Friend of Heritage Award
Friend of Heritage Award
Dating back to 2003, the Friend of Heritage Award was conceived as a way to acknowledge the efforts of local agencies, associations, and individuals who are enhancing the future of Wheeling while respecting our heritage. The award is given out periodically, and recipients are gifted a locally made piece of art that is representative of their contributions to Wheeling.
Past Recipients
Jeanne Finstein | 2024
Recognized for her dedicated work in preserving and sharing the history of Wheeling. Her involvement with organizations like Friends of Wheeling and Wheeling Heritage has included researching and conducting tours of historic structures and cemeteries, as well as the rehabilitation of several historic buildings in Wheeling.
Hydie Friend | 2016
Recognized for her numerous contributions to the enhancement and preservation of Wheeling through her work with Wheeling Heritage and the City of Wheeling. This includes her involvement with the preservation of the Capitol Theatre, the construction of Heritage Port, and the many projects that have received funding from historic tax credits with her help.
Ross Felton | 2015
Recognized for his involvement in the creation of the Festival of Lights, the development of the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau, and his contributions as a Wheeling Heritage board member. Photo by Friends of Wheeling.
Betty "Snookie" Nutting | 2011
Recognized for her work in preserving numerous historic homes throughout Wheeling, as well as her work with Beverly Fluty in preserving the Wheeling Suspension Bridge. Photo by Friends of Wheeling.
Judge Frederick P. Stamp Jr. | 2004
Recognized for his efforts to revitalize downtown and his leadership in the construction of the U.S. Courthouse Annex at the Federal Building. Photo from the Wheeling News-Register.
Randall Reid-Smith | 2019
Recognized for his leadership at the Department of Arts, Culture, and History. He has shown a determination to improve the quality of life across the state, and over the years has stayed committed to investing in Wheeling through projects like West Virginia Independence Hall.
Linda Comins | 2014
Recognized for her work writing for the Intelligencer and the Wheeling News-Register since 1977 and her involvement with the WV Independence Hall Foundation. Photo by Joanne Sullivan.
Beverly Fluty | 2008
Recognized for her far-reaching preservation advocacy and her tireless work in preserving the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, WV Independence Hall, the Centre Market Houses, and numerous historic structures in and around Wheeling. Photo courtesy of WV Independence Hall.
The Maxwell Partners | 2006
A development group consisting of McKinley & Associates, Inc.; Bodkin Wilson & Kozicki, PLLC; Schrader Byrd & Companion, PLLC.; and Hartley, O’Brien, Parsons, Thomson & Hill. Recognized for the rehabilitation of the former YMCA into the Maxwell Centre, the restoration of the Wagner Building, and the economic impact that was created by these investments.
Lisa Zukoff | 2003
Recognized for her work with the Wheeling Housing Authority and the North Wheeling development project known as HOPE VI. Photo from The Intelligencer.
Past Recipients
Jeanne Finstein | 2024
Recognized for her dedicated work in preserving and sharing the history of Wheeling. Her involvement with organizations like Friends of Wheeling and Wheeling Heritage has included researching and conducting tours of historic structures and cemeteries, as well as the rehabilitation of several historic buildings in Wheeling.
Randall Reid-Smith | 2019
Recognized for his leadership at the Department of Arts, Culture, and History. He has shown a determination to improve the quality of life across the state, and over the years has stayed committed to investing in Wheeling through projects like West Virginia Independence Hall.
Hydie Friend | 2016
Recognized for her numerous contributions to the enhancement and preservation of Wheeling through her work with Wheeling Heritage and the City of Wheeling. This includes her involvement with the preservation of the Capitol Theatre, the construction of Heritage Port, and the many projects that have received funding from historic tax credits with her help.
Ross Felton | 2015
Recognized for his involvement in the creation of the Festival of Lights, the development of the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau, and his contributions as a Wheeling Heritage board member. Photo by Friends of Wheeling.
Linda Comins | 2014
Recognized for her work writing for the Intelligencer and the Wheeling News-Register since 1977 and her involvement with the WV Independence Hall Foundation. Photo by Joanne Sullivan.
Betty "Snookie" Nutting | 2011
Recognized for her work in preserving numerous historic homes throughout Wheeling, as well as her work with Beverly Fluty in preserving the Wheeling Suspension Bridge. Photo by Friends of Wheeling.
Beverly Fluty | 2008
Recognized for her far-reaching preservation advocacy and her tireless work in preserving the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, WV Independence Hall, the Centre Market Houses, and numerous historic structures in and around Wheeling. Photo courtesy of WV Independence Hall.
The Maxwell Partners | 2006
A development group consisting of McKinley & Associates, Inc.; Bodkin Wilson & Kozicki, PLLC; Schrader Byrd & Companion, PLLC.; and Hartley, O’Brien, Parsons, Thomson & Hill. Recognized for the rehabilitation of the former YMCA into the Maxwell Centre, the restoration of the Wagner Building, and the economic impact that was created by these investments.
Judge Frederick P. Stamp Jr. | 2004
Recognized for his efforts to revitalize downtown and his leadership in the construction of the U.S. Courthouse Annex at the Federal Building. Photo from the Wheeling News-Register.
Lisa Zukoff | 2003
Recognized for her work with the Wheeling Housing Authority and the North Wheeling development project known as HOPE VI. Photo from The Intelligencer.