MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – A new chapter in the life of the Hotel Morgan began today when the governor, investors and local leaders cut the ribbon following a $15 million renovation.
Governor Jim Justice spoke at the event and said this is an important part of tourism development and support of the community.
“It will employ significant amounts of people,” Justice said,” But not only that, we got to have this for people to see and come, tourism grow and support the university.”
The Thrash Group worked through the $15 million renovation and Charlestowne Hotels will manage the day-to-day operations.
General manager Robert Mickey said the goal was to restore the the hotel, while upgrading rooms and dining options. Rooms, meeting spaces and ballrooms have been completely redone- plumbing, electrical and finishes. However, main areas like the lobby have rehabilitated to preserve the 1925 look of the property.
“The woodwork you see is original to the hotel,” Mickey said,” These brass handrails and stairs go back to when the hotel opened in 1925.”
During the renovation workers found and carefully removed a hand-painted canvass mural and recovered other pieces of art. Based on the buildings on the canvass Mickey believes it’s from the 1960’s.
“We carefully removed that hand-painted canvass mural and we’re having that redone now with several pieces of art work that we’ll put in some of our meeting spaces,” Mickey said,” As a homage and respect to the Hotel Morgan.”
According to Mickey, some of the 95 years of hotel history was recovered during the renovation as well.
“Meeting and business cards, campaign cards from back in the 30’s and 40’s behind walls,” Mickey said,” We found some dollar bills that were from the 1930’s.”
One the first guests sine reopening was a couple who was married there more than 40 years ago. Mickey and his staff want to continue to offer the level of service and experience for others to mark life events.
“The response from the community has been amazing,” Mickey said,” Our vision is to simply give back to the community, partner with the community and in doing so we believe the community will once again support Hotel Morgan.”
The hotel has 81 guest rooms, two suites, two ballrooms, meeting spaces and the Anvil and Ax.
Since 2019, the Tourism Development Act tax credit program has received more applications than the first decade of the program alone. Recent applications represent more than $250 million in investment in West Virginia’s tourism industry.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved in this project for their investment and contributions to the state and local economies,” said Secretary Mitch Carmichael of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development. “Through this project, we are providing real jobs for hardworking West Virginians and seeing direct growth in one of our state’s most vital industries.”