Friends of Shannondale Springs


FOSS, or The Friends of Shannondale Springs, was born from the idea of Bill Hartgroves, a dedicated and concerned conservationist and citizen, who perceived the need to preserve the historic site of the once world renowned spa and resort. The group was organized in the early 1990's and was comprised of folks with the same ideals as Bill's. The organization was a loose knit crowd of volunteers working with various County and State agencies to put the brakes on the Shannondale Springs(SS) slide into obscurity. To this end the FOSS members toiled to raise the funds( a considerable amount) to stabilize the conditions of the ruins extant on the property, obtain recognition of SS as a National Historic Site by inclusion on the registry of that same name, and to restore the only structure still standing at the site. Foss was assisted by the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission(JCHLC), the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources(DNR), other Federal and State agencies and by private individuals prompted by a love of our County's history. Wowser, what a Herculean task to undertake! In spite of the many obstacles facing FOSS, they succeeded! The resort's impending disappearance from memory was thwarted and the short range goals of FOSS were realized. However(and isn't there always a "However"?), much remains to be done to preserve and maintain the National treasure located right here on the Blue Ridge Mountain in Jefferson County, our backyard! After FOSS' immediate targets were met, interest flagged(as often happens) and the group became inactive. We(Shannondale.org) are reactivating FOSS to continue its work in the interest of SS. To that end we have asked and received the "blessing" of the JCHLC and have been guaranteed the cooperation of the DNR. We are also calling on all the present members of FOSS, who have worked so diligently in the past to reach the level of success that was attained, to join us "new guys" in the effort!!!( After all, you guys did all the REALLY HEAVY lifting!!!) Now We know all this verbiage is reading dry as dust but bear with us for just a little more time.and we can proceed to the good stuff, our slideshow. The following FOSS' MISSION STATEMENT
GOALS: 1) Return the Shannondale Springs(SS) to the condition at the time of its inclusion on the Registry of National Historic Sites. 2) Provide routine maintenance to the historic area of the SS Wildlife Management Area(WMA) and identify landmarks to prevent further degradation. 3) Engender and nurture a renewed and continuing interest in SS thru public education and by soliciting photographs, documentation, memorabilia and anecdotal stories of SS's history. 4) Work with the Department of Natural Resources(DNR) to improve access through the WMA to SS for the elderly and physically challenged. 5) Provide interpretive services on SS's history to interested individuals and groups. 6) Pursue/promote further achievements in archeological and historical studies of SS's past. 7) Provide an ongoing and uninterrupted effort by diversifying and increasing delegation of authority as a means to the above ends. METHODOLOGY: 1) Utilization of the Shannondale.org website as a communication and educational tool. 2) Renewal of the Friends of Shannondale Springs(FOSS) organization. 3) Strive to advance and maintain a cooperative relationship between the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission(JCHLC), DNR, and other governmental and civic entities with an interest in our activities.
Whew, now after all that, wake up and visit FOSS' Shannondale Springs presentation. Take your time. If you're a lover of history and Jefferson County, it's a can't miss proposition- Go For IT! But Wait, There's More(as they say on TV). If you enjoy the show and want to help, Click RIGHT HERE
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