Shepherd University recently received a $34,419 grant from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History to restore and renovate the Entler-Weltzheimer House, otherwise known as the Yellow House, located on High Street adjacent to Snyder Hall and the Byrd Science Center. (submitted)

Shepherd University recently received a $34,419 grant from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History to restore and renovate the Entler-Weltzheimer House, otherwise known as the Yellow House, located on High Street adjacent to Snyder Hall and the Byrd Science Center.

The grant will be matched from Shepherd’s capital budget, for a total of $68,838. Project leaders are hoping to replace the roof, repair the foundation and remove the modern dormer over the front door with the funds. Shepherd has owned the former residence, which was built in the late 18th century, since 1926. Since then, it has been used as a sorority house and a domestic science classroom and is currently used for storage.

The structure is one of the oldest structures in Shepherdstown, dating as far back as the 1790s. It is believed to be the oldest log cabin built in Shepherdstown and occupies a site where Fort Shepherd once stood during the French and Indian War and was a part of the first mixed-race community in Shepherdstown.

Dan Yanna, director of facilities management, and Keith Alexander, coordinator of the Historic Preservation Program, will serve as project directors.

Alexander said that one possible vision for the house is for it to be used as a living laboratory for historic preservation students to work on and to give tours of the residence.