The Marshall County Historical Society announces formation of the Eighty Seven Club for the purpose of acquiring the smaller 19th Century Cockayne Farmhouse at 1105 Wheeling Avenue and reuniting it to the Cockayne Farmstead.

The last two years have seen amazing progress at the Cockayne property:

2008: Acquisition of the South Lawn – Completion of the Front Façade – Hiring of a Part-time Program Director – Gift of a Website - www.cockaynefarm.com

2009: Inclusion in Sebak Documentary “Right Beside the River” – Over 6000 pages of documents scanned – Summer Intern and Collaboration with the Colleges – Creation of a “Site Plan” -Completion of the remaining Three Facades – Creation of the “Cockayne Farmstead Historic District” by the City of Glen Dale

The proposed SITE PLAN for the Cockayne Farmstead sets forth a joint vision for this property. And because of these achievements, the Farmstead is receiving major attention statewide. The farmhouse was featured in the 2010 calendar issued by the WV Division of Culture and History, the Society received the Pioneer America Society’s most prestigious historic preservation award in October, and the community was lauded for its undertaking of this preservation effort in an editorial in the Wheeling News Register in November. The Cockayne Farmstead Historic District is comprised of the farmhouse, its south lawn, the adjacent Adena Indian Burial Mound and the smaller 19th Century Cockayne house. This smaller house now serves as the administrative office for the project, and it has been furnished entirely with donated materials provided by the community. BUT the Society does not own the smaller house, and there is an outstanding loan of $87,500 needed for its purchase. This is a major goal for 2010 - to acquire the smaller Cockayne House and reunite it to the Farmhouse. Earlier this week, at the regular meeting of Glen Dale City Council, the Society announced formation of the Eighty-Seven Club, our plan to pay off the principal and gain clear title to the smaller 19th Century house. The Eighty-Seven Club is based on a simple premise:

We are seeking 87 businesses, organizations or individuals to donate $1,000 each toward that goal.

Members of the Eighty Seven Club will be listed on this web page and on an engraved memorial plaque within the house, and each $1000 donation will be immediately applied to the principal. As the Marshall County Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, any contribution is tax-deductible.

As involved citizens, we understand the importance of investing in our community. Whether it is with time, money or some other resource, we do this to benefit the area in which we live. The Eighty Seven Club is one of those opportunities where we can join our friends and neighbors to improve our community.