Phelps-Tavenner House preserves Wood County history

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) - The Wood County Historical and Preservation Society is preserving the Phelps-Tavenner House, the first brick house built in Wood County and the county’s original courthouse.

Colonel Hugh Phelps built the house at the turn of the 19th century. It sits just off Camden Avenue in Parkersburg.

Community members have donated the furniture and decorations that fill the house’s rooms over the years. In 2015, the Historical and Preservation Society purchased the house, becoming only the sixth owners since it was built.

Librarian Diana Hill works in the resource barn, which houses documents and photographs of past local residents.

“If someone knows something about any family at all in the area, we would love to have their information,” Hill said. “That’s what we are building with is, people who have done their family histories and have been kind enough to share them with us.”

Hill said the documents date back to when settlers were moving into the area. She hopes the resources will help answer visitors’ questions about local families and historical events.

“If you have an interest in a specific family or any historical happening in the area, we will have newspaper clippings,” Hill said. “We’ll try our best to find something about your family. We’re very happy and honored that people continue to bring us things that are no longer of use to them but will be to someone down the road.”

The Tavenner House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The house now welcomes guests to tour the property.