This project is about the restoration of an anchor building in the heart of economically distressed downtownmatewan, WV into the pathfinder center for economic revitalization, and a living history…

This $1,497,470.03 Save America's Treasures grant awarded by the National Park Service (CFDA 15.929) will enable the Coalfield Development Corporation, a non-profit community development organization, to rehabilitate the historic Nenni Building in Matewan, West Virginia. The funding will be used to stabilize the building's structure and upgrade critical systems, including the roofing, walls, windows, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection. These renovations will preserve the building's architectural integrity and prepare the second floor for the creation of a living history exhibit on the West Virginia Mine Wars. The restored Nenni Building will serve as the Pathfinder Center for Economic Revitalization and a site for the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum, helping to revitalize Matewan's historic tourism economy while honoring the town's significant role in American labor history.

This project is about the restoration of an anchor building in the heart of economically distressed downtownmatewan, WV into the pathfinder center for economic revitalization, and a living history center for the WV minewars museum in the midst of the NPS national coal heritage area. In 2019, non-profit coalfield development corporation (coalfield) (https: coalfield-development.ORG ) purchasedthe nenni building to revive a cornerstone of the matewan historic district. Named after the family that owned itfor 100 years, the nenni building consists of the testerman jewelry store (two stories, 2,340 SF), the unitedmine workers of america meeting hall C.E. Livelys building (two stories, 2,628 SF), and the schaeffer building(three stories, 3,888 SF). Over its life, this building has served as a miners union headquarters, a restaurant, a department store, and the home of police chief and renowned local hero, SID hatfield. Since acquiring theproperty in 2019, coalfield has created a vision and launched restoration of an innovative space to enrich thecommunity and pay tribute to the towns rich historic character through the creation of a pathfinder center onthe ground level, and a rich living history experience on the second level.however, years of use have left the nenni building in hazardous disrepair. Much of the structures key components must be replaced, including the roofs, walls, and windows. Specifically, coalfield, working with its partner the WV mine wars museum, seeks to install new stormwater infrastructure to prevent further damage to the building, complete upgrades to the electrical systems, upgrade the HVAC system, upgrade the plumbing system, modify and enhance the fire protection system, complete carpentry and interior building work that has been damaged by water leaks on the second level, and repair the exterior infrastructure of the building. These upgrades will stabilize the second floor of the nenni building so coalfield and the WV mine wars museum can pay tribute to the important history of the building, revitalize the towns historic tourism economy, and honor the people of matewan both past and present who contribute to the historic and cultural abundance of the town.coalfield requests a $748,785 save americas treasures grant to rehabilitate the second floor of the nennibuilding. This critical work is a necessary precursor for the creation of a living history experience of sidhatfields apartment, which will exhibit the history of the often-overlooked WV mine wars and matewanssignificant role in this chapter of labor history. Backed already by the WV state historic preservation office, the U.S. Economic development administration, and philanthropy, SAT funding with $748,785 in match will enable coalfield to revitalize the nenni building into a useable and safe building for residents and visitors once more, and lay the foundation for an interactive historic exhibit to showcase an important ERA of american history.