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Museum and historical society offer Easton Roller Mill to city; council agrees to place acceptance on agenda
Summary
The Monongalia County Historical Society offered the Easton Roller Mill and associated land, artifacts and publications to the City of Morgantown; the Morgantown History Museum said the transfer would be its largest acquisition and council agreed to move consideration of acceptance to a future council agenda
Jason Burns, manager of the Morgantown History Museum, and Walters, treasurer of the Monongalia County Historical Society, addressed the Committee of the Whole on March 25 about the society’s offer to transfer ownership and operations of the Easton Roller Mill and related assets to the city.
Burns told council the Historical Society approached the museum in August 2024 and the museum has documentation supporting a proposed transfer; he described the mill as a multi-story structure dating to the 19th century and said it has been maintained and used for tours and events. "It will be the largest acquisition the Museum's ever made," Burns said.
Walters described the society’s decades of stewardship, maintenance practices and publications. He said the society has received annual county support of about $5,000 to help pay for student guides and publications and that ongoing operating costs for utilities and grounds have been modest. The society will include a collection of historical publications and artifacts, including wooden clock faces and other items, as part of the transfer.
Burns said an engineering survey found the mill structurally sound but identified maintenance needs such as painting, soffit repair and replacement of an exterior deck that is not currently ADA-compliant. He also said a flood wall erected by the historical society protects the structure from flooding.
Council members asked about operating logistics, volunteer training to run the mill’s machinery, and whether the property is inside city limits or could be annexed. The city attorney said the property is currently outside city limits and staff would need to review annexation options; council members noted the city can operate or own property outside its limits but annexation could be considered later if desired.
Council ultimately asked that consideration of acceptance of the Easton Roller Mill and its assets be placed on a future council agenda for formal action. No transfer or acceptance occurred at the Committee of the Whole meeting.
