The MacFarland Hubbard House: Its Renovation (Exterior and Carriage House)
In 1998 the Humanities Council purchased the historic MacFarland-Hubbard House for its headquarters, and began the renovation and restoration process. With support from the Kanawha Valley Historical and Preservation Society, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and scores of individual, foundation, and corporate contributors, the property was renovated according to federal standards for historic preservation, with deed covenants guaranteeing the historic integrity of the property. Initial restoration was completed in early 2000.
Exterior – Front
The MacFarland-Hubbard House was built in the Greek Revival style that was popular in the decades prior to the Civil War. The massive columns and triangular pediment are features of the style made to resemble ancient Greek temples.
The columns are original to the house. One had to have extensive repair. All restoration work was done by West Virginia companies and craftspeople, with the exception of the keystone mason.
Sunroom addition
Sunroom after pergola was added
The Crowleys had made extensive renovations in the 1920s, adding the sunroom, the porte cochère, and the current carriage house, which replaced an earlier building. The original second-story gallery on the front of the house was removed and replaced with the existing balcony. Leaded glass windows flanking the front door were likely also added during this period.
Porte cochère
The yard was raised approximately two feet when the Boulevard changed. It is known that this is one of two houses that did not flood in the 1861 Great Flood.
The gardens and trees were preserved to the best extent possible. Following the Council’s purchase of the home, donated boxwoods were added to the front, and other landscaping was tailored to the period design of the house. In 2011-2012 the Council did extensive landscaping work, installing a landscape plan designed by Triad Engineers. A flagstone pathway was installed, making the front and back yards more accessible. This work restored historic flower beds, added a new exposed aggregate driveway to replace a gravel drive, and improved drainage around the house’s foundation. The brick sidewalk was regrouted in 2002 and again in 2011, but the same bricks that came with the house remain.
Flagstone path
Garden and pergola
Mindful of the stewardship of this historic property, the Council agreed that no structure would be built in front of the house, and that the parking lot in the back (which was a wooded area) would not be seen from the front of the house.
Exterior – Rear
The original footprint of the house was essentially a two-story square. The first floor of the rear ell addition was constructed prior to 1874, as it appears on a map dated that year; the second floor was added in the 1940s, when the Hubbards purchased the house.
Rear entrance with lattice
Rear entrance with walk and fig tree
When the Council purchased the property, the back porch was fully enclosed with latticework and had a wooden floor. It was restored to fit the original plan and was designed to be accessible.
A parking lot and shed replaced the rear wooded lot, but was designed to be hidden from street view, to preserve the historic integrity of the property.
In 2008, a side porch and pergola structure were added to increase programming space.
Carriage House
Carriage House
The carriage house was constructed circa 1923, during the Crowleys’ ownership. It was constructed as a garage with an apartment on the second floor, and replaced a previous true carriage house. When the Council purchased the property in 1998, the carriage house was being used as an apartment building. Restoration of the carriage house building was completed in 2003, providing meeting space downstairs and offices upstairs.
Carriage House meeting room
The MacFarland-Hubbard House’s Legacy
In 2012 our preservation efforts won an Outstanding Preservation Award from the Charleston Area Alliance. The property attracts visitors and guests interested in history, historic preservation, “green” and eco-friendly restoration, new uses for historic buildings, architecture, and horticulture.
Acquisition of the MacFarland-Hubbard House allowed the Humanities Council to expand local programming and gave a face to the humanities in West Virginia, while providing a working headquarters for the administration of programs statewide.
You may make a donation to support our stewardship of this historic property.
The House: Its Renovation (First Floor)
The House: Its Renovation (Second Floor)
