[Judy Patsch]

Since it was another dreary day here on the UMR, I decided to get a ray of sunshine from the Upper Ohio and I phoned Capt. Charles Henry Stone in Point Pleasant. He answered the phone on the second ring and certainly illuminated me with sunshine only he can generate. Those of you who have been privileged to hear him deliver one of his Upper Ohio chapter reports at an S&D meeting know what a highlight his discourse is. Other than his legal blindness, he's doing fine and sounds as chipper as ever. When I mentioned this message board, he said he had just appeared online, but didn't know how to find it. Turns out he was just in Charleston to receive an award as a "History Hero" from the Goldenseal Magazine/West Virginia Division of Culture and History. As he put it, "they just keep giving me awards to add to my obituary!" His sight may have dimmed, but his spirit and wit are as bright as ever. Here is a description of the award from the website, but I couldn't find the picture of the award winners to which he was referring.
"During the past nine years, groups and organizations working on behalf of the preservation and dissemination of West Virginia's history and historical resources have recognized the dedication and labor of their most significant contributor through the annual History Day "History Heroes" awards. History Heroes are individuals who go beyond the call of duty to ensure the success of local history, genealogy, preservation and museum organizations. The contributions of all History Heroes have been recognized during the first eight History Day programs, with most honorees present to receive their award. Their combined work makes a statement most deserving of this statewide public recognition. These recipients have been recognized for their grassroots efforts, years of dedicated behind-the-scenes services, or for a significant contribution such as preserving a site or collection, or publishing a work of family or local history.

Charles Henry Stone was born into a river family and grew up near the confluence of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers. His love for the Ohio River began at a young age, and he began to collect anything he could relating to it. Stone spent his life working on the rivers, and is often featured as a speaker on river history. He has compiled a large collection of river history preserved for the public's use, and has been instrumental in the founding and operation of the Point Pleasant River Museum, the only river museum in West Virginia dedicated solely to preserving the state's rich river history. He also helped compile The History of the Marietta Manufacturing Company.
Nominated by Point Pleasant River Museum "

An honor well-deserved by Capt. Charles Henry, one of our 90+ years young river treasures! Here's a pix of Capt. Charles and his lovely bride Jean, with Capt. Bill Judd approaching him for an important conversation. Taken at S&D 2002. I had wanted to post a pix of the person Capt. Charles and the towboat Capt. Charles in the background at Marietta, but once again my pilefiling system failed me!