Camp Washington-Carver Complex

Camp Washington-Carver Complex, formerly known as West Virginia 4-H Camp for Negroes, is a historic camp and national historic district located near Clifftop, Fayette County, West Virginia. The district encompasses four contributing buildings and two contributing structures, the most notable being the Great Chestnut Lodge, a log building of unusual size and structural character. It is the largest log structure built entirely of chestnut in West Virginia. It was built in 1941–1942, and is a 1 1/2 story building in the form of a modified Latin cross with a gabled block (Assembly Hall) and a gabled wing or ell (Dining Hall). Also on the property are a log cottage (1940), two frame dormitories (1942), a water tower (1940), and a small pond (1940). The camp was established by an act of the West Virginia legislature in 1937, and developed as a project of the Works Progress Administration starting in 1939.[2]

Camp Washington-Carver Complex
Great Chestnut Lodge in July 2014
Camp Washington-Carver Complex is located in West Virginia
Camp Washington-Carver Complex
Camp Washington-Carver Complex is located in the United States
Camp Washington-Carver Complex
LocationCounty Route 11/3, near Clifftop, West Virginia
Coordinates38°0′36″N 80°58′14″W
Area30 acres (12 ha)
Built1939
ArchitectWest Virginia State Board of Control
Architectural styleLog construction
NRHP reference No.80004017[1]
Added to NRHPJune 20, 1980

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.[1]

History

In 1928, research by Jakes E. Banks and Lulu B. Moore found there were 44 counties with 4-H camps for whites and none with camps for African Americans. John W. Davis, the president of West Virginia State College helped lead efforts to gain state and federal support for the camp. It opened in 1942. Camps in the state were desegregated eventually. The campsite is now a cultural arts center.[3]

A historical marker commemorates its history. The site hosts The Appalachian String Band Music Festival.[4]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. Rodney S. Collins and C.E. Turley (April 1980). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Camp Washington-Carver Complex" (PDF). State of West Virginia, West Virginia Division of Culture and History, Historic Preservation. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
  3. "Camp Washington Carver Clifftop, WV - New River Gorge National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)".
  4. "W.Va. Week in History- Camp Washington Carver". July 23, 2022.


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