Levi Shinn House, building in West Virginia, United States
The Levi Shinn House is an early log dwelling in Shinnston, West Virginia, built in 1778 and recognized as the oldest standing log structure in North Central West Virginia. The building features a simple rectangular design with a large central chimney that serves fireplaces in the surrounding rooms, and renovation work has exposed portions of its original log walls.
The house was built in 1778 by Levi Shinn as a simple log dwelling, and the town of Shinnston later developed around it. In 1972, the Shinnston Historical Association purchased the building to preserve it, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places the following year.
The house carries the name of Levi Shinn, its builder, and remains deeply connected to how Shinnston developed as a town. Locals view it as a symbol of their early settlement heritage and a physical link to their community's origins.
The house is not open daily and requires advance appointment arrangements with the Shinnston Historical Association to visit. The first floor has been converted into a small museum space where you can view artifacts and items belonging to the Shinn family.
Recent renovation work uncovered old newspaper scraps that had been used as insulation between the walls and revealed an old well beneath the foundation. These discoveries offer glimpses into the resourcefulness of early frontier families in keeping their homes functional and warm.
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