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Fired WV Archivist Gets Award

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Posted: 7:08 PM Dec 2, 2007
Last Updated: 10:33 PM Dec 6, 2007
Reporter: Bryant Sommerville
Email Address: wsaz.com

6 comments

A | A | A

It seems like giving an award to someone that was just fired doesn't make much sense. But that's exactly what happened Sunday in Putnam County.

Members of the West Virginia Historical Society honored Fred Armstrong with the Virgil A. Lewis award.
Armstrong was the WV archivist director before losing his job last month.

Armstrong says receiving this award is bitter sweet. "I'm humbled as I said...I'm also a little bit embarrassed because I never expected to be as I said the red nose on the reindeer pointing this out."

The historical society is the same group that protested outside the Capitol over Armstrong's dissmisal.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: concerned spectator on Dec 19, 2007 at 06:36 PM
The Archives is not the only part of that Agency which appears to suffer from the incredibly poor stewardship of the current Commissioner. Why the other groups Culture and History serves are not storming the gates is anybody's guess. What an embarrassment he is. One has only to witness a tantrum to understand what a train wreck this is. And what a statement this makes regarding the Governor's lack of judgment or appreciation of what constitutes the professional management of such an Agency. Mr. Armstrong was given that award by individuals who knew the worth of his effort. Perhaps when the Governor is not busy sorting out the state's football woes, he could arrange to meet with professionals in these fields to develop an appreciation for the depth of this travesty.

Posted by: Stephen on Dec 6, 2007 at 04:55 PM
"Loosing" is spelled "losing." Coupled with the other comments, it appears that this article is a rushed placeholder for something more detailed. Let's hope so.

Posted by: Sherry on Dec 6, 2007 at 11:05 AM
WSAZ's reporting on this story is sadly lacking. Working for a Library myself, I learned of this story through American Libraries Direct e-newsletter. I am from West Virginia, though transplanted to Maryland. It has always concerned me that WV does not put much emphasis on funding of their Library system. To have an individual receive an award for their research, then to find that individual fired from his/her research position, to me is a story. In summary, because WSAZ did such a poor job reporting this story, the write-up in the American Libraries Direct was limited. So the state of West Virginia came off looking less than stellar, as well as having a possibly good story, come to a full stop!

Posted by: Gerald on Dec 3, 2007 at 11:20 PM
It was the Mining Your History Foundation that protested outside the Culture Center not the West Virginia Historical Society. There were a number of MYHF members at the presentation ceremony so you may have confused the two organizations. There are numerous historical and geneological societies that are quite upset about Mr. Armstrong's firing and I believe you are going to see sustained outrage by them. Tuesday evening at 5 o'clock there will be another rally at the Capitol and everyone is welcome. Wear your blaze orange if you have it. If you don't come anyways.

Posted by: Kellis on Dec 2, 2007 at 11:15 PM
WSAZ did a very short bit about a very important story. The newsman and camera man were at this meeting for over an hour and Fred Armstrong deserved more than a few seconds. But thanks for covering the presentation. Is there some way that we can get more of the video which was taken? By the way the presentation was made by Dr. Ken Bailey, of the West Virginia Historical Society. There are one hundred and twenty West Virginia organizations that are taking part in the protest to save the West Virginia Archives and History Library.

Posted by: bobsouthern WV on Dec 2, 2007 at 07:38 PM
What did Fred do???? Give him his job back Joe. You know no one in State Govt. does anything w/o Joe saying its so.

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