Preservation Spotlight: preserving Paw Paw’s built history

​Paw Paw, West Virginia is rich in built history and through the efforts of Morgan County company, Cacapon Preservation Solutions, LLC, efforts are underway to research and document that history through inclusion of Paw Paw’s most important historic buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Owner and principal consultant David Abruzzi, a retired veteran, registered architect, and historian is also personally invested in preserving Paw Paw’s built history through the purchase of several historical properties in Paw Paw.

​Last summer Abruzzi, through his company Cacapon Preservation Solutions, purchased three properties in the center of town: the 1876 former “Saint Charles Catholic Mission Church”; the 1898 Dr B.W. McBee farmhouse-style house; and a 1930’s-era Craftsman bungalow. The intent is to renovate each of the properties to be sympathetic to their historic characters, while making needed updates to take full advantage of modern efficiencies and technologies.

Work is nearly complete on renovating the farmhouse, known colloquially as an “I-House,” into an inn. Abruzzi has been working closely with local Paw Paw business Mountain Life Kitchen on the building’s conversion into Mountain Life Inn. The totally renovated inn will feature four locally-themed guest rooms, each with their own private bath.

Following shortly thereafter, Abruzzi will turn his attention to completing the renovation of the 1930’s 3-bedroom bungalow, which he plans to rent out as a vacation rental.

The final piece will be the restoration and conversion of the church into a restaurant. With its listing on the National Register of Historic Places, the church is eligible for 45% historic tax credits. This WV program will help cover the costs of the necessary preservation and restoration work. In addition to the restoration work, Abruzzi plans to construct a small addition for support spaces, such as kitchen, restrooms and an office area, to keep the 1,000 SF church as original as possible. Once the work is complete the church will become the new home of Mountain Life Kitchen.

Abruzzi recently traveled to Huntington, WV seeking the endorsement of the WV Archives and History Commission for a third nomination of an historic building in Paw Paw to the National Register of Historic Places. After successfully nominating the 1893 Old Mayor’s Office and Lockup last year, and the 1876 St Charles Catholic Mission Church this past spring, Abruzzi turned his efforts to Paw Paw’s 1928 2-room Black School. The Commission unanimously endorsed the nomination for the school on 13 June 2024 and forwarded it to the National Park Service for their final approval. The National Park Service has 45 days to act on the nomination so, barring any unforeseen questions, the Paw Paw Black School will be listed on the National Register by early August.

After conducting research, interviewing long-term residents of the town, and working with town officials, Abruzzi spent hours of his time developing the individual nominations for each building to highlight their historic roles in the civic and public life of Paw Paw. Listed properties and places are deemed “worthy of historic preservation” and become eligible to apply for a variety of grants and tax credits.

Abruzzi has also been contracted by the Paw Paw Town Council to research and evaluate four buildings associated with Paw Paw’s Apple Orchard Industry to determine if enough historic integrity remains to justify individual nominations to the National Register of Historic Places.

About David Abruzzi & Cacapon Preservation Solutions:
David Abruzzi is a retired veteran, West Virginia registered architect (RA), and historian. As the principal consultant at Cacapon Preservation Solutions LLC, he established the company with the vision of protecting and preserving West Virginia’s historical places for the benefit of current and future generations. In fulfilling that vision, he consults with and assists WV property owners, municipalities, residents, and concerned citizens who want to protect and preserve historic structures navigate the historic preservation process.