Harrison County Voters To Consider New, Unique Levy Aimed At Historical Preservation

In November, Harrison County voters will consider a proposed levy that would provide dedicated support for 13 historical preservation organizations throughout the county.   

Local historian and preservationist Peter Taylor said the groups came together to form the Historic Preservation Alliance of Harrison County after recognizing the county’s unique density of historic sites.  

“People were amazed when we started listing all of the museums, the organizations, the roundtables, all of the different things here in town that involve trying to maintain the history and heritage of Harrison County,” he said. “So it was when we got together, we decided that you know maybe we need to cooperate instead of being an individual organization out there.” 

Taylor said each group in the alliance is still individually maintained by their particular organization but now collaborate “to try to assist each other in maintaining the history and the heritage of our county.” 

The levy, as outlined on the Harrison County sample ballot available on the Secretary of State’s website, would fund the alliance via the Harrison County Commission for four years: $100,000 in fiscal year (FY) 2027/2028, $103,000 in FY 2028/2029, $106,090 in FY 2029/2030 and $109,272 in FY 2030/2031. 

Examples of authorized uses of levy funds listed on the ballot include repairs, promotion of tourism and historical preservation, and matching funds to obtain federal funds or other available funds. 

Taylor said the alliance sought out a levy because of how difficult it is to obtain funds for historical operations. 

“Yet historical operations are extremely beneficial to the tax base of the county,” he said. “When you think about the different organizations that come here to visit, and the people that just come here to visit the museum, or that come here just are looking for something to do, these historical sites are a major draw.” 

Taylor said he wants taxpayers to understand the importance of historic preservation and have them decide whether or not it is something that they’re willing to provide. 

“We don’t want this to be something that is, ‘Oh yeah, by the way, the county commission is going to give these different organizations money, like it or not.’ We want this to be purely a vote of the people,” Taylor said. “I think that’s very important today. The fact that that’s what democracy is all about. “ 

Taylor believes that if approved by voters, the levy would be the first of its kind in West Virginia to support historic preservation at multiple sites in one county.