Wildwood House Museum

The historic home of Beckley's founder, General Alfred Beckley, is open on weekends during the summer and for special pre-arranged occasions throughout the year for tours.  Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, the original double log structure was built in 1836. Typifying the mountaineer spirit in the truest sense, the house became know as “Wildwood”.  In 1850 a kitchen, dining room and porches were added. The entire structure was then covered with clapboard and painted white. Lovingly restored and filled with period antiques, many owned by the Beckley family, “Wildwood” played a significant part in early Raleigh County history. In its rooms, Beckley spent many an hour pondering the future of the area, and in 1850, he drew up a bill proposing the formation of Raleigh County. The General Assembly of Virginia approved the bill and Beckley was made first Clerk of the Circuit Court.       After the Civil War, General Beckley devoted the remainder of his life to the betterment of the town, serving as lawyer, preacher, teacher, politician and peacemaker. He died May 26, 1888; just 86 years to the day from his birth and was put to rest in sight of his beloved “Wildwood”.