Historic Area | WVU Jackson's Mill | West Virginia University

WVU Jackson's Mill rich history dates prior to 1800 when Colonel Edward Jackson settled on this land due to its location on the West Fork River. Three generations of the Jacksons operated the grist and sawmills on the site. WVU Jackson's Mill utilizes the Jackson's and other families whose buildings are preserved here, to interpret how settlers in this region made a life here and how their arrival altered and reshaped this region.

There are several structures in the Historic Area including the Mary Conrad Cabin, the Bill Freyler Artisan Cabin, McWhorter Cabin, Artisan Cabin #1, Homeplace Maker, the Jean Hinterer Doak Ruckman Artisan Cabin, the barn, the gristmill, the blacksmith shop, Blaker's Mill and the Mountain State Building and Millpond. Today, the history of the Jackson family and early life in West Virginia is preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Mary Conrad Cabin

Originally built in Roanoke, West Virginia, Mary Conrad's Cabin has joined other 19 century buildings at Jackson's Mill. The cabin was built in two phases with the front portion built in 1844 or 1845 by the cabin's owner, William Rohrbough. The back portion was added in 1855 after George Conrad purchased the property. The cabin saw soldiers on both sides during the Civil War. It was Conrad's granddaughter, Mary, whom the cabin gets its name. Mary donated the cabin to the state upon her death. The cabin was moved to Jackson's Mill in 1994.

Mary Conrad Cabin

Artisan Cabin #1

Artisan Cabin #1, built in 2018, is the first cabin of its type to be built in the Historic Area. The cabin was built as a partnership between WVU, The Barnwood Builders and materials were donated by Bowe and the Builders. The construction is made of wood timber framing and repurposed old barnwood with wood walls.

Artisan Cabin

McWhorter Cabin

Although it has not always been at Jackson's Mill, the McWhorter Cabin is the oldest structure on the property, built in 1793 by Henry McWhorter. In the mid-1920s, the property owners wanted a more modern home and members of the McWhorter family pushed to preserve the home. The cabin was taken apart and moved to Jackson's Mill in 1927, when a member of the Jackson family purchased the cabin. The cabin's location is likely near the site of the original Jackson cabin.

McWhorter Cabin

Bill Freyler Artisan Cabin

Bill Freyler Artisan Cabin, built in 2019, is the second cabin of its type to be built in the Historic Area. A partnership between WVU, The Barnwood Builders and a private donor, Bill Freyler, a 4-H leader and lifelong volunteer, constructed the cabin. This cabin use is dedicated to the Apiary at the Mill, providing bee keeping education to young and old across the state. Members from Ohio County 4-H worked with The Barnwood Builders to learn how to build an old-fashioned log building using reclaimed barnwood.

Artisan Cabin

Jean Hinterer Doak Ruckman Artisan Cabin

Jean Hinterer Doak Ruckman Artisan Cabin, built in 2020, is the last cabin to be built in the Historic Area. A partnership between WVU, The Barnwood Builders and donor, Jean Hinterer Doak Ruckman, constructed a cabin similar to Artisan Cabin #1. This cabin is the one most closely connected to the history of Jackson's Mill in location. From photographs taken in the 1800s, there was a small building located next to the barn.

Jackson's Mill

The gristmill is the last of the original buildings from the homestead. The 2 1/2 story building, made of lumber produced at the Jackson sawmill, was completed in 1837. The building now serves as a museum which houses artifacts relating to agriculture, milling and homesteads of the 19th century in West Virginia.

Blacksmith Shop

The Blacksmith Shop provides an authentic replica of the blacksmithing trade of the 1800s. Today, the Farmstead utilizes a volunteer blacksmith for special events, tours and educational programs. The Blacksmith Shop is a reproduction of the original building that was completed in 2001. Its location and design were influences by local accounts that mentioned the shop was located along the river.

Blaker's Mill

Blaker's Mill was built in Greenbrier County in 1794, the mill operated through the 1950s. After sitting vacant for several decades, in 1984 Blaker's Mill was dissembled, moved to Jackson's Mill where it was reassembled and restored to working order. Today, most of the machinery, equipment and materials that were with the mill when it was donated are still functional.

Mountain State Building and Millpond

Completed in 1994, the Mountain State Building serves as an artisan and classroom space for events, camps, meetings and groups. The Millpond was created to provide waterpower to run Blaker's Mill during events.