Utterback Family Fund


TYPE OF FUND:  Designated            DATE ESTABLISHED:  1999 

PURPOSE:  To provide an annual donation to Alpine Heritage Preservation, Inc., for the restoration of the Cottrill Opera House in Thomas, WV.*

DISTRIBUTION:  Upon the recommendation of the Grants Committee, and approval of the Board of Directors of TCF.  * After restoration of the Opera House is complete, the Directors of TCF may use the funds for the Mt. Top Library, Thomas, WV. 

VARIANCE POWER:  If, in the judgment of the TCF Board of Directors, the restrictions and conditions of the fund become unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the community, the TCF Board of Directors maintains the right to modify the terms of this fund. 

FUNDING:  Initial donation of $5,000.00 from Harry K. and Phyllis H. Utterback. 

BACKGROUND:  This fund memorializes the Utterback family who were residents of Coketon, WV near the turn of the century. Harry Cunningham Utterback, father of the donor, was born 1904 and graduated from Thomas High School in 1922.

Mortimer N. Utterback, father of Harry C., is pictured in the book, Thomas, West Virginia, 1906, first published in 1906.  Harry C. is the namesake of two men also pictured in the history:  Harry Nethkin and William Cunningham, both good friends of his father.

By the late 1920’s, the Utterbacks had moved to Cumberland, MD where they remained until their deaths.  The family did maintain contact with old friends in the Thomas area and fostered in the donors, Harry K. and Phyllis, an ongoing interest and love for the West Virginia Highlands.