Buffalo Creek

Scope and content:

This subseries of the Arch Moore Jr. Collection documents the state of West Virginia's governmental response to the Buffalo Creek flood and disaster of February 26, 1972. It contains the information and testimonies gathered by the Governor's Ad Hoc Commission investigating the Buffalo Creek disaster, as well as drafts of the official report of the commission. It also contains press clippings about the disaster, its aftermath, and the legal proceedings that arose following the flood. In addition, there are many files of correspondence between the governor and constituents, other governmental bodies, and heads of state with regard to the Buffalo Creek disaster and response within this subseries. Some of the important topics represented in this subseries are disaster relief; emergency preparedness; redevelopment; state budget; correspondence; job loss and creation; legal proceedings; commission investigations; research funding; Environmental Protection Agency; coal refuse dams; Army Corps of Engineers; recreation; land use; Housing and Urban Development. Materials are largely textual, including correspondence, memorandums, executive orders, interviews, newspaper clippings, maps, diagrams, invoices, bound reports, and related printed materials. Among other formats scattered throughout this subseries are photographs, reel to reel audiovisual materials, and vinyl records.

Language:
English .

Access and use

Location of collection:
West Virginia and Regional History Center
West Virginia & Regional History Center
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6069
1549 University Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26506
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Lori Hostuttler
Phone: (304) 293-3536
Parent restrictions:
The bulk of the Gubernatorial papers subgroup is closed for processing. Access may be granted at the discretion of the curator.
Parent terms of access:

Materials may contain sensitive or private information. Researchers may use data collected from these materials in the statistical aggregate or as an example to illustrate a theme. No identifying information should point to specific individuals or families mentioned in the files.

Materials produced by public servants while carrying out official duties are not copyrighted. Materials created outside of official duties, including diaries, personal correspondence, and campaign materials, are protected by copyright. Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please contact the West Virginia Regional History Center.

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