Today in Wheeling History: August 29 — Oglebay Mansion added to the National Register of Historic Places (1979).
The Oglebay Mansion, centerpiece of Wheeling’s Oglebay Park, is a historic estate with roots dating back to 1846. Originally built by Dr. Hanson Chapline and his wife Elizabeth Sprigg on inherited farmland, the home began as a modest Greek Revival farmhouse. In 1856, English brewer George W. Smith purchased the property, renamed it Waddington Farm, and expanded it significantly. Smith’s renovations included a new wing, marble accents, and a wraparound porch.
In 1900, Cleveland industrialist Earl W. Oglebay acquired the estate from his mother-in-law, Sallie Howell. He transformed it into a model farm and summer retreat, adding over 60 buildings and pioneering agricultural experiments. Oglebay’s vision extended to public service: upon his death in 1926, he willed the estate to the City of Wheeling for public use.
The city accepted the gift in 1928, and by 1930, the mansion became the Oglebay Institute Mansion Museum. It features 13 restored period rooms, exhibits on Wheeling history, and collections from the Wymer General Store and Sinclair Pharmacy. The museum was the first in West Virginia accredited by the American Association of Museums and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
To learn more: Oglebay Park History at Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/4hrt2anv); Oglebay Mansion Museum on Clio (https://tinyurl.com/bddttb55), Oglebay Institute Museum Overview (https://tinyurl.com/34ffmjuj), Oglebay Park Wikipedia Entry (https://tinyurl.com/9cb7rm78), Weelunk: Oglebay—The Park That Almost Wasn’t (https://tinyurl.com/2ntku5d9), Oglebay Mansion Walking Tour on YouTube (https://tinyurl.com/zj5f84ya)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wikimedia Commons
The Oglebay Mansion, centerpiece of Wheeling’s Oglebay Park, is a historic estate with roots dating back to 1846. Originally built by Dr. Hanson Chapline and his wife Elizabeth Sprigg on inherited farmland, the home began as a modest Greek Revival farmhouse. In 1856, English brewer George W. Smith purchased the property, renamed it Waddington Farm, and expanded it significantly. Smith’s renovations included a new wing, marble accents, and a wraparound porch.
In 1900, Cleveland industrialist Earl W. Oglebay acquired the estate from his mother-in-law, Sallie Howell. He transformed it into a model farm and summer retreat, adding over 60 buildings and pioneering agricultural experiments. Oglebay’s vision extended to public service: upon his death in 1926, he willed the estate to the City of Wheeling for public use.
The city accepted the gift in 1928, and by 1930, the mansion became the Oglebay Institute Mansion Museum. It features 13 restored period rooms, exhibits on Wheeling history, and collections from the Wymer General Store and Sinclair Pharmacy. The museum was the first in West Virginia accredited by the American Association of Museums and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
To learn more: Oglebay Park History at Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/4hrt2anv); Oglebay Mansion Museum on Clio (https://tinyurl.com/bddttb55), Oglebay Institute Museum Overview (https://tinyurl.com/34ffmjuj), Oglebay Park Wikipedia Entry (https://tinyurl.com/9cb7rm78), Weelunk: Oglebay—The Park That Almost Wasn’t (https://tinyurl.com/2ntku5d9), Oglebay Mansion Walking Tour on YouTube (https://tinyurl.com/zj5f84ya)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wikimedia Commons
RSS Feed