Times West Virginian January 8, 2006 A Time to Remember Locals Start First Founders’ Month By Jennifer Roush - Times West Virginian You may not know it yet, but January is a big month for Fairmont. And Dora K. Grubb, president of the Marion County Historical Society, and JoAnn Lough, chairman of the Fairmont Historic Landmarks Commission, are set to let you know why. The two are behind the first Fairmont Founders’ Month for January that’s currently in full swing, and they were even surprised at just how fitting it all is. The significance lies in four key dates: Boaz Fleming, the founder of Middletown, Va., now Fairmont, was born Jan. 3, 1758; Francis H. Pierpont, the “Father of West Virginia,” was born Jan. 25, 1814; Middletown, Va., was established Jan. 19, 1820; and Marion County was established in Jan. 14, 1842. “January is a fantastic month for Marion County. Marion County was created in January,” said Lough. “Boaz Fleming was created in January, and so was Francis Pierpont. They were both born in January. I think we ought to have a big party. “It’s so exciting that all these things happened for Marion County and this area in January and these people were so important. So many communities have founders’ day balls. They have founders’ day parties. They celebrate the founding of their county. They celebrate the birthday. Fairmont, Marion County used to celebrate Pierpont. ... They had big celebrations. ... They celebrated the man because he’s considered the father of West Virginia.” Most people do not know that Pierpont lived in Fairmont and is buried here next to his wife in Woodlawn Cemetery. He was elected the Governor of Restored Virginia June 20, 1861. Boaz Fleming is buried in the same cemetery as the Pierponts. The earliest picture we have associated with Fleming is his daughter Clarissee as an older woman. A state marker of Fleming sits on the lawn of the Marion County Historical Society Museum. Fairmont has three districts, downtown, Watson-Fleming and the cemeteries, placed on the national register of historic places, Lough said. Also, inside the museum is Fairmont’s first post office, which is a large desk that was inside a home. Lough and Grubb wonder why Fairmont is not on the Civil War trail, as many Union and Confederate soldiers are buried in Fairmont. Grubb thinks much of it has to do with presenting what there is to offer in Fairmont. “Bottom line — we need to promote tourism,” Grubb said. Lough and Grubb want to bring an excitement for the area back to the community. Fairmont Mayor Nick Fantasia think the Founders’ Month is a good way to remember our heritage and is a great benefit to our community. “Anytime you can get more people in tune to the history of our community it’s a great opportunity to stimulate interest in Fairmont,” Fantasia said. “Fairmont has a very successful past and that gives everyone an opportunity to look forward to the things to come.” Oce Smith, sergeant-at-arms for the West Virginia House of Delegates and an observer of state politics and history, said the Founders’ Month will promote the whole of Fairmont and what makes it what it is. “I believe it is something honorable and something we could well use — something to instill the history of our founders in Fairmont. And I’d think this would do it,” Smith said. The events for the month include: 10-2 p.m. Jan. 14 — the museum will have a speaker; and 10-2 p.m. Jan. 21 — there will be an open house at the museum featuring a founders’ display, 19th-century music, period cookies, cakes and drinks and a re-enacted Julia Pierpont as the hostess. The museum will keep the display up and can be viewed during museum hours. “We’re trying to make a tradition to have an event for people to come to,” Lough said. “... This is our town and we need to know about its beginnings and how it got started.” For more information, call the Marion County Historical Society Museum on Adams Street in downtown Fairmont at 367-5398. E-mail Jennifer Roush at jroush@timeswv.com