Yearbook editors work hard if only because they know their work will remain a significant, nostalgic part of the lives of their classmates for years to come. They develop a heightened sense of the history they are preserving. Perhaps it was in his role as the 1977 Vallerian editor that Marvin Gelhausen first realized his own interest in things historical. (Note to readers: we are not saying that those alumni appearing in the 1977 Vallerian, or any previous edition, should consider themselves historical relics.)
Or perhaps it was two semesters with Dr. Sturm that piqued his interest? Phillip Sturm, the university’s long term (read relic), distinguished history professor refuses to take credit for Gelhausen’s interest and obvious successes. “I doubt it had much to do with a couple of semesters of American history,” Sturm added. “But I am glad at least one alumnus wants to carry the torch.”
Dr. Sturm was very pleased when Gelhausen recently donated to his alma mater a copy of an Images of America series book he co-authored on behalf of the Taylor County Historical and Genealogical Society. The book chronicles in photographs and narrative the rich and colorful history of Gelhausen’s home county in central West Virginia. “We covered the years from the founding of the county (1844) up through the early 1960s when Grafton was named an ‘All American City,’” Marvin noted.
Ask any of West Virginia’s school children what they know about Grafton, WV, and the immediate answer you will get: Mother’ Day. The Taylor County seat lays claim to being the birthplace of Mother’s Day, founded by Anna Jarvis. The first Mother’s Day service was conducted May 10, 1908 at the old Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church, now home to the International Mother’s Day Shrine Museum. Gelhausen continues to serve as a board member for the museum’s foundation and is actively planning the centennial celebration for Mother’s Day in 2008.
And that’s not all. The city of Grafton will celebrate its 150th year over Memorial Day weekend. Gelhausen serves on the sesquicentennial celebration committee in connection with his work with the Taylor County Historical and Genealogical Society which he serves as treasurer.
Sesquicentennial celebration planning is also the work of a dedicated group of Taylor countians who call themselves Team Taylor. Gelhausen and his teammates published the Taylor Made Magazine which is serving as a primary promotional piece for the Taylor County/Grafton Convention and Visitors Bureau which Gelhausen serves as president. “The only way all this works for me is when some of these groups combine operations.”
Marvin is also the treasurer for the Taylor County Community Chest. “It’s like the United Way without the United Way name,” Gelhausen explained. “We do not pay national dues which allows us to keep all the funds raised within our small community.”
In 2005 Marvin was honored to be named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International through the Grafton Rotary Club. The former Rotarian is a past president of the club.
And, if you can believe it, Gelhausen actually wishes he could do more. “If I could work and also run for political office, I would have tossed my hat in the ring for a seat on the Taylor County Commission, but I would have to drop all my memberships if elected.”
Speaking of work, we should note that Marvin is the Managing Editor for the monthly AACE International Journal. AACE stands for Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering. Gelhausen works out of the association’s office in Morgantown.
What is cost engineering, you ask? “That can be a little tricky to explain,” Marvin shared. “All I can tell you is we have members who want to change our name to something more in the planning and scheduling area.” A quick visit to the association’s website at www.aaeci.org will tell you that cost engineers are those talented individuals who are determined to manage as inexpensively as possible all the resources associated with construction and other types of projects.
Marvin’s job description with AACE International also includes supervision of the production of all Association-printed materials and publications, including the monthly Cost Engineering journal. “We are currently working on promotional material for our annual meeting in June,” he said. Believe it or not, this will be the group’s 50th anniversary convention. “That one requires additional planning to execute all the appropriate activities and events.”
“And we’re remodeling our Morgantown offices, so I need to find time to clean out files and get ready for carpeting, painting, etc.,” an already overworked Gelhausen mentioned. “I must function best in an ongoing crisis mode.”
But with all the centennials, anniversaries, and journal editing weighing heavily on his shoulders, Marvin will not let go of the dream of one day being a county office holder. “That’s on hold as probably a retirement project.” Perhaps then he will find the time to help run Taylor County as well as preserve its history.
