Don Teter meets with Tucker County Commissioners and members of the Tucker County Historical Society recently to discuss the Potomac Stone. Teter told those in attendance he would like to see the stone moved to the Cultural Center in Charleston for display.
By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – Tucker County Commissioners and Tucker County Historical Society members recently attended a meeting where they learned about boundary disputes and surveying the W.Va. state line. Attendees also learned the Potomac Stone has been located and heard a presentation on why that stone should be sent to the Cultural Center in Charleston for display.
Local surveyor and historian Don Teter said the stone is currently isolated, and is face down where it was found.
“We developed a plan to recover the stone,” Teter said. “We want to recover the Potomac Stone for display and interpretation in the museum at the W.Va. Culture Center in Charleston. The Cultural Center wants the stone for display and interpretation.”
Teter said they contacted the head guys at WPP and he said they ended up in conversation with the CEO of the holding companies.
“The CEO said he would like to see support from the W.Va. Historical Society,” Teter said. “They are already on board.”
Teter said where the stone is now, it is inaccessible to the general public and is in danger of being destroyed.
“We intend to preserve the site itself by leaving the witness stone there,” Teter said. “It’s only the Potomac Stone itself, which is currently face down in the stream that we wish to discover for display. They cleared for the windmills and actually dozed 15 feet from the stream the stone is in.”
Teter said he thinks there is an important story to be told.
“Telling that story could be greatly aided by having that hand chiseled story to display,” Teter said. “We have no intention of removing the witness stone.”
One participant asked why the Potomac Stone could not be put on display in Tucker County.
“Well, certainly, the thing we had in mind would not preclude it from being on display in Tucker County,” Teter said. “At least for some period before it went to Charleston. The problem with trying to display it permanently in Tucker County is where do you put it? It needs to be secure and needs to be where everyone can see it.”
Teter said there is a huge problem with vandals. “But certainly what we are talking about does not preclude it being displayed for a time.”
The Tucker County Historical Society asked for time to speak with their board, as well as the Landmarks Commission.
Most audience members agreed they did not want to see the Potomac Stone leave Tucker County.
