The Wheeling Artisan Center Then and Now

It was decided by vote. At least partially. By calling the “heritage hotline” in 1995, the public of Wheeling could let their voices be heard regarding what the facade of the then being-restored Artisan Center would look like. The first option was white, to represent “a bold new beginning” for the city. This would place emphasis on brightening the city and lean into the “monumental” size and purpose of the building. The second option was a soft yellow, which would harken back to the paint-job the building received when it was the GEE Electric building in 1926. This would keep in line with the historic accuracy of the 1926-style exterior the renovation was keeping, and feature accent painting on the window frames. The final option was unpainted brick, which would restore the building to its original ascetic from its construction in the 1800s. This option would also feature accent painting on the window frames, serving as artistic contrast to the warm-tones brick.

It is obvious what the public voted on, but if you don’t look up too much when downtown, the historic-focused brick option was the selected facade. All those years later, this choice still stands testament to the value of history in downtown. With 30 years of Wheeling Heritage being celebrated this year, let’s take a look back at all that has been done to make the Artisan Center as cool as it is today.

The Building Itself

“The clopping of horse hooves and the shouts of merchants hawking the wares were common sounds heard at the corner of 14th and Main streets in Wheeling in 1885,” reads The Sunday News Register. The scene was set for what it would have felt like to walk past what we now know and love as The Wheeling Artisan Center, way back when it was first built. Henry List built the property in 1855, adding to it in 1875, and it is believed that the building started as a wholesale distribution center. It was likely used for the trades List worked in, wool and pig iron. The building featured “Italianate design with brick which includes cast iron ornaments by Wheeling Foundry of Sweeny and Co.” Since the 1800s the building has also been home to Gee Electric Co., a barber shop, a typewriter sales and repair office, and several other small businesses.

“Wheeling Set to be Handcrafts Hotbed”

In 1995, The Wheeling News Register had an article about the hot-new economic boom of handmade goods, and how they would be popping up more and more. One place they highlighted was the Artisan Center, which was slated to be opened the following spring. “The center will feature crafts made by residents and voting artisans.” That statement is as true then as it is now, as the Artisan Center shop features goods made right here in Wheeling and all over the state. It’s also as true then as it is now that the Artisan Center understands the value and skill of West Virginian craft-makers. The tradition set early, of valuing handcrafted goods, continues through Handmade Holiday, which has taken place in the Artisan Center since 2018, and is still going strong!

Made in Wheeling

Through the years, the Artisan Center has platformed the history of Wheeling in many exciting ways. In 1997, Ann Nelson, then conservation coordinator for Wheeling Heritage, linked up with Wheeling-native Margo Joseph Krager, who specialized in reproduction of historic fabric for movies, TV, historic reenactors, and quilters alike. Through this friendship, Nelson was able to get reproductions of Stifel calico fabric made! Nelson also was able to get these reproductions sold at the Artisan Center. While they are not sold there anymore, much to this author’s sadness, there are still so many ways history is being preserved by Wheeling Heritage today. You can still see a collection of pieces from Wheeling’s history on display, from beer bottles to bed frames.

Over the past two years, the Artisan Center has been undergoing renovations on the first and second floor. Wheeling Heritage celebrated the recently completed renovations with a grand re-opening ceremony earlier this week. In 1995, executive director of the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corp. said, “The Artisan Center is an appropriate catalyst.” Today, Wheeling Heritage utilizes the slogan “We are a catalyst for the revitalization of Wheeling.” While much has changed between then and now, Wheeling Heritage, and The Artisan Center, still retain the same ever-important goal of spotlighting Wheeling’s remarkable history and encouraging its vibrant future. You can learn more about the history of the Artisan Center and what Wheeling Heritage is doing today here!

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