Some historical items have been returned to Wirt County.
Waneta Thorn Lawrence, of Salem, Virginia has donated several items originally from Wirt County to the Daughters of American Pioneers for the Beauchamp-Newman Museum.
Waneta is a descendant of Alfred Somerville. Alfred was born in 1884, son of Jonathan and Margaret Ott Somerville, grandson of Samuel and Susanna Sheppard Somerville.
Alfred's son, Jonathan Brinton Somerville, married Fidella Burton. They lived on the Big Run of Somerville Fork and later in Palestine.
Waneta is the only child of Jonathan's daughter, Nella Elizabeth, who married Enoch Rector Thorn. Waneta Thorn was born in 1924 and married Ralph Lawrence in 1943. They are the parents of two children, Peggy and Ted Thorn.
Among the items received from Waneta were two lovely oval pictures of two girls with a dog and a lady with her horse that belonged to Nella Somerville Thorn.
A "banjo" clock that was purchased by Enoch R. Thorn for his mother, Eva Enoch Thorn, at a "second hand" stored in Palestine during World War II for $1.
Dishes given to Della Burton Somerville for her wedding in 1898.
A large round baking dish, that was given as a premium with the first Montgomery Wards refrigerator, purchased by Enoch and Nella Thorn in 1939.
Enoch Thorn's 1916 perfect attendance certificate from Thorn's Run School along with pictures of Thorn's Run School students.
Alfred and Pearl Pickrell Somerville's picture album (1925-1977) and two dresser sets, several figurines and vases that belonged to Nella Thorn.
Of special interest is Panama Silverware used by William (Bill) and Eva Enoch Thorn when they operated a hotel named the Blennerhassett at Palestine, WV around 1886.
The hotel building over the years served as a post office, store, and J. O. U. A. M. Lodge.
Among personal items donated by Waneta were her gym suit worn 1937-1941 and an apron she made in sewing class in 1937.
Other recent contributions to the museum include two beautiful Aladdin lamps and a metal churn donated by Bennie and Ann Moss, a framed picture of early Elizabeth and a Little Kanawha Railroad Stock Certificate donated by Mark A. Bailey, the "Message in a Bottle" found by Paul Hancock in a cinder block after the recent Elizabeth Quick Cash fire.
A Royal Typewriter owned by Mamie Seaton Cheatam, who was born in 1897 and taught for many years in Wirt County Schools, donated by the Ruble family.
An operator desk from the telephone switchboard office that was located in Palestine, WV, donated by Mary Corbitt Stempowski in memory of Albert M. Corbitt and a 48 state American Flag, ribbons and samples from the old A. W. Thorn Store donated by Susan Kirby.
The museum will be having their Open House on Saturday, December 9, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 pm.
The public is welcome to visit the historical old building and enjoy the new items on display. The museum is located behind the courthouse in Elizabeth. | 
