Demolition of historic building in Wellsburg is opposed – The Daily Times

WELLSBURG At Tuesdays Brooke County Commission meeting, the curator of the Brooke County Museum voiced the museum boards displeasure in the demolition of the former Millers Tavern.

Ruby Greathouse told the commission the museum board has received numerous calls and complaints about the buildings removal at the corner of Main and Sixth streets and members want to make clear they had opposed the demolition.

Theyre distressed by whats occurred, Greathouse said.

As she spoke, crews were poised to remove its remaining supports, including steel beams added in later years.

Greathouse noted the two-story building was named a National Historic Landmark in 1978 before being named, among hundreds of other structures in the citys downtown business section, part of a National Historic District in 1982.

Built in 1797 at the corner of Main and Sixth streets, its said to have offered food and lodging to visitors sailing to and from Wellsburg on the nearby Ohio River, some traveling as far as New Orleans.

In the 1930s it became the Wellsburg Eagles Lodge and in 1973 it became home to the countys museum until 2012, when the museum was moved to 704 Charles St. because it offered more space.

The commissioners said the building played a role in the citys history but hadnt been preserved in its original state and couldnt be used as part of the judicial annex they plan to build onto the nearby county courthouse.

Tim Ennis, the commissions president, said the buildings removal was needed to support progress, just as many structures were razed to allow the construction of state Route 2 through Wellsburg.

I think John Henderson (who built the tavern) would be amazed it was still there. If he and our countys founding fathers knew its demolition was needed for the county to advance, theyd say, take it.

Plans call for the annex to include all of the countys courts, including the magistrate court, which was moved to the third floor of the Community Bank building when the courthouses ground floor was flooded in 2004.

Since then concerns about that section of the bank building meeting state fire codes and handicap accessibility have spurred a desire to relocate it again.

Last week the commissioners announced plans to return the magistrate court to the courthouse while they seek a loan for the project, which has been estimated at $5 million to $7 million.

Greathouse noted an official with the state Division of Culture and History warned the commission in 2016 that razing the building could prevent them from securing federal money for the addition under the National Historic Preservation Act.

Ennis said he didnt know if that is true. He said the demolition itself was funded with county money.

Ennis said the job went to Stash Trucking of Uniontown, Pa., which submitted a bid of $37,000, significantly lower than the other bids because the contractor knew the value of the sandstone blocks of the buildings foundation and original wood inside.

The contractor gets everything (from the razed building), he said.

Ennis said no artifacts belonging to the museum were taken, and Greathouse confirmed the building was no longer being used for storage when the demolition occurred.

Greathouse expressed disappointment the commissioners didnt retain some of the original material for display or use in the addition, noting such a move was suggested by the state Division of Culture and History.

After talking to Greathouse following the meeting, county Commissioner Stacey Wise said she asked if the museum board will provide information and photos for an area of the annex depicting the buildings use and development.

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Demolition of historic building in Wellsburg is opposed - The Daily Times