News and Notes

HISTORIC SPRINGS ~ EXCUSE FOR AN EXCURSION

5/7/2014

By Tricia

An ode to West Virginia’s antebellum ties, the historic springs represent much of the state’s Southern influences. These springs are a reminder of another era when people of the Tidewater lowlands flocked to enjoy the springs’ rejuvenating powers. Eventually their popularity diminished and people no longer took stock in the waters’ medicinal values. However, a visit to these springs today could recharge anyone’s love of architecture harmoniously linked to nature.

Capon Springs and Farm, Hampshire County
After discovering the springs in 1765 on a hunting trip, Henry Frye brought his ailing wife over the Great North Mountain from Virginia where she was healed by Capon Spring’s waters. Added to the National Register in 1994, the collection of unpretentious vernacular architecture sets the tone for Capon Springs. The octagonal springhouse of randomly laid sandstone is built directly into White Cliff – the rocky bluff that houses the roughly thousand foot deep spring.

Capon Springs Octagonal Springhouse

Blue Sulphur Springs Pavilion
The sole remaining structure of a once extensive spa, the Blue Sulphur Springs Pavilion now stands alone in an open pasture encircled by tree-covered hills. The twelve Doric columns support a frame entablature and hipped roof with a tiny gable at the center of each side. Unfortunately, Union soldiers touched the most of the resort in 1864 to prevent Confederate troops from using the buildings. Added to the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia’s Endangered Properties List in 2013, Blue Sulphur Springs Pavilion is now under the care of the Greenbrier Historical Society. They hope to restore this bucolic site to a reinvigorating tourist destination.

There are plenty of other springs to explore such as Bella Vista in Berkeley County and the famous White Sulphur Springs at the Greenbrier Resort in Greenbrier County. Enjoy the springs of West Virginia and let their rejuvenating historic beauty and natural surroundings be your excuse for an excursion.

Blue Sulphur Springs Pavilion

Print of Blue Sulphur Springs

Salt Sulphur Springs
Now privately owned, the Salt Sulphur Springs is visible along U.S. Route 219 in Monroe County. Once one of the more celebrated destinations, the Salt Sulphur Springs is nestled in a narrow ravine. The compound included a hotel, Episcopal chapel, store, springhouse, and brick cottages. However, Salt Sulphur Springs took a serious blow during the Civil War. After troops used the hotel as a barracks, the post-war resort only opened sporadically until it ceased to be a hotel in 1936. Today, the hotel-turned-private-residence still suggests the once grand scale of the complex.

Salt Sulphur Springs

GLEN DALE WOMEN FOCUS OF MUSEUM EXHIBIT

4/9/2014

A new exhibit telling the stories of more than 20 women of the Cockayne family and the roles that they played in that family’s social and business prominence during the 19th and 20th Centuries has opened in Glen Dale.

“Women of the House” features works of art, photographs, objects and ephemera from five generations of women of the Cockayne family who were associated with either the Cockayne Farmstead or the family’s original home, which was razed in 1996. According to exhibit designer and AmeriCorps member Caitlin Hucik, “It’s important to study the Cockayne women in order to fully understand the family’s success and prominence in their day.”

Cockayne House, Glen Dale, WV

Presented at the Cockayne House, 1111 Wheeling Avenue, Glen Dale, “Women of the House” is open until Labor Day. Admission to the exhibit is included with a tour of the ca. 1850 farmhouse. Admission is $5.00 for adults; admission for students (grades 1—12) and senior citizens is $3.00; pre-school children are admitted for free. The Cockayne Farmstead is open for tours daily, Monday through Friday, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and tours begin on the hour. Weekend and group tours are by reservation; credit cards are accepted. Free off-street parking is available adjacent to the Cockayne Farmstead office at 1105 Wheeling Avenue.

Please call Caitlin Hucik or Tom Tarowsky at 304-845-1411 for group or weekend reservations, or with questions.

The Cockayne Farmstead is a site project for the Preserve WV AmeriCorps, a service initiative administered by Preservation Alliance of WV. For more information, visit our Preserve WV Program page.

HISTORIC COURTHOUSES ~ EXCUSE FOR AN EXCURSION

4/7/2014

By Tricia

When envisioning a courthouse most people conjure the image of a blindfolded allegorical statue standing in front of an imposing neoclassical temple of justice – much like the one Cass Gilbert designed for the U.S. Supreme Court. However, courthouses come in all shapes and sizes. With fifty-five counties, each one with a current – and often former – seat of power there are many courthouses across the state to explore. Below are just a few examples of the diverse architectural styles of the many historic courthouses of West Virginia

Go out and do these historic courthouses justice! Make these temples to jurisprudence your excuse for an excursion!

