Morgantown in Monongalia County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Willey House
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Willey Amendment
Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 26, 2021
1. Willey House / Willey Amendment Marker
Willey House. Built 1839-40, this example of Neo Classical architecture served as the home of prominent WV statehood leader and US Senator, Waitman T. Willey. Noted for being the first home in Morgantown to have running water, the residence was spared during the 1863 Jones-Imboden Raid due to the efforts of Elizabeth, Willey's wife. The house was listed on the National; Register in 1982.
Willey Amendment. The Willey Amendment, written by US Senator Waitman T. Willey, 1862, provided for gradual emancipation of slaves in the new state of West Virginia and won Senate passage of the statehood bill. Constitutional convention delegates approved the revised state constitution. West Virginia did not completely end slavery until February 3. 1865, when the legislature abolished it.
Erected 2016 by West Virginia Archives & History.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Architecture • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 3, 1865.
Location. 39° 37.487′ N, 79° 57.556′ W. Marker is in Morgantown, West Virginia, in Monongalia County. It is on Wagner
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in North Central West Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Waitman Thomas Willey (a few steps from this marker); In Honor and Remembrance (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vietnam Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ford House (approx. Ό mile away); F. Duke Perry Walkway (approx. Ό mile away); The Vance Mile (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Morgantown.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 27, 2020
2. Willey House/Willey Amendment Marker
Photographed by Bradley Owen, April 27, 2021
3. Willey House / Willey Amendment Marker
Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 27, 2020
4. Willey House
Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 648 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on July 26, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on July 26, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 2. submitted on July 27, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 3. submitted on April 27, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 4. submitted on July 27, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
