A historic home with a view.
Written by Bethany Dzielski
History lies in every brick and floorboard of 1540 Stewartstown Road. The story begins in 1784, when Jacob Bowers opened Bowers Tavern near Cheat Lake. Legend has it George Washington ate a chicken dinner at the tavern in 1784.
The log structure remained in place for more than 150 years until 1959, when Marvin and Helen Hughart hired builders to take the tavern apart and reassemble the chestnut logs in Morgantown. They added on to create a house—the tavern’s stone chimney is authentic to the period but not to the tavern, as it was originally part of a stagecoach inn. Many years ago, Henrietta Murdock, a Kingwood native and former interior design editor for Ladies’ Home Journal, also provided antique wallpaper depicting a hunt. Adding to the history of the house, the fireplace surround and cabinetry in the dining room were salvaged from a Pittsburgh mansion. Later owners restored the building, adding granite countertops to the beautiful woodwork, stone walls, and antique iron rod fixtures.
The unique two-story, three-bedroom home maintains the historical character of days gone by, but it also has the latest modern conveniences. “You get the old history, but the house is up-to-date,” says owner Beverly Robinson. A large country kitchen with a new gas stove, fireplace, and hardwood floor is perfect for an amateur chef. A dining room with a fireplace and a bay window encourages relaxed meals, and the tavern portion of the home serves as a large family room. A brick courtyard with wrought iron fence adds to the uniqueness of the house. “This would be a great home for a young couple or an older couple, or it would make a great office space,” Beverly says
The house is located in a wooded area overlooking the WVU farm and is a short drive from downtown Morgantown.
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