Beachamp – Newman Museum

This historical museum building was built in the 1830s by Alfred Beauchamp from local handmade bricks.  Alfred was the grandson of the first settler in Wirt County, WV around 1796.  This building served as Wirt County's first courthouse.  The building was purchased by the Daughters of the American Pioneers using funds donated by citizens interested in preserving the rich history of Wirt County, WV.

Housed in the historic old landmark are priceless relics and memorabilia of early life in Wirt County. Items include the original county seal, weapons, tools, and personal possessions. The desk of Mr. Alfred Beauchamp and a large square piano that belonged to Elizabeth Beauchamp Baldwin grace the Newman room. A cradle made by a Newark furniture maker in 1862, a high wooden bed made when ropes were used instead of springs and its low trundle bed, also with rope “springs”, and an unusual copper bathtub are among the items in the upstairs bedroom. Other rooms display dolls, cupboards, old cooking utensils, cobbler’s bench, glassware, mannequins in costume and rooms of period furniture. Recent contributions to the museum include a World War II uniform that belonged to the late Jim Roberts, owner of Robert’s Store. The uniform, a typewriter and a wooden telephone from the historical old store was donated by Pat Roberts.

The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.