Adaland Mansion

Telling Our History

 

This stately brick home in Philippi, West Virginia is set against the rolling hills of Barbour County WV and was built in 1870. The 23-room, Greek Revival mansion has been restored with great attention to authenticity, featuring homemade brick and walnut woodwork throughout. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The barn was built in approximately 1850. It has also been restored and is open to the public during tour season.

The house and land reflect the early history of West Virginia. With two socially prominent West Virginians owning the property: the original owner, Augustus Modisett, a prominent 19th century landowner, farmer, and county sheriff  who built the home during the Civil War; and the Honorable Ira E. Robinson, a justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court and later chairman of the Federal Radio Commission. The house is located on the old Beverly to Fairmont turnpike, built in 1841.

Listed on the The National Register of Historic Places

The house reflects the early Victorian Style of the late 1890’s and early 1900’s. The house was meticulously restored to preserve Adaland’s traditional character and charm for many years to come.

Modern Restoration & Community Involvement

 

In 1996, the Adaland buildings and 20.3 acres were donated to the City of Philippi for the purpose of developing the property into a house museum, tourism, and cultural site by Anker Energy and Sentinel Mine. A group of volunteers who formed Adaland Mansion Development Inc. along with local garden clubs worked with the city for more than five years to restore the mansion. The house opened for tours and events in 1999.

In 2001, the City of Philippi deeded the property to the newly chartered Adaland Mansion Development, Inc.

The state of West Virginia chartered Adaland Mansion Development, Inc. as an independent non-profit organization, which operates as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization under the Internal Revenue Code.  An elected 10-member board of directors oversees the operation of the non-profit. The organization operates under approved bylaws under the direction of a executive director, a volunteer President, volunteer Vise President, volunteer treasurer, five part-time employees, and one full-time employee.

If you would like to learn more about volunteering with Adaland Mansion Development, Inc. please contact us. We have thousands of visitors each year and nearly 100 events. We are supported by outstanding community volunteers who assist paid staff for special events. Annual training is provided.

Surrounded by West Virginia History

 

Barbour County is deeply rooted in American history.  The first land battle of the Civil War was fought in Philippi in June 1861, and there are a host of other nationally recognized historical locations in and around Philippi.

 

Area properties listed on the The National Register of Historic Places

 

  • Adaland — on WV 76
  • Carrollton Covered Bridge — built in 1856 on Middle Fork Road — off US 119 South (currently under repair due to fire damage)
  • J.N.B Crim House — on WV 57 West at Elk City
  • Bernard E. Wilmoth House — Belington
  • Golden Rule Store Building — Belington
  • The Historic Downtown District of Philippi, roughly bound by Pike, High, Walnut, Wolfe, Main, and Wilson Streets and the Tygart Valley River.
  • Philippi B&O Railroad Station with Museum — Main Street. A tour booklet is available here.
  • Philippi Covered Bridge — built in 1852 — scene of First Land Battle of Civil War — junction of US  250 and US 119
  • Barbour County Courthouse — built 1903-1905 on Court Square
  • Peck-Crim-Chesser House — located on Walnut Street behind the Courthouse — built in the 1880’s
  • Whitescarver Hall — on the campus of Alderson-Broaddus University — first used by students in 1912