Morgantown Aims to Reopen Historic Easton Roller Mill in June

The city recently acquired the 150-year-old landmark and plans to restore public access with new deck, ramp, and parking.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:06pm

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An impressionistic, out-of-focus photograph depicting the weathered stone exterior of an old mill building surrounded by blurred greenery, conveying a sense of nostalgia and the passage of time.The historic Easton Roller Mill, a cherished landmark in Morgantown, West Virginia, will soon reopen to the public after years of limited access.Morgantown Today

The city of Morgantown, West Virginia has voted to accept an $87,440 bid to restore the Easton Roller Mill, a nationally registered historic landmark recently acquired by the city. The project will add a new deck, ADA-compliant ramp, paved parking, and a sidewalk to improve public access to the 150-year-old mill building. The city hopes to reopen the site to the public by mid-June.

Why it matters

The Easton Roller Mill is an important piece of Morgantown's history, having been built in 1867. After being operated by the Monongalia Historical Society for over 40 years, the city has now taken ownership of the property and is working to restore and reopen it to the public. This project represents the city's commitment to preserving local historical landmarks and making them accessible to the community.

The details

The restoration work will include removing the existing deck and constructing a larger deck and ADA-compliant ramp, paving the parking area and creating an accessible parking space, and building a sidewalk connecting the parking lot to the mill building. The city is using a combination of grant funding and $27,000 from the Monongalia Historical Society's account to cover the $87,440 project cost.

  • The Easton Roller Mill was originally constructed in 1867.
  • The Monongalia Historical Society oversaw the site for over 40 years until 2025.
  • The city of Morgantown acquired the 0.45-acre property in August 2025.
  • Morgantown City Council voted 6-1 to accept the restoration bid on April 8, 2026.
  • The city hopes to complete the project and reopen the mill to the public by mid-June 2026.

The players

Henry Mack

The Philadelphia carpenter who constructed the Easton Roller Mill in 1867.

Henry Koontz

The individual who purchased 600 acres near Morgantown and hired Mack to build the mill in 1867.

Estella Ley Pickenpaugh

The person who willed the mill property to the Monongalia Historical Society around 1980.

Monongalia Historical Society

The organization that oversaw the Easton Roller Mill site and organized events there for over 40 years until 2025.

Morgantown History Museum

The museum that will operate the Easton Roller Mill as an extension of its facilities once the restoration is complete.

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What they’re saying

“Certainly we will lean into historical grants.”

— Jamie Miller, Morgantown City Manager

“In addition to the monies from the [Monongalia Historical Society], over the past year we have received a number of foundation and other grants specifically for this project; including the most recent grant from the West Virginia Department of Tourism Cultural Facilities Fast Track Program. We are allocating $66,000 from these grants for this project.”

— Vincent Kitch, Director of Arts and Cultural Development

What’s next

The city is conducting a full evaluation of the mill and surrounding property to inform future restoration plans. Officials have also expressed interest in annexing the property into the city limits.

The takeaway

The restoration of the historic Easton Roller Mill demonstrates Morgantown's commitment to preserving its local heritage and making important landmarks accessible to the public. This project, funded through grants and the city's partnership with the former Monongalia Historical Society, will breathe new life into a 150-year-old landmark and provide the community with a unique historical attraction.