|
The Early Years
The RF&P Railroad Historical Society can trace its beginnings to a website created in 1994 by Rob McKeever, hosted first on the servers of Penn State, and then moving to various hosts over the years. In 1998 the web page was supplemented by an e-mail mailing list. In 2004 several participants in the e-mail list decided to meet in person, led largely by Bill Sheild, who coordinated the initial meetings. From these meetings the idea to form an official society was born. |
Formation
Over the course of 2005 the group that would become the RF&P Railroad Historical Society met and established by-laws, a mission statement, and membership criteria. At the 2nd Quarter 2005 meeting the by-laws were adopted unanimously by the 22 present. Officers were nominated and were elected for interim positions. The initial governing body consisted of President, Bill Sheild; Vice President, Jim Musgrove; Secretary, Rob McKeever; Treasurer, Jack Rizer; Officer-At-Large, Ron Herfurth. George Payne volunteered to be Membership Chairman, while Jim Musgrove got talked into being the initial newsletter editor, and Rob McKeever continued as webmaster. |
Incorporation
Late 2005 saw the Society adopt Articles of Incorporation, hold its first annual elections, and membership grew to 100 people by the end of the calendar year. Early in 2006 the Virginia State Corporation Commission accepted the Articles of Incorporation, and the Society received a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt determination letter from the IRS. In 2005 the Society began to distribute its publication, Linking North and South, with Editor Jim Musgrove at the helm. The 200 member mark was reached by the end of August 2006. The Society's Company Store also debuted in August, 2006. In 2010 the Society published its first book, Hubie Jewell's account of his career working on the RF&P. By 2010 the Society passed the 600 member mark. |
