Morgantown in Monongalia County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Willey House / Willey Amendment
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.
(side 2)
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.
Location. 39° 37.487′ N, 79° 57.556′ W. Marker is in Morgantown, West Virginia, in Monongalia County. Marker is on Wagner Road south of Prairie Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 126 Wagner Road, Morgantown WV 26501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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. ¼ mile away); F. Duke Perry Walkway (approx. ¼ mile away); Monongalia Arts Center (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Morgantown.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 181 times since then and 28 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.