About This Event
The Friends of the Morgantown History Museum invite you to tour the historic home of United States Senator Waitman T. Willey, known as the Father of the state of West Virginia on West Virginia Day (June 20th, 2025). Senator Willey was a prominent lawyer in the City of Morgantown during the mid to late nineteenth century and in 1863 was elected as one of the first two Senators of the newly created state of West Virginia.
Our tour invites visitors to explore the home of the Father of West Virginia and learn about the role the house played in the formation of our state and will include an exhibit on the history of the home and of the Willey family. There will be refreshments in the courtyard following the tour. The event will be hosted at the mansion located at 128 Wagner Road, Morgantown, WV.
This is an excellent opportunity to view how the Willey family lived, and how Senator Willey worked to create the state of West Virginia before, during, and after the US Civil War. The tour will include Willey's home office and first-floor living spaces such as the grand hall, parlor, and dining room where the family spent their days. You will stand in the footsteps of his wife, Elizabeth Ray Willey, and hear how she stood firm against Confederate raiders when they attempted to burn the home in April 1863.
The self-guided tour will start at the front entrance, continue through the first floor of the home and into the homes' enclosed brick courtyard where refreshments will be served. Docents will be located within the home and will be glad to assist with the interpretation of the home's history and architectural features.
The tours will begin at 5:30pm and continue in 30-minute intervals. Tours will conclude at 9pm. The last tour will start at 8:30pm. Tickets for the event are $35 online prior to the event and $50 at the door on the night of the event.
*Please send all inquiries to the Morgantown History Museum at: jburns@morgantownwv.gov
About Us
This event is being held by the Friends of the Morgantown History Museum as a fundraiser for the Morgantown History Museum. The Friends of the Morgantown History Museum is a non-profit organization that assists with the operation of the Morgantown History Museum including fundraising, artifact acquisition, exhibit creation, and historical research regarding Monongalia County. All profits from this event will go toward fulfilling this mission. The Morgantown History Museum is located at 175 Kirk Street in Morgantown, WV.
Where It's Happening
Meet the Organizer
