BEVERLY, W.Va. (AP) - After more than 12 years, construction is complete at a local museum dedicated to the preservation of regional culture and history.
The Beverly Heritage Center hosted guests for a ribbon cutting, after-hours reception and celebration at the museum on Court Street in Beverly on May 14.
Those in attendance were treated to hors d’oeuvres and 19th century chamber music provided by Mountain Winds Trio, while a slide show displayed photos featuring the evolution of the center. Guests were invited to enjoy any of the four permanent exhibits along with the rotating exhibit, titled “Beverly’s Memories: An Oral Account of Tygart Valley’s Past.”
Executive Director Darryl DeGripp said the museum is vital to the region because “if we lose our history, we lose so much more than old things.” He noted identity and culture must be preserved for future generations to ensure this heritage remains prevalent in the region.
“I’d really like folks to realize that this museum is pretty important to the culture and heritage of Randolph County in general,” he said. “We’re pretty rich in history and culture in Beverly and we’d sure like folks to come out and look things over.”
Del. Denise Campbell, D-Randolph, was among a contingent of county and state officials that attended the open house. As a lover of history, she said it’s vitally important to not forget the past.
“The way they have done this is so unique,” she said. “When people come to Randolph County and they come to Beverly, they have an absolutely beautiful place to come in and obtain so much information presented in a professional way.”
Campbell added the center provides an excellent resource for students to “come and see that we are a part of American history.”
The museum consists of four historically significant buildings that have been rehabilitated and conjoined by a new addition, which links the complex together while serving as the entrance to the museum without disrupting its street-front facade.
In the project’s final stages, brick sidewalks were laid around the museum, a flagstone patio with landscaping was constructed and a historically accurate replica of the original Randolph County Courthouse cupola was installed.
Each building houses an exhibit pertaining to different aspects of local history.
The 1900 Beverly Bank building, which sits on the corner of Court and Main streets between the courthouse and the street, hosts the exhibit “Travel a Turnpike Through Time,” pertaining to the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike, an early roadway vital to the region.
“It talks about the turnpike itself, how it was brought here to Beverly and Randolph County, what it connects, and the need for it,” DeGripp said.
The 1808 Randolph County Courthouse serves as the core of the center and houses an exhibit on the “Randolph County Courthouse War.” It tells the story of the friction that existed between Beverly, the original county seat, and the new town of Elkins, whose officials sought the designation. An 1897 courthouse built in Beverly to replace the structure burned under suspicious circumstances. Shortly after, Elkins was named the new county seat.
The 1913 Hill Building, which served as a general store for about 30 years and has also been a pool hall, was originally built to connect the courthouse and Crawford buildings. It currently contains an exhibit on “Beverly’s Heyday” that includes information about how the town experienced a “boom” as a popular stop on the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike. The building also houses a kitchen and restrooms.
“It’s an example of life in Beverly,” he said. “Even after the courthouse moved, Beverly didn’t necessary die. In fact it thrived for a good number of years after that.”
The 1856 Bushrod Crawford building, which served as Union General George B. McClellan’s headquarters during the Civil War, houses an exhibit pertaining to the first campaign of the Civil War, along with “The Crawford Store” gift shop. The display covers the role Tygart Valley played in the Civil War, including the battle of Rich Mountain.
“It talks about the key players in the battle of Rich Mountain as well (as) Beverly being occupied during the Civil War,” DeGripp said.
DeGripp said he hopes to continue to preserve historic buildings in the community by renovating the building across the street, which used to serve as an Odd Fellow’s home, so community events like dances and concerts can be scheduled.
“We’re hoping that we can have it completed by August,” he said. “Who knows, we might have our first square dance there this fall.”
The Beverly Heritage Center is a joint operation of the Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation, Historic Beverly Preservation and the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike Alliance.
Phyllis Baxter, president of Historic Beverly Preservation, said the goal in refurbishing the buildings was to perform “sensitive rehabilitation for adaptive re-use.”
“Beverly Heritage Center tells the story of how our county was founded, grew and changed over time,” she said.
Baxter noted modern amenities like a sprinkler system, central heat and air have been installed to bring the museum up to code but the core structure of the buildings were restored to as original a condition as possible.
“In the center we are not only saving and re-using some of the most important historic buildings but we’re able to now share those stories with our visitors and attract tourists to the town and to our county as a means of economic development,” Baxter said.
The museum’s summer hours, which begin in mid-May and run until Labor Day, are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday. The rest of the year, the museum will be open daily, except for holidays, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults. Children 12 and under get in free.
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Information from: The Inter-Mountain, https://www.theintermountain.com
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