Princeton, Mercer County
Alexander B. Mahood’s 1931 Mercer County Courthouse is situated in the center of a traffic circle in Princeton, WV. Visible from every angle, this limestone, art deco structure is the fifth courthouse to stand on the site. Mahood decorated the building with Roman-inspired motifs including medallions, engaged columns, and fluting. Also, the stylized heroic friezes of West Virginia history from the pioneer era through the rise of machines were based on paintings by the architect’s mother, Sallie Lee Mahood. The Mercer County Courthouse stands for progress, from its modern style to its frieze

Charles Town, Jefferson County
The Courthouse of Jefferson County, built in 1808 on a plot of land donated by Charles Washington, is designed in the popular early-nineteenth century style – Greek revival. During the Civil War, the roof and interior of the courthouse were destroyed and the court temporarily relocated to Shepherdstown. The court returned to Charles Town in 1872. However, the Greek revival Doric portico and pediment were now topped by a Georgian belfry added during the renovation by Phillips and Cockrill. This courthouse has also seen many famous trials including that of John Brown after his three-day occupation of the U.S. Armory and Arsenal in Harpers Ferry, and the trail of United Mine Workers of American in the 1920s.

Parkersburg, Wood County
Drawing from the design of H.H. Richardson’s Allegheny Courthouse up the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, the Wood County Courthouse’s Richardsonian Romanesque style reflects the wealth of the county. The building’s heavy stone-faced walls in contrast with the subdued, yet intricate, sculptural detail exhibit the balance of a the raw materials of the county and the emerging culture created from the economic boom. This commanding structure is the third courthouse built on this site.

Beverly, Randolph County
Although the county seat has since moved up the road to Elkins, Beverly’s early-nineteenth century courthouse still stands as part of the town’s heritage center. The building’s two-story symmetrical brick façade reflects the vernacular style of the mid-eighteenth century British colonies. Now joined with the neighboring Bushrod Crawford building, Beverly Bank building, and Hill store building, you can visit the former courthouse and explore the history of Beverly. Visit www.historicbeverly.org for more information and a calendar on upcoming events.

PAWV’S TRIP TO SUMMERSVILLE

4/5/2014

By Danielle, Executive Director

We at PAWV have partnered with the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority for a five-locale special program in the New River area: Bridges to the Past. Part of this partnership includes the display of our traveling exhibit, Preserving West Virginia: Saving Communities, giving special presentations about historic preservation, and touring historic sites in the region. Summersville in Nicholas County was the first stop on our five-month tour.

We were lucky to have Ray Moeller, West Virginia State University (WVSU) Extension Agent in Nicholas County, be our tour guide of Summersville’s historic hot spots. Ray was a great host. He picked us up at our hotel and drove us around to the Old Main School, Carnifex Ferry Park, Hawks Nest Workers Memorial and Grave Site, Summersville Lake, and more. Of all the sites, the Old Main School left the greatest impression on us. Old Main was the Nicholas County High School from 1913-1978. It is a three-story structure constructed of stone quarried not too far from where the building stands.

PAWV has focused its energies on highlighting dilapidated and vacant schools on the West Virginia Endangered Properties List (two were added to the list this year!). Recently, we’ve seen success stories for adaptive re-use of schools for housing in Clendenin, Charleston, and Elkins. These success stories are worth noting, but it’s important to understand that not every school building can be turned into affordable housing. The folks at the Old Main Foundation showed us a unique approach to making historic schools viable again.
It appears that the Old Main School project has evolved naturally over the years. The group formed in 1990 with the goal to turn the school into a regional cultural arts center. Fast forward twenty-four years, and we see first-hand what can be accomplished when a dedicated group of volunteers put their minds to something. The group has attained its goal, and the school now functions as a cultural arts center. Additionally, it houses a few offices for local organizations and businesses, demonstrating that the group has not limited itself to a certain scope, but that it has learned how to generate income to keep the building functioning and pristine. There are several rooms devoted to museum displays for veterans’ history, local history, and wild game, among other topics.

There is also a grand stage and auditorium that has been restored and is used for community performances. Groups can rent out spaces in the school for special events too. What’s remarkable about this project is that it is cutting edge compared to other school projects in West Virginia – many are in a stage of infancy. The Old Main Foundation found an approach that worked and ran with it. It may not work for every school building, but this project shows that there are endless options for preserving and re-using historic schools. All you really need is a dedicated group of volunteers with creative minds.

