Written by Wheeling Park High School’s Ella Mae Wheeler, Web Designer. Ella is a contributing writer to The Park Press.
Wheeling has long been known as The Friendly City, a place where community and connection continue to shape its future. For people like Rosemary Ketchum, that friendliness is not only represented but actively sustained—serving as a staple in Wheeling communities and helping the city progress toward a better future. Wheeling has never been a place to lose hope in; it has always been a place to keep believing in.
Long before Rosemary Ketchum became known for her advocacy for preservation, community, and LGBTQ+ visibility, she saw something in Wheeling that most overlook. It wasn’t just the saying associated with Wheeling, but the history that inspired her to start projects aimed at improving the city.
“Preservation and advocacy became a way for me to say: this place matters, and so do the people who call it home,” said Ketchum.
This is because Wheeling isn’t just a small town at the top of West Virginia, but a community where people have grown up, found friends, and built meaningful lives. Ketchum explains that the historic buildings and neighborhoods lining Wheeling’s streets can no longer be dismissed and that preservation must be recognized. Preservation is potential, and she’s helping the city see that.
“Wheeling has always felt like a place full of potential that didn’t quite get the credit it deserved. I was motivated by seeing historic buildings, neighborhoods, and people overlooked or written off, even though they carried so much value,” said Ketchum.
While many Wheeling residents have lived here all their lives, Rosemary spent her teenage years in the city—arguably some of the most formative years to be here. People find home in many different places; Rosemary found herself calling this small town home. Even though Wheeling is far from perfect, perfection doesn’t have to be the end result.
“Wheeling is home in the deepest sense. It’s where my values were shaped, where I learned resilience, and where community still means something real. It’s imperfect, but it’s honest, and I feel a responsibility to help it grow in ways that honor its past while making room for everyone,” said Ketchum.
Wheeling clearly left a lasting impression, because Rosemary stayed—and instead of simply living here, she works every day to improve it for others. Wheeling is not only known as The Friendly City, but also as a Rust Belt city. This label can carry negative connotations, especially when communities are working to grow and evolve.
“The label can be limiting when it focuses only on decline, but it can also be empowering when it highlights resilience. Rust Belt cities know how to adapt, rebuild, and support one another—we’ve been doing it for generations and will continue to,” said Ketchum.
For change to happen, action is required, and for Rosemary, that meant leading by example. Through her preservation efforts on a historic building in South Wheeling, she realized she needed to make the changes she wanted to see.
“For years I talked the talk without walking the walk about preservation, and I decided that I wanted to own a piece of Wheeling spirit. Like anyone who owns an old house knows, the work never ends, but I feel great about being part of the larger movement in Wheeling to protect, preserve, and share the stories of our great buildings,” said Ketchum.
In doing so, she demonstrated how inclusion and historic preservation can work hand in hand. A common misconception about improving Wheeling is that progress must happen one step at a time; while that can be true, some efforts can and should move forward together.
“Historic preservation isn’t just about buildings; it’s about memory and belonging. It helps us understand the whole story of a community—not just the pretty parts. Inclusion strengthens preservation because it ensures we’re protecting a fuller, more honest version of history,” said Ketchum.
Beyond historic preservation, Ketchum’s advocacy extends to visibility and inclusion, particularly within Wheeling’s LGBTQ+ community. She is the Co-Chair of the Friendlier City Project and one of its founders, exemplifying her dedication to the city. Her role in bringing the annual Pride on the Plaza to Wheeling was rooted in a desire to ensure LGBTQ+ residents know they are part of the community—not hidden from it.
“I wanted LGBTQ+ people to feel visible, celebrated, and safe in the heart of the city—not hidden away. Pride on the Plaza was about claiming space and saying: we belong here, too. The Friendly City is not just a great tagline; it is a reality,” said Ketchum.
Looking ahead, Ketchum envisions a Wheeling where history, progress, and inclusion continue to strengthen and reinforce one another.
“A more inclusive Wheeling is one where everyone sees themselves reflected in leadership, public spaces, and community decisions,” said Ketchum.
Despite ongoing challenges, Wheeling has endured time and time again—because of its people. Ketchum remains hopeful about the city’s future largely due to the residents who continue to drive meaningful change.
“The people. There’s a growing group of residents who are invested, imaginative, and committed to making Wheeling better—not by copying somewhere else, but by leaning into who we are. Young people are choosing to live in Appalachia not because their options are limited—the world is at their fingertips—but because they understand the value and beauty a place like Wheeling can offer,” said Ketchum.
For younger generations in Wheeling, and for anyone striving to create change in their own community, Ketchum offers simple but powerful advice:
“Don’t wait for permission. Start small, stay consistent, and believe that your voice matters. You’ll find that you build a stronger community and lifelong friendships along the way,” said Ketchum.
Together, her work in advocacy, preservation, and visibility reveals a deeper meaning—one that has guided her from the start. The Friendly City shouldn’t just be a tagline that fades over time; it should be protected, strengthened, and passed on to future generations.
