LEWISBURG, W.Va. — An open house for historians and history buffs will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the historic Level Tavern on US-219 at Organ Cave near Lewisburg, West Virginia.
Being hosted by Foxfire Realty and the Greenbrier Historical Society, the event will provide visitors the opportunity to explore a landmark residence of the Greenbrier Valley renowned for its architecture.
Realtor and historian David Sibray said the event will allow guests a rare chance to explore a structure that was once among the best-known in the region.
"The tavern in the 1800s was a favorite stop for travelers along the old Salt Sulphur Springs Turnpike," Sibray said, "and in the 1900s, it became a favorite of historians who wrote about the size of its rooms, which were remarkable for the period."
He said the property was described in the 1917 History of Greenbrier County as “a veritable mansion in its day, and as to things substantial and comfortable is not second to some others more palatial of these latter times.”
Taverns in the region in the 1800s were not necessarily associated with providing alcohol but with food and respite for travelers. In this case, Sibray said, many guests were en route between White Sulphur Springs and Salt Sulphur Springs.
In the 1930s, the new US-219 highway opened, diverting traffic away from the tavern, which had become chiefly a residence for the Level family by then.
Bottled water will be provided during the event, though bathroom facilities will not.
The 42-acre tavern and farm is listed for sale at $750,000. The address is 1724 Seneca Trail South, Ronceverte, WV 24970.
For more information, contact Foxfire Realty agent David Sibray at 304-575-7390.
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