Baseball has always been a popular sport in America and Shepherdstown was no exception. In September 2000 James L. Taylor, Nathaniel Downing (deceased), George C. Rutherford and James A. Tolbert, long sensing an exclusion of Jefferson County blacks in historical writing, met to begin what has been the largest compilation of Black History ever undertaken in Jefferson County.

In light of the fact that there have been several significant events in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia (formally Virginia), it was unclear why black history was being ignored. This trend of exclusion, if continued, would lead to the complete annihilation of important black history for present and future generations of youth and adults.

These gentlemen felt this was not acceptable. The group made a decision to form the Jefferson County Black History Preservation Society. The goal is to preserve black history and research further facts about Jefferson County black history. The society has become the only acceptable authority for Jefferson County black history.

After determining the mission and goals, officers were elected. James L. Taylor was elected president, vice president was Nathaniel Downing Sr., George C. Rutherford was elected treasurer and James A. Tolbert, Sr., secretary.

By-laws were established, the group was incorporated by the West Virginia Secretary of State and soon afterwards, the society was given 501[c][3] tax exempt status by the IRS.

For those seeking more information or those who may have photos to donate to the society, please contact DollyNasby@aol.com.

Put JCBHPS in the subject line.

Photos will be returned after scanning with donors listed as contributors to the JCBHPS.