Skip To Top Navigation Skip To Content Skip To Footer
Awards Impact

Awards

The Folklife Center annually recognizes scholars, educators, practitioners of creative arts, and others whose work shares, sustains, or embodies Appalachian cultural heritage, through the B. B. Maurer Award, Traditions Salute Award, and special awards.

B.B. Maurer WV Folklife Scholar Award

Annually honoring a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the preservation and perpetuation of our Appalachian cultural heritage, this award is named for Dr. B. B. Maurer (1920-2003), considered the “Father of Cultural Studies in West Virginia.”

Recipients

  • 2017 - Marc Harshman, author, WV Poet Laureate
  • 2016 - Marc Harshman, author, WV Poet Laureate
  • 2015 - Dr. Ivan M. Tribe, country music historian
  • 2013 - Maggie Anderson, poet
  • 2012 - Dr. Beth A. Newcome, historic textiles and costume presentation.
  • 2011 - Davitt McAteer, author, Monongah: The Tragic Story of the 1907 Monongah Mine Disaster, the worst industrial accident in US history.
  • 2010 - Kate Long is a media writer, storyteller, freelance broadcast producer,
  • 2009 - Connie Regan-Blake, Storyteller
  • 2008 - Phyllis Baxter, museum/historic preservation specialist
  • 2007 - The West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival
  • 2006 - George and Mariwyn McClain Smith, McClain Printing Company, book masters of West Virginia history and cultural heritage
  • 2005 - Dr. Ken Sullivan, writer, editor, historian, and humanist Executive Director, West Virginia Humanities Council
  • 2004 - Patty Looman, traditional dulcimer musician and educator songwriter, vocalist, a radio commentator, social advocate, youth counselor, researcher, and teacher.
  • 2003 - John H. Randolph, folk arts and cultural preservationist, educator,
  • 2002 - Jean Ritchie, traditional folk singer and musician
  • 2001 - Richard N. (Dick) Schnacke, traditional toy maker
  • 1999 - The Honorable Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia, United States Senator and artist

Traditions Salute Award

An award that has demonstrated a passion and commitment towards the enhancement of West Virginia Folk Culture through education and public resources.

Recipients

  • 2019 - Dave Bing, musician, educator, fiddle-maker
  • 2017 - Bill Stalnaker, educator, musician
  • 2016 - Bill Stalnaker, educator, musician
  • 2015 - Frank George & Elmer Rich, traditional fiddlers
  • 2012 - Greg Bray, blacksmith
  • 2011 - Community of Helvetia, WV
  • 2010 - Fawn Valentine, author and quilter
  • 2009 - The West Virginia Storytelling Guild
  • 2008 - Prickett's Fort Memorial Foundation, museum
  • 2007 - Rosalyn Burnett Queen Alonso, author
  • 2006 - Phyllis Wilson Moore, literary historian
  • 2004 - Charlotte Ann Meade, educator, poet
  • 2002 - Rush & Ruby Butcher, cultural dance specialists
  • 2001 - John H. Randolph, folk arts and cultural preservationist, educator, and artist
  • 1999 - Ken Sullivan, editor/administrator, GoldenSeal, WV Humanities Council
  • 1996 - Dennis Deitz, author
  • 1995 - Kenneth G. Gilbert, Educator, Mountain Trace
  • 1994 - Jerry D. Stover, educator
  • 1993 - Dr. B. B. Maurer, educator, cultural scholar

Achievement Award

A special recognition award in an area of folklore studies.

Recipient

  • 2018 - Phyllis W. Moore, West Virginia literature
  • 2014 - Jayne Anne Phillips,  Literary Achievement Award
  • 2003 - Mary Lee Settle, the literary arts

Nominations for these awards may be made to: The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center at Fairmont State, 1201 Locust Ave., Fairmont, WV 26554