NEW: Received $100,000 Phase 2 Cultural Facilities Grant
for Exterior, Structure, and start on Interior work on the Mill.

Matching funds are needed to complete this project! (See: HELP)

Help Block

C-Hope is always looking for support of every kind, from contributions of money, to material donations, and especially personal time and energy for ongoing projects.
To learn more about helping us out, see HERE.

What does C-HOPE Want To Achieve?

 

Citizens for Historical Opportunity, Preservation and Education in Randolph County is a grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to furthering historic preservation, heritage education, community development, and heritage tourism in Randolph County.

Our goals include:

Ø      Acting positively to identify, save and restore our unique historic buildings, seeking to work with forward-thinking plans instead of “crisis mode” reaction.

Ø      Promoting improved public awareness of and information about our unique heritage and culture.

Ø      Supporting heritage projects around the county, and networking with and supporting other organizations with compatible purposes.

Ø      Supporting and working with the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area, and being active in the development of the AFHA Elkins area pilot community projects.

Ø      Saving and rehabilitating the Elkins Mill building, and creating a multi-purpose heritage center in the Mill building as a complement to the Elkins Railyard project and heritage tourism development

 

Initial Projects and Accomplishments of C-HOPE:


 Citizens for Historical Opportunity, Preservation and Education in Randolph County is very descriptive of our actions which include:

• Working to save and restore the Elkins / Darden Mill building:
• Received a $38,366 grant from the WV Division of Culture, State Historic Preservation Office to provide matching funds to replace the roof and windows
• Received a $72,620 grant from the WV Division of Culture & History for continuation of the roof & windows project and other exterior renovations.
• Nominated the Darden/Elkins Mill which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
• Replaced the roof on the old Elkins/Darden Mill. The new roof will help protect the building for years to come while we work on the rest of it.
• Restored / replaced the wooden windows in the Mill building. Much of this work was done with the assistance of Mountain Partners in Community Development Preservation Trades Program and with the dedicated help of many C-HOPE volunteers. Volunteer time documented for our grant match was almost $9000.
• Raised all of the matching funds required for the first two grants!
• Strengthened our organization:
• Presented displays on Randolph industrial heritage at Ramp Festival, Augusta Festival, and Forest Festival. Raised over $1,000 at the Ramp Festival (mmm…Ramp egg rolls!) and raised $750 at the Augusta Festival.
• Received 501(c)3 status.
• Helped raise awareness of other historical issues in the community:
• Assisted with grant application for Wees Addition historic district
• Initiated issue of seeking adaptive reuse for First Ward School
• Represented Randolph County heritage with the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area, and assisted with the Resilient Forest exhibit at the Elkins Depot.

All of this has been made possible by your donations and efforts and we thank you very much.
The renovation of the mill continues as we plan displays that will benefit our community and its visitors by telling the story of our region. The Elkins Mill / Darden Mill is one of only two original buildings that still exist on the Elkins Railyard. The Mill is being rehabilitated to house traditional artisans’ working studios as well as a Discovery Center for the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area, including displays about the Mill and our industrial heritage.
C-HOPE is not just about the old mill. We are preserving the rich heritage in our area -- and we hope you will join us! The grants we received are wonderful but they need matching funds from you. Please show you care about your heritage by making a generous donation to C-HOPE today.