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About the Council

The West Virginia Humanities Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing West Virginians with lifelong educational opportunities in the humanities. The Council achieves this goal through awarding grants and through its own programs. To accomplish its statewide mission, the Council receives support from the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Office of the West Virginia Secretary of Education and the Arts; and foundations, corporations, and individuals throughout the Mountain State and beyond. The Humanities Council welcomes your support toward meeting this fundraising challenge. Naming opportunities are available. All gifts are tax-deductible as permitted by law. Please contact us.


 

 

Through the Years



Hubbard House pre-1947

 

Front of Hubbard House during renovations


Hubbard House after renovations

 


Back of Hubbard House
pre-renovation




Back of Hubbard after renovations

 

 

 

The Hubbard House


Image courtesy of AC Designs

The MacFarland-Hubbard House was built in 1836 and is the third oldest house in Charleston. It survives from a time when Andrew Jackson was president and Stonewall Jackson was a Lewis County schoolboy.

The two-story brick residence was home to four different families - the MacFarlands, Rubys, Crowleys and Hubbards, and is regarded as one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in Charleston. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The last owner, Elizabeth Hubbard, died in 1997, leaving the historic property to Charleston's First Presbyterian Church. The house is situated on a prime commercial site, and its preservation became a matter of concern among historical organizations and history-minded citizens.

In early 1999, the West Virginia Humanities Council purchased the property for its headquarters. With the support of the Kanawha Valley Historical and Preservation Society, the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and scores of individual, foundation, and corporate contributors, the property was renovated to high historic standards in 1999-2000.

The adjoining carriage house was restored in 2002-03. The Hubbard House is now a working humanities center and a historic showcase. The Council uses the second floor for offices, welcomes visitors to the formal historic areas, and maintains the carriage house for meetings and programs.

Stepping Up to a Challenge

In 2004, the Humanities Council Board of Directors launched a campaign to match challenge funds to complete restoration of the MacFarland-Hubbard House, and to retire the remaining debt on the property. The project included the historic reconstruction of the Jefferds Library in memory of the late Joseph C. Jefferds, Jr., a former board president and a leader in the acquisition of the house. The Jefferds Library is a substantial addition to the public rooms and houses the Council's growing collection of West Virginia books. The Board of Directors voted unanimously to undertake this campaign in response to a fundraising challenge from Triana Energy. The challenge, in the amount of $70,000, called for a three-to-one match from the Council.

Community Support

Having purchased the property for $362,500 and restored it at a cost of nearly $900,000 more, the Humanities Council has an investment of $1.25 million in its historic headquarters. This investment was made possible by generous community support, and through the hard work of board and committee members, staff, volunteers, and contributing individuals and organizations.

This challenge campaign brought us the opportunity to retire the mortgage debt and comple work on the property. In this final phase of major renovation, the Council recently completed removing and replacing the tile roofing of the house, and construction of the Jefferds Library which involved the expansion of the current library nook to the original full-size room it replaced in a remodeling of the house prior to Council ownership. The campaign goal allowed for library restoration at $50,000 and the mortgage retirement at $250,000.

We succeeded in paying off the mortgage in February 2007. A mortgage-burning celebration was held on West Virginia Day, Wednesday, June 20, at 5:30 p.m. Retiring the mortgage has put the Humanities Council on a stronger financial footing and allows an immediate increase in program and grant services. Relieved of the mortgage burden, the Council will have more than $55,000 yearly to add to its programs and grants.

The Council’s work continues in its stewardship of this significant historic property.

Campaign Impact

In 2009, the West Virginia Humanities Council celebrates its 35th Anniversary and a of funding and initiating statewide programming in the humanities. The Council's success is directly related to its acquisition of the MacFarland-Hubbard House, which provides a solid cornerstone of financial stability. Now the Council has enhanced its ability to serve West Virginians by securing a debt-free headquarters. The success of the challenge campaign has allowed for the expansion of programs and grants and the continued improvement of the Council's historic headquarters.


Why your support matters?


• Your gift is an investment in - and for some of you a renewed commitment to - one of West Virginia's historic landmarks.
• Portions of gifts were matched, helping to bring an additional $70,000 to the cause.
• Gifts supported renovation of the Jefferds Library, a lasting tribute to Joseph C. Jefferds, Jr., a community leader, historian, and book lover, who was committed to the Council's success and to Hubbard House preservation.
• Your gift makes Council programs and grants possible. With the completion of the challenge campaign, more than $55,000 in annual funds are freed for the work of the West Virginia Humanities Council. Council services reach statewide, strengthening communities, schools, libraries, museums and other organizations that cater to children and adults of all ages.
• Your investment allows us to maintain and improve the Hubbard House and its surroundings.

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Adobe Reader Download Site Campaign Brochure Donation Card
e Challeng~ Campaign

Recognition Opportunities

Dedication Levels

~ Naming of Humanities Center at the Hubbard House $200,000
~ Naming of the Carriage House $100,000
~ Garden and Grounds $50,000
~ Offices (four remaining) each @ $10,000

Program Office
Finance Office
Operations Office
First Floor Office

Hubbard House Prints (unframed) by William D. "Doug" Goebel - Limited number: *Given by request to first 100 donors at this level - $1,000

*Donors interested in receiving the print should contact the Council right away at 304-346-8500.


Two-year or three-year pledges are accepted for all recognition opportunities.

As with the original Hubbard House preservation campaign, dedication of the humanities center, garden and grounds, or rooms in the Hubbard House will be permanently recognized on the site as well as in all subsequent recognition materials pertaining to the Hubbard House Challenge Campaign. All donations to the Hubbard House Challenge Campaign, at any level, will be recognized publicly by the West Virginia Humanities Council. The West Virginia Humanities Council is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent of the law.


1310 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, WV 25301

Phone 304-346-8500
Fax 304-346-8504



This organization is registered with the Office of the Secretary of State. For information, contact Secretary of State, Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305. Registration does not imply endorsement.