board of hancock County Commissioners and advisors
Hancock County Museum Board: Preserving Our Local History and Heritage
Amy Franey-Cunningham
President
Amy is a business owner, professional writer, and lover of all things home and garden. With a passion for history and storytelling, she enjoys breathing new life into the exhibits.
Her graphic design skills have been put to work for the museum. She creates social engagements, updates the website, and designs flyers and invitations to attract more history lovers into the museum.
She can be reached at 412-589-8602, if you are interested in holding a small gathering or lecture at the museum.
Pamela Riggi
Vice President
Pamela coordinates the Museum's image and corresponds with local and state officials to secure funding for the museum. The museum relies on her input on choosing displays, items for auction and coordinates transportation for local parades.
Marcus Trelaine
Treasurer
Marcus brings executive level leadership to the Hancock County Museum with a repertoire of skills including polished entrepreneurial visioning, strategic positioning, financial management, concept marketing and business development. Focusing on performance outcomes in concert with historical program development, he works to promote the economic well-being of the community in concert with fiscal responsibility for the museum.
Kathy Beagle
Secretary
Kathy serves as the museum's secretary by taking down official meeting minutes and signing important documents for the museum. She has been instrumental in coordinating the Riverfest Festival, Memorial Day Parade and decorates the museum for Christmas.
John Speerhas
Board Member and Historian
John serves as the docent and historian of the museum. He has traveled throughout the Ohio Valley visiting historic sites and has developed extensive knowledge of the region's history. In addition to sharing his knowledge with visitors, John coordinates the arrival of incoming artifacts and overseas the general building upkeep.
Joe Ghenne
Board Member
Holly Price-Jancart
Spokeswoman and Community Outreach
Holly leads the museum's community outreach, working with local businesses to secure funding, sponsorships and affordable vendors while promoting awareness of the museum and history. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Bethany College and serves as the museum's official spokesperson. Her professional experience as a disc jockey, dance fitness instructor, and actress has played a part in being chosen for this role.
Mary Lou Yeater
Community Outreach and Event Liason
Join our Team
The Hancock County Museum actively welcomes residents from the surrounding communities to join the Board as a Commissioner, Advisor, or Associate. Please write: office@hancockcountymuseum.org or call 304.564.4800 for more information.
Requirements and Positions
Commissioners, Advisors and Associates
Open to any individual (18 years of age or older); a business, partnership, corporation, institution or organization; or any person or party who has a genuine and/or vested interest in the legacy, preservation and presentation of information concerning the historical heritage of the Appalachian Plateau. There is no fee or annual dues payable for any membership class.
Commissioners are appointed by the Hancock County Commission by recommendation of the museum board. Commissioners are tasked with the legal and governing responsibility of the organization and therefore hold the right to vote on any issue presented to the Board. Only officers are elected from the body of appointed commissioners.
Advisors assist the Board, usually acting as an external partner, providing with high-level strategic advice, fiduciary oversight, and other specialized expertise necessary to help the museum achieve its mission. While input is strongly solicited, Advisors do not hold voting privileges to avoid legal duties potential for conflict of interest.
Associate members are welcome to attend Board meetings, but typically support smaller, organizational grassroots projects and often participate in collaborative events (i.e. parades, festivals, special events), or administrative functions, and networking opportunities.
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We got it.
Letter from the President
As I walked into the museum in 2017, I was blown away. Walking through the front door was like walking back in time to a glitz era of high fashion and stunning architecture. Every room a new experience.
The First Story - The Marshall family with over 130 years of accomplishments, love and a mixture of deep tragedy. Hearing the creaks in the floor, touching the spindles of the beautifully constructed staircase, and listening as though a crackling fire on a cold night would magically warm my heart, I felt what was always here. Love.
As I traveled up the stairwell to the second story, pardon the pun, emerged.
The Second Story - Hancock County, West Virginia's story. A collection of treasures and memories of the people who made a life here.
The Goal.
As President, I am tasked with the direction of the museum. Making the museum attractive to unofficial historians, lovers of fine things and filling the walls with love and laughter as though Mr. Marshall himself, were to walk in the front door, set down to a fine meal and enjoy a life only Hancock County could provide.
It is a privilege and an honor to collect and tell the stories of this fine place.
Why? Because I moved here... On Purpose.
