Today in Wheeling History: August 12--Memorial visitation held for renowned Wheeling historian and preservationist Beverly Fluty at Kepner Funeral Home (2009).
Beverly Allen Balch Fluty (May 1, 1931 - August 8, 2009) was a renowned historian and historic preservationist who significantly impacted Wheeling, West Virginia's architectural heritage. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Fluty initially pursued a career in medical technology, working at various hospitals before becoming Head Technician at the Boston Blood Grouping Laboratory. Her passion for historic preservation emerged in Denver, Colorado, where she contributed to the development of Larimer Square. In 1968, Fluty moved to Wheeling with her family, coinciding with the city's bicentennial and igniting her deep interest in local history.
In 1970, Fluty co-founded Friends of Wheeling and later served as president of the West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation for 17 years. She played crucial roles in restoring West Virginia Independence Hall and the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, collaborating with industrial historian Emory Kemp on the latter project. Fluty's expertise extended nationally, serving as an advisor for the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the U.S. National Park Service. She successfully wrote National Register of Historic Places applications for several Wheeling landmarks, including the Suspension Bridge, Independence Hall, and both Centre Market buildings.
Fluty's contributions to local history were extensive. She authored numerous articles, tour guides, and booklets, contributed research to books like "The Best of Wheeling" and "Wheeling: An Illustrated History," and compiled "The Final But Incomplete List of Things Made in Wheeling." She was actively involved in various organizations, including the Wheeling Historical Society, Oglebay Institute's Mansion Museum Committee, and the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation. Fluty also conducted educational field trips for schoolchildren and lectured to civic groups and historical societies.
Her dedication earned her numerous accolades, including honors from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History in 1997 and a national citation from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. After her death on August 8, 2009, a memorial visitation was held on August 12, 2009, at the Kepner Funeral Home in Wheeling. Fluty was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery, Wheeling, in one of two plots she and her husband had purchased in the oldest section of the cemetery. The city of Wheeling named a day in her honor, and she received posthumous recognition from groups like the Wheeling Symphony. In 2021, Fluty was inducted into the Wheeling Hall of Fame, cementing her legacy as a pivotal figure in preserving Wheeling's rich architectural and cultural heritage.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/O3O4I) (https://shorturl.at/BmfA7) (https://shorturl.at/riEbK) (https://shorturl.at/esEUe) (http://alturl.com/yev5p) (http://alturl.com/pk5q9) (http://alturl.com/9tiuc)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling, WV; Wheeling Hall of Fame, Find a Grave, WV Independence Hall
Beverly Allen Balch Fluty (May 1, 1931 - August 8, 2009) was a renowned historian and historic preservationist who significantly impacted Wheeling, West Virginia's architectural heritage. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Fluty initially pursued a career in medical technology, working at various hospitals before becoming Head Technician at the Boston Blood Grouping Laboratory. Her passion for historic preservation emerged in Denver, Colorado, where she contributed to the development of Larimer Square. In 1968, Fluty moved to Wheeling with her family, coinciding with the city's bicentennial and igniting her deep interest in local history.
In 1970, Fluty co-founded Friends of Wheeling and later served as president of the West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation for 17 years. She played crucial roles in restoring West Virginia Independence Hall and the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, collaborating with industrial historian Emory Kemp on the latter project. Fluty's expertise extended nationally, serving as an advisor for the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the U.S. National Park Service. She successfully wrote National Register of Historic Places applications for several Wheeling landmarks, including the Suspension Bridge, Independence Hall, and both Centre Market buildings.
Fluty's contributions to local history were extensive. She authored numerous articles, tour guides, and booklets, contributed research to books like "The Best of Wheeling" and "Wheeling: An Illustrated History," and compiled "The Final But Incomplete List of Things Made in Wheeling." She was actively involved in various organizations, including the Wheeling Historical Society, Oglebay Institute's Mansion Museum Committee, and the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation. Fluty also conducted educational field trips for schoolchildren and lectured to civic groups and historical societies.
Her dedication earned her numerous accolades, including honors from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History in 1997 and a national citation from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. After her death on August 8, 2009, a memorial visitation was held on August 12, 2009, at the Kepner Funeral Home in Wheeling. Fluty was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery, Wheeling, in one of two plots she and her husband had purchased in the oldest section of the cemetery. The city of Wheeling named a day in her honor, and she received posthumous recognition from groups like the Wheeling Symphony. In 2021, Fluty was inducted into the Wheeling Hall of Fame, cementing her legacy as a pivotal figure in preserving Wheeling's rich architectural and cultural heritage.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/O3O4I) (https://shorturl.at/BmfA7) (https://shorturl.at/riEbK) (https://shorturl.at/esEUe) (http://alturl.com/yev5p) (http://alturl.com/pk5q9) (http://alturl.com/9tiuc)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling, WV; Wheeling Hall of Fame, Find a Grave, WV Independence Hall
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