It is with great appreciation that the Disciples of Christ Historical Society celebrates the work of Associate Archivist Abigail Ayers. Ayers, who has served on the staff of the Society since 2022, recently accepted the position of Structural Historian at the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office. In her work at the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office she will be reviewing Section 106 adverse effect reports. This process is legislated by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and offers light protection for historic sites and structures ensuring that sites will not be demolished using federal monies without exploring all options to mitigate the losses.

In reflecting on the impact Ayers’ work had on the Society during her tenure, President Joel Brown shared, “I am so grateful for Abby’s work with the Historical Society and her contributions to our life and mission. Abby grew up in Bethany and developed an early fascination for the Campbell historical sites. She joined DCHS first as a student intern while she was completing her graduate degree in historic preservation, and she was promoted multiple times, eventually becoming our Associate Archivist. Abby was an outstanding employee for DCHS because she brought her love for the church, her skill as an archivist, and her collegial spirit to her work. We especially benefited from her expertise in historic building preservation, which is her area of focus and the field to which she is now moving. Abby undertook a detailed building analysis of the Alexander Campbell study, which sits just a few steps from our facilities in Bethany, and we are now making plans to do a full restoration of the Campbell study based on her recommendations. I will miss having Abby on our staff, both for her skill and her presence as a friend and colleague, but I am so excited for the new opportunity before her in her chosen field.”

Senior Archivist, Colleen McFarland Rademaker, remarked, “I could not have hoped for a better guide to help me navigate my first weeks at the DCHS. Abby’s knowledge of the collection has been invaluable, and her deep care for Stone-Campbell movement heritage shines through in her work with the collections. Her warmth and sense of humor buoys the spirit of the office, and I will miss the camaraderie she brought to our collective work.”

We hope that you will join us as we express our gratitude for Abigail’s many contributions to the Historical Society and well wishes as she begins her work at the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office.