Old Main School is a historic preservation gem in the Nicholas County, and it is worth a visit on your summer trips to the New River. You can contact Jim Fitzwater at the Old Main Foundation for special tours and events by calling 304-872-5020. For more information, you can contact Ray Moeller at
raymoellerwv@gmail.com.

EXCUSE FOR AN EXCURSION TO HISTORIC CHURCHES

3/2/2014

By Tricia

Churches follow a standard form: nave, pews, altar… Yet there are unique features that make these architectural religious relics praiseworthy. All over West Virginia houses of worship symbolize a community’s history and values. Though the use of the structure may have changed or the building has sustained severe structural damage, the historic churches across the state merit a visit. This is why historic churches are this month’s focus for an Excuse for an Excursion.

Huntington – Bethel temple Assembly of God (Former B’Nai Israel Synagogue)
Not all religious buildings maintain their original use. In this case, the congregation of B’Nai Israel Synagogue merged with the nearby Ohav Sholom Temple in Huntington in the 1970s.

Although the building changed hands, the outstanding combination of Eastern and Georgian motifs still stands out. The juxtaposition of yellow terracotta and dark brick accentuate the triple-arched entrance and Moorish inspired horseshoe arches.

Wheeling – Second Presbyterian Church
After a devastating roof collapse during the summer of 2011, the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia added Wheeling’s Second Presbyterian Church to the 2013 Endangered Properties List. The Greek Revival church dates to the mid-nineteenth century. Second Presbyterian was one of the first buildings constructed in Wheeling’s Center Market Square Historic District and adds to the area’s distinctive character.

Lewisburg – Old Stone Church
The Old Stone Church in Lewisburg is one of the most picturesque places of worship in the state. Christopher Foglesong and John Brown originally built this Presbyterian meetinghouse in a square form in 1796. Shuttered rectangular windows punctuate the two-story limestone façade. The apparent casual arrangement of windows and doorways are a result of the 1830 expansion and reorientation of the building. Four years later, the octagonal belfry was added. In 1968, a conservation firm returned the structure to its ‘colonial’ appearance and restored the high-pulpit inside.

Mullens – Wyco Church
Built in 1917, this church served the coal miners and their family in Coal Baron Major W.T. Tam’s company town. The lancet windows and recessed entrance epitomize the late Gothic Revival style. In 2003 the Rural Appalachian Improvement League (RAIL) took ownership of the church and are working to restore it. The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia added Wyco Church to the Endangered Properties list in 2009.

Elkins – Randolph County Community Arts Center (Former St. Brendan’s Church)
In 1999, the Randolph County Community Arts Center purchased a former Roman Catholic Church. Although the Arts Center is secular, the organization retained many of the interior elements. The former apse – which still retains a mural of Christ and the Evangelists – is now a stage for the many concerts.

All over West Virginia, there are historic houses of worship worth visiting. So let the majesty of these architectural relics be your excuse for an excursion!

EXCUSE FOR AN EXCURSION TO EXPLORE AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE IN WEST VIRGINIA

2/5/2014

By Tricia

When President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, he asked the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Bearing this in mind, PAWV chose this edition of Excuse for an Excursion to bring African-American Heritage in West Virginia to the forefront.

The African-American community has had a presence in West Virginia as early as the eighteenth century. In the twenty-first century, the West Virginia Department of Commerce created the African-American Heritage Trail, demonstrating how a once enslaved population could contribute to a state created during the Civil War. This trail features thirty-one sites spread over West Virginia, but concentrated along the I-64 and I-77 corridors, and around the tip of the Eastern Panhandle. Some of these sites include John Brown’s Fort in Harpers Ferry, Booker T. Washington’s boyhood home in Malden, and the African-American Heritage Family Tree Museum in Ansted. Also, in Hinton, the statue of John Henry, the legendary railroad worker, stands tall near Big Bend Tunnel. For more information on West Virginia’s African-American Heritage Trail please click here.

More than just John Henry’s ties to the railroad, West Virginia was home to a line of another kind, the Underground Railroad. Several routes ran through the state including some along the National Road, the Northwestern Turnpike, the Parkersburg Staunton Turnpike, and many of the rivers. One such site believed to be part of the Underground Railroad is in Doddridge County. Luke Jaco used a cave near his Inn to help transport slaves along the Northwestern Turnpike from Winchester, Virginia to Parkersburg and the Ohio River. There are names and dates in the Jaco Cave carved by the people who took shelter there. For more information on the Underground Railroad trail through Doddridge County, contact doddridgecountyhistory@gmail.com.

