History lives on at Contentment

ANSTED — A local staple during the summer months, the Contentment Historical Complex, has once again opened up its doors for locals and visitors alike to allow them to take a step back through time.

Contentment has been open on most Fridays and Saturdays in June. And Contentment — the home of the Fayette County Historical Society — will be open every Friday and Saturday through August from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Saturday, June 24, a special ceremony for the donation of historical items will be staged at 3 p.m.

The complex features the main Imboden House, which was the home of George Imboden, a colonel of the 18th Virginia Cavalry during the Civil War who was eventually the first mayor of Ansted and president of the Fayette County Commission.

The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Also on the grounds are the George Eads Museum and the Ivan and Grace Steele One-Room Schoolhouse.

Les Thomas, president of the Fayette County Historical Society, says the society is always in search of new members and/or volunteers to help keep projects afloat. Financial donations are very welcome, too.

A decline in coal severance taxes in recent years resulted in grant funding for the organization drying up, Thomas said. "We have no outside funding source except for the people who come through the door," he said. "We are just strapped like any other (organization)."

Admission at Contentment is $6 per person.

"This is a volunteer group," Thomas said. "We're trying to do everything we can to keep it going."

"We'd like to get some young people involved," said longtime historical society stalwart Ann Skaggs.

According to Skaggs, public service hours are now currently available for high school students. Interested students can check with hostess Donna Bibb for details on Fridays or Saturdays at the Rte. 60 complex.

For more information on joining the historical society, to ask questions, to volunteer or make a donation to bolster Contentment and the Fayette County Historical Society, call Thomas at 304-437-1488.

To send in a membership via mail, supply your name, address, the year, and a fee of $20 for single membership or $35 for two in the same family. Also, indicate any specific historical interests you have, as well as suggestions for improvements to the grounds, buildings or meeting structure. It can be sent to Fayette County Historical Society, P.O. Box 702, Ansted, WV 25812.

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The following text is taken from an informational display located on the Contentment grounds:

Contentment — home of George W. Imboden

After the Civil War, George W. Imboden lived here with his wife, Mary Tyree, the daughter of William Tyree of Tyree Tavern. When the war began, Imboden enlisted in the Staunton Artillery in Augusta County, Virginia, where he then resided. He subsequently became colonel of the 18th Virginia Cavalry when it was organized in December 1862. The regiment was assigned to the brigade of his better-known brother, Gen. John D. Imboden, and served in West Virginia, on the Gettysburg Campaign, and in the 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaigns.

George Imboden married Angia M. Dickinson after his wife Mary died, and they added one room to the house and extended the front porch. Angia Imboden named the place Contentment.

During the Civil War, an elderly couple named Woolwine occupied the house, which was constructed around 1830 and had six rooms. An attached kitchen burned and was not rebuilt.

The Imboden brothers promoted the industrial development of both Virginias. George Imboden served as director of the Gauley Mountain Coal Company, while John Imboden traveled to England to secure investments in area coal mining. Between 1870 and his death in 1922, George Imboden served in the West Virginia House of Delegates (1876), as president of the Fayette County Commission (1881-85), as first mayor of Ansted (1891-92) — he also laid out the streets — as town recorder (1891-1907), and president of the National Bank of Ansted. When he died, he was buried in Westlake Cemetery in his Confederate uniform.

— Email: skeenan@register-herald.com