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

NEWS RELEASE October 15, 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.

THE BLUE RECEIVES LEGENDS AND LORE MARKER Thanks   to   a   grant   from   the   William   G.   Pomeroy   Foundation®   in   partnership   with   the   West   Virginia Humanities    Council’s    Folklife    Program    and    installation    by    “Friends    of    the    Blue”    committee    member, Raymond   Tuckwiller,   a   new   roadside   marker   commemorating   the   legendary   Blue   Sulphur   Springs   Resort and Pavilion will be dedicated on Wednesday, October 23, at 1:00 p.m.  While   the   existing   pavilion   is   the   only   memory   that   local   folks   have   of   the   once   flourishing   resort,   its   legend lives   on.      Presidents,   Department   Secretaries,   and   hosts   of   other   dignitaries   made   the   rounds   of   the “springs   of   Virginia”   during   the   heat   of   summer   before   air   conditioning.      The   cool   breezes   of   the   mountain air   provided   a   respite   from   the   heat   and   disease   of   eastern   and   southern   cities.   The   Blue   was   a   favorite for   the   healing   reputation   of   its   waters   as   well   as   the   comfort   of   its   furnishings   and   the   splendor   of   its   table.     The   pavilion   and   two   acres   were   donated   to   the   Greenbrier   Historical   Society   by   Mrs.   Rebecca   Lineberry to insure its preservation. The   Greenbrier   Historical   Society   applied   for   a   grant   from   the   Pomeroy   Foundation   via   the   West   Virginia Humanities   Council’s   Folklife   Program   several   months   ago.      The   Pomeroy   Foundation   is   a   grant-making foundation   based   in   Syracuse,   N.Y.   One   of   its   initiatives   is   helping   communities   celebrate   their   history. Since   2006,   the   Foundation   has   funded   over   900   roadside   markers   and   plaques   in   multiple   states.   Grants cover   the   cost   of   a   marker,   pole,   and   shipping.   Visit:   www.wgpfoundation.org    for   more   information.   The West   Virginia   Folklife   Program   at   the   West   Virginia   Humanities   Council   is   supported   in   part   by   the   National Endowment   for   the Arts   (NEA),   and   is   dedicated   to   the   documentation,   preservation,   and   support   of   West Virginia’s vibrant cultural heritage and living traditions. The   Pomeroy   Foundation   worked   in   close   partnership   with   the   Humanities   Council   to   make   these   grants available   through   the   foundation’s   Legends   &   Lore®   Marker   Grant   Program.   The   Blue   Sulphur   Spring Pavilion marker is the second from the Legends & Lore program to be installed in West Virginia. The   Greenbrier   Historical   Society   and   the   Friends   of   the   Blue   committee   have   worked   hard   to   restore   the pavilion.      In   the   Greek   style   and   standing   majestically   in   a   field   surrounded   by   mountains,   the   pavilion   is still   a   striking   feature   of   the   landscape.      While   much   work   has   been   done,   much   remains   and   the   site   is not open to the public.  GHS   Board   President   Margaret   Hambrick   said,   “One   of   the   reasons   this   marker   is   important   to   us   is   that   it will   help   explain   the   presence   of   this   beautiful   structure   and,   hopefully,   generate   support   for   its   full restoration.      Please   join   us   for   this   dedication   ceremony.      We   are   so   appreciative   of   the   Pomeroy Foundation for the funding for this sign.”  The Blue Sulphur Springs Pavilion is located at 8010 Blue Sulphur Springs Road, Alderson, WV   24910. PHOTO   CAPTION:      The   Blue   Sulphur   Springs   Pavilion,   under   restoration,   is   all   that   is   left   of   the   once thriving Blue Sulphur Springs Resort. (Click for larger view)