Aspen Hall (Martinsburg, West Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Aspen Hall
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
 |
|
 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | End of Boyd Ave., Martinsburg, West Virginia |
|---|---|
| MPS | Berkeley County MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 80004882 |
| Added to NRHP | December 10, 1980 |
Aspen Hall, also known as the Edward Beeson House, is a very old and important house in Martinsburg, West Virginia. It was first built in 1771. This historic home shows us what life was like many years ago. It is the oldest house in Martinsburg.
Contents
Aspen Hall: A Historic Home
Building a Legacy
The first part of Aspen Hall was built in 1745. It was a strong stone house, 2½ stories tall. Edward Beeson I built this part.
Later, Edward Beeson II, who was a wealthy Quaker farmer, added more to the house. He built the main part in the Georgian style. This style was popular for grand homes in the 1700s.
Who Lived Here?
Edward Beeson II passed away in 1817. The house was then sold to Mathew Ranson in 1821. Later, in 1850, a Union Colonel named John W. Stewart bought it. The Stewart family owned Aspen Hall until 1926.
Inside the House
Aspen Hall is famous for its amazing entrance hall. It is about 13 feet wide and 36 feet deep. The original inside of the house had a special layout with two rooms deep. Many of the main rooms have beautiful wood panels.
Around 1900, some changes were made to the house. What used to be the back door became the front entrance. Also, new decorative details from the Victorian era were added.
A Fort for Protection
The property where Aspen Hall stands also includes a building called Mendenhall's Fort. John Mendenhall built this blockhouse around 1755. He was the brother of Edward Beeson I's wife.
There was once a wooden fence, called a stockade, that connected the blockhouse to Mendenhall's and Beeson's homes. This fort was built to protect the area during the French and Indian War. This was a time when there were conflicts with Native American groups.
George Washington's Connection
Even George Washington knew about this fort! He mentioned it in a letter in 1757. Colonel Washington also had soldiers stay at Mendenhall's several times. He even attended a wedding at "Mendenhall's Mill" in 1761.
Recognized History
Aspen Hall is a very important historical site. In 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are important for their history, architecture, or culture. Aspen Hall is also part of the Boyd Avenue Historic District.