Noticing the mark the African-American community left on West Virginia, it makes it harder to ignore the history that has been lost forever, like the Colored Children’s Home that once stood outside Huntington. This building was on PAWV’s 2011 Endangered Properties list; it was demolished later that same year. By cherishing the history that remains, we can preserve and protect it for the future. So embrace the African-American heritage of West Virginia and let that be your excuse for an excursion – not just during Black History Month, but any month.

EXCUSE FOR AN EXCURSION TO MAIN STREET & ON TRAC COMMUNITIES

1/4/2014

North, South, East, or West there is a Main Street or On TRAC community near you! Each of these locations offers a unique small town experience. Never has the phrase ‘So much to do and so much to see’ been more aptly applied. I can only cover a handful of the highlights of these quintessential West Virginia towns, but there’s plenty more of them to explore!

Main Street Communities
Charleston East End
Fairmont
Mannington
Charleston West End
Kingwood
Martinsburg
White Sulphur Springs
Philippi
Morgantown
Point Pleasant
Ripley
Ronceverte

On TRAC Communities
Belington
Parkersburg
Romney
Beverly
Marlinton
Sutton
Elkins
Rowlesburg
Kenova
Madison
Shinnston
Ranson/Charles Town
Parsons
Wheeling

Take the Million Dollar Bridge into Fairmont.

Independence Hall is one of many historical sites to see in downtown Wheeling. There are fantastic museum exhibits inside too! Image courtesy of Wheeling National Heritage Area.

Historic railroad depot in Elkins is open 7 days a week. Courtesy of Downtown Elkins.

The Charleston East End Main Street website features a list of the funkiest and most popular bars and eateries around. Afterwards, you walk it off on a self-guided tour of the district. Further north, you can drive into Fairmont via the Million Dollar Bridge. Spanning the Monongahela River, this route frames the townscape against the rolling hills. Once in the historic Downtown District, you can enjoy the seamless blend of revival styles ranging from Beaux Arts to Colonial to Italian Renaissance and Neo-Classical Revival. After stopping in Fairmont, continue on scenic Route 250 to Mannington and enjoy the Historic Home Tour or visit the Miniature Railroad Museum. In the Eastern Panhandle, Martinsburg boasts blocks upon blocks of local small businesses, ideal for a day of shopping.

Another possibility is a trip to Wheeling and West Virginia’s Independence Hall via the nation’s first roadway, historic U.S. Route 40. Or take a ride around the Potomac Highlands on one of the Mountain Rail Adventures departing from Elkin’s historic rail depot or from nearby Durbin. Another possible outing is to Sutton, where you can step in to history. This town is a part of three trails promoted by the state’s tourism bureau – The Historic Theatre Trail, Civil War Trail, and the Historic New Deal/CCC Trail. All of these trails will be featured in later Excuse for an Excursion postings.

Why just visit either Main Streets or On TRAC communities? These towns are bundled all around the state, and traveling from one town to the next makes for a great day trip! And each of these locations has events scheduled year-round so be sure to look-up upcoming events when planning your visit.

So stopping making excuses to stay at home this weekend, instead make an excuse for an excursion!

NEW BLOG SERIES: EXCUSE FOR AN EXCURSION

1/1/2014

Looking for an engaging and uncomplicated weekend trip around West Virginia? The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia is here to provide you with the simple solution. PAWV’s new blog series, Excuse for an Excursion, is filled with suggestions of easy ways to explore West Virginia’s built heritage and enjoy successful preservation efforts around the state.

Each month there will be a new theme and suggested itineraries of how to fit in all the fun and culture West Virginia has to offer. The posts cover a wide range of interests – Main Streets communities to historic springs, churches to railroads – there’s something for everyone! So stop justifying reasons to stay home, and make an excuse for an excursion around wild and wonderful West Virginia!

Forward>>

HISTORIC SPRINGS ~ EXCUSE FOR AN EXCURSION

GLEN DALE WOMEN FOCUS OF MUSEUM EXHIBIT

HISTORIC COURTHOUSES ~ EXCUSE FOR AN EXCURSION

PAWV’S TRIP TO SUMMERSVILLE

EXCUSE FOR AN EXCURSION TO HISTORIC CHURCHES

EXCUSE FOR AN EXCURSION TO EXPLORE AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE IN WEST VIRGINIA

EXCUSE FOR AN EXCURSION TO MAIN STREET & ON TRAC COMMUNITIES

NEW BLOG SERIES: EXCUSE FOR AN EXCURSION

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