KEYSER, W.Va. — The Mineral County Historical Foundation plans to use a $5,000 grant from the U.S. Wind Force Foundation to repair the first-floor ceiling that supports the second-story floor in the Carskadon Mansion, according to Kermit Garretson, foundation president.
“I’m very grateful to receive this funding from the U.S. Wind Force Foundation. We have a long way to go,” said Garretson. He said the foundation has been trying to restore the mansion located near U.S. Route 220 for the past 12 years. “We can use grant money from wherever we can get it.”
The mansion is the former residence of Thomas R. Carskadon, an influential Mineral County farmer and political leader. Carskadon was a member of the 1862-1863 convention that framed the Constitution of West Virginia.
Additionally, he served as Assistant U.S. Assessor, a Ulysses B. Grant presidential elector in 1868 and a Rutherford Hayes elector in 1876. As a farmer, Carskadon patented items and wrote articles that gained great attention in agricultural circles throughout the U.S.
The grant to restore the mansion comes with the stipulation that the project must satisfy certain requirements of the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office — the foundation must fill out quarterly reports and must complete the project within three years.
Garretson estimated the project will be complete in a year.
“I’m expecting to get approval ... by the end of this month,” said Garretson.
Once a letter of approval is received, it will be forwarded to the U.S. Wind Force Foundation and the money will be released, according to Garretson.
Contractor Boddy’s Construction estimated the ceiling and floor repairs at $5,949, according to Garretson.
The most recent repairs to the mansion were made in the spring and included wiring and plumbing on the first floor.
The goal is to turn the mansion into a genealogy research center with a repository for historical artifacts and documents, and the first floor is going to be used as meeting place.
The first floor will be furnished with period furniture from 1875 to the 1890s, according to Garretson.
A balance of $5,000 remains in the U.S. Wind Force historic preservation account for future distribution.
“We will apply sometime this year for the remaining $5,000 grant and hope we get awarded another grant,” said Garretson.
Money for the foundation’s Community Benefit Fund comes from Edison Mission Energy, owner and operator of Pinnacle Wind Farm at NewPage, which was jointly developed by EME and U.S. Wind Force.
The Carskadon Mansion, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Historic Landmark Registry, has three floors, a basement and 13 rooms.
For more information regarding the Mineral County Historical Foundation, go to www.mincohistfoundation.org.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.
