A historic property in Tucker County will benefit from a new fund of the Tucker Community Foundation that was created to honor the memory and legacy of James “Jim” Dale Phillips, Sr.
James Phillips was born August 30, 1930 in Parsons and died February 1, 2017 at the family residence in Blackman Flats, Parsons. He is survived by his wife[, Alice, and three children: James Dale, John Patrick, and Regina Dawn who established the James D. Phillips Fund to continue his legacy.
According to family members, “(Phillip’s) passion was being a good steward for the preservation of numerous historical artifacts and historically significant buildings in Tucker County. He was involved with the Tucker County Historical Society from the time of its inception until his death, serving as president, museum curator, board member, and volunteer. In 2007 he was one of fifty-two West Virginians honored by First Lady Gayle Manchin as a West Virginia “History Hero” for his contributions to local historical society efforts.”
The James D. Phillips Fund for the St. George Academy will provide grants for the maintenance and benefit of the two story clapboard building located in the heart of the St. George community.
The Academy was constructed in 1885–86 and operated for eight years with the last term ending in 1893. There were two graduating classes while it was still a private school. The first class was in 1889 with three graduates and the second in 1893, with two graduates.
In 1893 the Academy was sold to the Board of Education for a public grade school. Electricity was added to the building at the time of the Rural Electric program of the 1930s.
In 1975-76 a new brick school building was erected behind the old academy structure. Both buildings were used by classes until the old school building was condemned by the state fire marshal in 1982.
The Tucker County Board of Education was notified that the old academy must be torn down, moved, or have a wall built around it, since it stood directly in front of the new brick elementary school building. The residents of St. George began to plan to save the academy and were joined by the Tucker County Historical Society and other interested persons. In 1984, the Board of Education gave the building to the historical society with the provision that it be relocated in one year.
Freda Parsons, a member of Alice Phillips’s family, donated a lot next door. Plans were made to move the school roughly 100 feet.
In August of 1985, Robert Gott Phillips of Elkins, who had deep family roots in Tucker County and was a member of the historical society, brought men and moving equipment to move the building to the new lot. The first effort failed, due to the weight of the building, but the school was successfully moved later that fall to a new foundation. Ironically, while the building was sitting upon the skidding equipment on the new lot waiting for the foundation, the flood of November 1985 occurred. While the nearby new school and homes were flooded with roughly four feet of water, the old academy sat above the waters. The only alteration needed was to place the building on a higher foundation, resulting in the flight of stairs leading up to the front door. Today the academy houses a small museum.
Donations to the fund honor the memory of James Phillips and help to preserve an important piece of Tucker County’s history. Mail checks made payable to TCF – Phillips SGA Fund to TCF, 737 William Ave., Suite 1, Davis, WV 26260. Or donate online at www.tuckerfoundation.net or www.facebook.com/tucker.commfound.
