Good morning,
In the hustle and bustle of everyday activity at Bethany, we don’t often have the opportunity to fully appreciate some of the historic landmarks on our campus. Bethany is the home of many historic sites such as Campbell Mansion, Christman Manor at Pendleton Heights, and the Old Meeting House. These properties, among the oldest in West Virginia and pre-dating the establishment of the state itself, are iconic reminders of the rich heritage of our institution.
Campbell Mansion was once home to the College’s founder, Alexander Campbell. Campbell Mansion has welcomed Jefferson Davis, future president of the Confederacy; James A. Garfield, trustee of Bethany College and a president of the United States; and Judge Jeremiah Black, U.S. attorney general under U.S. President James Buchanan, among other notables.
Christman Manor at Pendleton Heights, constructed between 1841-42, and the home of Bethany’s second president, William Kimbrough Pendleton (1817-99), has been home to many of Bethany’s presidents, and is also the oldest building on campus. The home has hosted U.S. presidents, governors, and Congressmen, and even served as a stop on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War era.
The Old Meeting House is a church that was used for regular worship services from 1851 until 1915. Members of the church in 1912 voted to tear the church down, but the idea was abandoned thanks to Decima Campbell Barclay, youngest daughter of College founder Alexander Campbell. The new Bethany Memorial Church was built in 1914-1915, but the Old Meeting House was and is still used for special occasions.
This link connects to additional information about Historic Bethany:
http://www.bethanywv.edu/about-bethany/historic
If you haven’t visited these sites, I encourage you to make an appointment and tour the beautiful historic treasures Bethany has on campus and nearby. To schedule an appointment to see any of the icons mentioned and more, email historic@bethanywv.edu.
