work   so   hard   make   these   events   come   together.      Board   members   take the   lead   to   plan   an   event   or   “champion”   a   home.      The   owners   of   the   venues   plus   the   writer/director   and actors give huge amounts of time to insure their part is well done.  We thank them all!” For   more   information   and   tickets,   visit   the   Greenbrier   Historical   Society/North   House   Museum   or   their facebook   page,   and    webpage   Tickets   can   purchased   in   person   or   on-line.     Tickets   are   also   available   at   the Greenbrier    Convention    and    Visitors    Bureau.        Tickets    for    the    Garden    Party    and    the    Sunday    in    the Cemeteries events are limited so purchase them soon. PHOTO   CAPTION:     Alan   Copenhaver   is   new   to   our   area   and   will   be   the   featured   musician   at   the   Garden Party at the home of Dr. Kyle and Ann Fort from 6-8 on Friday, June 7.  Tickets are limited.