The West Virginia & Regional History Center (WVRHC) is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of its annual WVRHC Research Travel Grants. Through various monetary awards, the History Center supports research using WVRHC collections, building on its mission to enhance access to the history and culture of West Virginia and the central Appalachian region.
“Congratulations to the 2026 awardees. Each year is more and more competitive as we receive increasing numbers of great proposals,” said WVRHC Director Lori Hostuttler. “The review committee had to make some tough decisions! I’m excited to see our grantees' research translate into publications and other outputs that contribute to the body of scholarship on the region and the nation.”
I’m excited to see our grantees' research translate into publications and other outputs that contribute to the body of scholarship on the region and the nation. Lori Hostuttler, Director, WVRHC
WVRHC Research Travel Grants are offered to help defray expenses of scholars who must travel to use the History Center’s resources in the course of their research. Recipients of this year’s travel grants demonstrated interest in undertaking West Virginia and central Appalachia region research using important primary and secondary collections for both the scholarly community and the public.
The WVRHC officially congratulates its 2026 research travel grantees.
Jared Asser, PhD Candidate at the University of Georgia, for their research, “The Emotional and Political Struggle during Reconstruction”
Myya Helm, PhD Candidate at Cardiff University, for their research, “Black Appalachian and Black Welsh Labor History”
Allen Fletcher, PhD, Kentucky Historical Society, for their research, “Building Schools, Building Communities: Appalachian Women, Schoolhouse Activism, and the Politics of Reform”
Secret Permenter, PhD Candidate at Purdue University, for their research “Influences on the Development of Black Deaf culture in Racially Segregated Schools for the Deaf”
Katherine Thomas, PhD Candidate at Carnegie Mellon University, for their research “Commemorations of the Battle of Blair Mountain”
Alexander Wing, PhD Candidate at the University of Georgia, for their research “Racial Violence in the Civil War and Reconstruction Era South”
Without proper funding, much of the research that illuminates the history of the region is not possible. WVRHC Research Travel Grants funding is provided by generous donors committed to the importance of not only preserving history but providing access as well.
Consider supporting research into West Virginia and the central Appalachian region by donating to the 2U054 fund here. Type “grants” into the comment field.
About the WVRHC
The mission of the West Virginia & Regional History Center (WVRHC) is to acquire, preserve, and provide access to information resources in all formats which elucidate the history and culture of West Virginia and the central Appalachian region. As the Special Collections division of West Virginia University Libraries, the WVRHC also preserves selected information resources beyond the state and regional scope which contribute to the student success, research, and land-grant missions of WVU.