Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
When Jim Comstock purchased the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace in 1965 to preserve it, he raised $4,000 from the readers of his newspaper, West Virginia Hillbilly. He then asked the West Virginia Federation of Women’s Clubs to take over the purchase.
Women’s Clubs from all over West Virginia worked together to raise funds for the purchase and restoration of the birthplace.
Since then, the West Virginia chapter of GFWC – General Federation of Women’s Clubs – has continued its support of the birthplace, which was dedicated as a museum in 1974.
For the past five years, the GFWC has held a special event at the birthplace with members of West Virginia Women’s Clubs to enjoy a picnic, a presentation and camaraderie at the historical site.
Last Saturday, members of the Marlinton Woman’s Club hosted more than 60 guests at the Birthplace.
Logan County native Terri Diamond is the West Virginia State President this year and the theme for her presidency is music, so, of course, there had to be a musical element at the Hillsboro event.
During the luncheon, musical entertainment was provided by Erica Marks and her daughters, Asa and Sal. In the afternoon, Myra Morrison, Denis Severino, Caleb Powers and Noah Miller performed on the lawn in front of the birthplace.
While the event was focused on raising funds for the birthplace, Diamond also mentioned a special fund-raiser she started to support West Virginia high school bands. All members of women’s clubs in the state have a bingo card with monetary attachments to each square.
If the entire bingo card is filled, it will mean they have raised more than $300 for their local high school band. Diamond encouraged everyone in attendance to complete their bingo card to help their bands continue to participate in performances and competitions.
The afternoon also included a special treat, provided by Pearl S. Buck Birthplace docent and unofficial Pearl expert, Phyllis Lubin-Tyler. Exiting the birthplace in a white dress and sun hat, Lubin-Tyler transformed into Buck’s mother, Carie Stulting Sydenstricker.
Lubin-Tyler shared the history of the house from Carie’s point of view and was accompanied by Barb Siers on piano.
The guests also enjoyed tours through the birthplace and learned more about the Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize winner, whose life began in Hillsboro.
