I've seen other threads here about the demolition-happy city of Wheeling. So I was interested to see what you all thought of the destruction of the landmark Mount de Chantal Academy in Wheeling. Demolition began November 7, 2011. As of today the site is completely barren save two minor and historically insignificant buildings.

 

An introduction:

Established in Wheeling in 1848 by the Sisters of the Visitation, Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy relocated to its present site in 1865. "The Mount" -- as it is locally and affectionately referred to -- was founded in order to educate girls of all faiths. After 160 years of rigorous academics and a focus on fine arts, Mount de Chantal graduated its last class in May of 2008.

 

"High upon a slope majestic, guarded from above," begins the school's alma mater. Indeed, the splendid campus graces a Wheeling hilltop of nearly 30 acres. The main building is made up of three parts: the school; the front entrance, parlors, and chapel; and the convent.

 

The chapel on the first floor is truly the jewel of Mount de Chantal. It is an inspiring place with hand-carved altars, large stained glass windows on three walls, an organ that's been in use since 1867, balconies, electrified gas lights, marquetry floors, and the beloved stained glass dome. There is another set of three stained glass windows in the second floor Music Hall. Like those in the chapel, they are from the Mayer Company in Munich.

 

The Mount is a monument to local materials and craftsmanship: Wheeling tin ceilings and walls, bricks made on site of local clay, and two Hobbs Brockunier chandeliers. The school also boasted three paintings by George Peter Alexander Healy.

 

Local historian Margaret Brennan commented that the Mount's "Spanish-influenced architecture is unique to Wheeling, even West Virginia." The mission-style architecture is truly striking, especially the parapets that decorate the building.

 

Notable events in Mount history include assistance from Boss Tweed in campaigning for funds to finish construction of the school; letters of gratitude from Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee for establishment of the "Southern Fund" financial aid for post-Civil War Southern pupils; and a 1940 visit from Eleanor Roosevelt.

 

In 1978 the U.S. government declared Mount de Chantal worth preserving by listing it with the National Register of Historic Places. As Cardinal Gibbons said circa 1875, "To be in Wheeling without coming out to Mount de Chantal would be like visiting Rome without going to St. Peter's."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wish the quality of the images were better.

What's happening in Wheeling is a preservationist's nightmare. I haven't seen anything like it in my lifetime.  The whole city is being demolished for parking lots, from blocks in the East Wheeling Historic District, to blocks downtown, to Mount de Chantal. What's worse is that Wheeling is one of the most historic cities west of Pittsburgh. It was a treasure trove of Victorian and Italianate antebellum architecture until maybe the last decade. 

Ugh!  Awful!

No kidding BTF. I've been following Wheeling for quite a while and have covered much of the city, but every trip back takes me to yet another hole in the ground. I tried to get access to the Mount, which Wheeling Hospital bought... for no reason. They leveled it and have no plans to do anything with the land. They were actually quite hostile to the media and photographers in general. How did you manage the interiors?

Were the fixtures and windows pulled out and saved/sold? 

How did you manage the interiors?

 

I was able to tour the Mount a week before Alumnae Day in April 2010, only about a couple of weeks before the Sisters who owned the property were relocated to Georgetown and Wheeling Hospital as the prospective (and eventual) buyer started providing security for the site and disallowing access.

 

Were the fixtures and windows pulled out and saved/sold?

 

I'm told that most fixtures and windows were salvaged. However, one of the salvage companies divulged that the demolition was moved up and they were not permitted to finish the salvage work. Presumably to quieten those who opposed demolition.

 

Murals in the chapel thought to be done by GPA Healy were exposed to the elements during demolition and ultimately destroyed.

 

The attached is not my own photo, but shows one of the murals during demolition.

 

More photographs and information can be found at http://www.savethemount.com

Tragic. In my opinion, speaks volumes about the leadership in Wheeling that they allow this kind of destruction to take place.  It's one thing to tear down an old building.  Some of the buildings torn down in Wheeling have been pieces of art that anyone with two eyes could see were beautiful.

Here is a link to my blog, where you can see pictures of the buildings in the East Wheeling Historic District that are being demolished:

 

http://www.jonathondenson.com/2011/07/rest-in-peace-large-section-of-east.html

Tragic. In my opinion, speaks volumes about the leadership in Wheeling that they allow this kind of destruction to take place.

 

After getting the runaround from several city officials in trying to get information on the Mount situation pre-demolition, such as had a demolition permit been applied for, one has to wonder if Wheeling's leaders merely allowed the destruction or did they actual make efforts to bring it about?

 

Have you seen this?

http://theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/564819/Proposed-Field-Is--Public-Use-.html

 

It's one thing to tear down an old building.  Some of the buildings torn down in Wheeling have been pieces of art that anyone with two eyes could see were beautiful.

 

I agree 100 percent. Two eyes were all that was required to oppose the demolition of so much of Wheeling's history and identity.

 

I like your blog, btw =)

Repulsive.  One need not be Catholic to be saddened by such beautiful buildings destroyed for no apparent reason.  Shameful!

This is awful