by Kate Shunney
The West Virginia Department of Tourism recognized this year’s recipients of the prestigious History Heroes Awards, honoring individuals whose dedication, leadership, and service have made a lasting impact on the preservation and promotion of local history.
Paw Paw’s longtime residents Barbara and James Brown Norton are recipients of the 2026 History Hero designation.
The award has long been given out by the West Virginia Department of Culture & History. That department has now been absorbed by the state’s Department of Tourism.
“Museums and historical societies across the state depend on the efforts of volunteers to steward their important collections and share our history with the next generation,” said West Virginia Department of Tourism Deputy Secretary Ennis Smith. “These awards are one way we can help recognize the tremendous amount of time and talents that volunteers at these organizations contribute every day.”
The History Heroes Awards celebrate individuals who go beyond the call of duty to ensure the success of local history, genealogy, preservation, and museum organizations. Recipients are recognized for years of dedicated behind-the-scenes service or for significant contributions that help preserve and share history for future generations.
Sharing Paw Paw’s rich history
Morgan County is home to several History Heroes, and the latest to be recognized are Barbara and Brown Norton of Paw Paw.
They were nominated for the award by the Town of Paw Paw in recognition of their personal investment in the preservation of Paw Paw’s history, and assisting others in learning the story of the town’s development and her people.
“Since before the creation of the Morgan County Historical and Genealogical Society in 1977, of which they were founding members, Barbara and J. Brown Norton have been actively engaged in researching, documenting, and sharing Paw Paw’s rich history for current and future generations,” the town wrote in their nomination.
“The information they have gathered has been shared in books and videos to which they have contributed to directly, as well as walking tours and presentations based on their research. Their historical knowledge was also integral to the recent listing of several historic buildings in Paw Paw on the National Register of Historic Places. With Barbara’s interest in history and J. Brown’s intimate knowledge of local history, their willingness to share what they have learned through a variety of mediums has helped ensure that Paw Paw’s history is not forgotten,” said their nomination document.
In a letter of support for the nomination, Mary Hott wrote of the Nortons, “Whenever there have been questions about people, events, or physical structures of the past we have always been able to depend on them for sharing their knowledge. I believe it is safe to say they are recognized by townspeople as our local historians.”
Brown Norton served as a Morgan County Commissioner and his family has deep roots in the Paw Paw area, reportedly reaching back to the town’s founding fathers.
When consulted on matters of Paw Paw history, Barbara Norton has been known to brush aside a recognition of her expertise, saying she’s not even from the area, but just married into it. Nevertheless, the Norton’s are the go-to for historical records and photos about Paw Paw as the town and citizens work to preserve its economic and cultural history for future generations to appreciate, understand and build on.
In his supporting letter for their inclusion in the league of History Heroes, David Abruzzi wrote, “Over the years the Nortons have assembled an archive of documents from the Apple Orchard Companies, the Tannery, one-room schools, and local stores that provide a written record of Paw Paw’s past that is made available to researchers.” Abruzzi said their work made it possible for him to pursue the listing of several Paw Paw structures on the National Register of Historic Places, which are now in place.
Other West Virginia’s 2026 History Hero Award recipients are:
Robert Ayersman II — Preston County
Donna Bertazzoni — Jefferson County
Tina Conner — Marshall County
Janice Cooley — Greenbrier County
Dorothy “Bibbee” Enoch — Wood County
Wayne Farley — Ohio County
William “Bill” Graley — Kanawha County
Debbie Griffin — Ohio County
Fred Harmon — Wood County
Terry Lowry — Kanawha County
Ruth Ellen D. Ferry Mooney — Statewide
Earl Parsons and Zach Parsons — Tyler County
Mary Ellen Reid — Wayne County
Peter Smith — Jefferson County
George S. Swann — Cabell County
Betsy Sweeny — Statewide
Mary West — Preston County
Melanie Wray — Cabell County
Bonnie Young — Summers County
