FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2025

Morgantown History Museum Debuts Exhibit Honoring the Old Stone House

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The Morgantown History Museum will debut a new exhibit this month featuring the Old Stone House and its history in honor of its 230th anniversary. The exhibit will open with a reception on Friday, January 31, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the museum, located at 175 Kirk Street, Morgantown, WV.

The reception will serve as the launch of the exhibit and will include an array of refreshments provided by the Service League of Morgantown including a custom-blend Old Stone House spiced tea, sandwiches and cookies. The public is invited to explore the exhibit and the museum during regular business hours from January 31 through May 31, 2025.

Curated by Museum AmeriCorps member, Sarah Potter and Museum Manager, Jason Burns, the exhibit will include information and artifacts related to the history of the Old Stone House. Located at 313 Chestnut Street, Morgantown, WV, the house was constructed prior to 1795 by Jacob and Elizabeth Nuze and is considered to be the oldest stone dwelling in Monongalia County. 

"Creating this exhibit has been a wonderful opportunity for me to learn more about my hometown, and I'm so excited to share that with our community," said Museum AmeriCorps Member, Sarah Potter. "This exhibit offers visitors a chance to engage with a vital piece of Morgantown's heritage, featuring detailed information about the Old Stone House and its historical figures. The legacy of the Old Stone House is not only a part of the history of this town, but also of Monongalia County and the state as a whole."

Throughout its history, the Old Stone House has served as a fort, a private residence, a tavern, a courthouse, a Methodist church, a pottery, a tannery, a tailor shop, among many  other things. 

The exhibit will also mark the 90th anniversary of the Service League of Morgantown. Created during the Great Depression, the League provided support for families in Monongalia County, including the establishment of the Well- Baby Clinic, which existed to provide families with various children's health services. The Service League began renting the house from the Cox family for a small fee in 1935, and was deeded the house by the family in 1975. 

"Working with the Service League (of Morgantown) on this exhibit has been wonderful. Their partnership has allowed the museum to showcase an extant part of the county's history and provides us an opportunity to participate in community outreach initiatives in order to tell their story," said Morgantown History Museum Manager, Jason Burns. "It's quite exciting for us to dive into the history of a building that is such a chronicle of time in our community. The Old Stone House is literally history written in stone."

The Morgantown History Museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. They are also closed on all state-observed holidays.

The League continues to own and operate the Old Stone House as a historical site and gift shop. Proceeds from the gift shop are sent to various local charities supporting our community at large. The Old Stone House is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., or visitors can arrange a shopping appointment by texting "private shopper" to 304-685-5947.

For more information about the reception, exhibit, or to schedule a group tour of the museum, please email morgantownwvhistory@morgantownwv.gov or by calling 304-319-1800. More information about the museum and it's events can also be found at themorgantownhistorymuseum.gov or by following the museum on either Facebook or Instagram. 

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