Public invited to open house Oct. 15 at Wyoming County landmark

ITMANN, W.Va. — Foxfire Realty and the Wyoming County Historical Society will host an open house for the public from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Oct. 15, 2022, at the historic Itmann Company Store near Mullens, West Virginia.

The free event will include building tours, a meet-and-greet, and several speaking programs featuring state historians, who will discuss the state’s history and that of the building.

Foxfire Realty agents David Sibray (left) and Randy Burdette prepare for an open house at the Itmann Company Store.

On the National Register of Historic Places, the stone-built store-and-office complex commissioned by I.T. Mann for the Pocahontas Fuel Company is considered one of the most noteworthy coal-mining era landmarks in the U.S.

Built by noted architect Alex B. Mahood, the company store and coal company offices was the center of the community of Itmann, at least until the U.S. Post Office moved out of the complex more than a decade ago.

Jim Cook, president of the Wyoming County Historical Society, says he looks forward to providing visitors the opportunity to tour the historic building.

Sibray tests the acoustics in the store’s large main room before the open house. Many artists visit the building.

“It’s been a long time since most people have had the chance to see inside,” Cook said, adding that he’s looking forward to hearing tales of the past from former residents.

“We’re encouraging people to bring their memories and any memorabilia they may have. Hopefully, we’ll all have a chance to share some memories.”

Featured speakers at the event will include Aaron Parsons, director of the West Virginia State Archives, who will speak at 11 a.m. on collecting the history of the state’s coalfields, and historian Patrick Corcoran, who will speak at 1 p.m. on the architecture of the building and other structures in the coalfields.

David Sibray, a preservation consultant and agent for Foxfire Realty, has listed the property for sale at $499,000. Sibray says grants and tax credits will be available to help restore the structure.

“The possibilities for the development of this building are better than ever,” Sibray said.

“ATV trails, improving internet capacity, and the Coalfields Expressway—all point to a new potential for Wyoming County and this incredible building.”

Sibray said that, as with many historic structures with which he works, he organizes open houses and other cultural events while he has the opportunity.

Itmann is a 35-minute drive from I-77 at Beckley via WV-121, the Coalfields Expressway.