The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Hibernia

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Hibernia (as built), Bethany College (WV)

Hibernia (print showing design), Bethany College (WV)

Institution Name: Bethany College (WV)
Original/Historic Place Name: Hibernia House
Location on Campus: Main St.
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):

ca. 1841	original construction; basement Unknown
ca. 1845-1847	addition of upper stories Unknown

Type of Place: Individual building
Style(s): (Glossary)
Materials:

Foundation: local sandstone; fieldstone with brick veneer exterior

Walls: brick

Roof: standing-seam tin coated with asphalt (original, house); asphalt shingle (attached apartment)

Function:

1840-2002	private residence (and boarding house)
1841-1844	other (printing office)
2002-present (2007)	president's house

Significance: architecture, education, history
Landmark designation:

National Register

Bethany Historic District (1982)

Narrative: see below
References: see below

Narrative:
Although the Hibernia has not always been a college property, it is central to the history of the Town of Bethany and to Bethany College. The property was owned by Alexander Campbell at the time the college was founded in 1840, and it was in the high basement of this house that he operated a print shop, publishing among other things The Millennial Harbinger, one of the most prominent religious periodicals to issue from a frontier press. Deed work has yet to be done at the Brooke County Courthouse to determine when Campbell moved his press from Hibernia House to Bleak House.

The upper portion of the house has served intermittently as a boarding house or private residence from the time it was built circa the mid-to-late 1840's. It has provided housing for many visitors to the Town of Bethany, Bethany College students, a sorority, faculty, presidents, and vice presidents of the college. It is currently the home of Bethany College's President Patricia Lewis Poteat.

References:

I. Bibliographic sources:

Browne, Henry J. Bethany Historic District [including Bethany College (WV)]. National Register of Historic Places designation report. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service, 1982.

Hiram Lester Papers. Accessioned items 259, 409, 432, 452, 453, 459, 475, and 476. Archives, Berry College, Mt. Berry, GA.

II. Location of other data:

University: Special Collections

SHPO

Other: Archives and Special Collections, Bethany College (WV); Brooke County Courthouse