Faculty Housing

In the late 1930s Concord College saw the construction of at least 3 faculty houses on Plymouth Street and 2 administrative houses on 1st Street thanks to the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA). This initiative was part of the broader New Deal programs aimed at providing employment through public works projects during the Great Depression.

The WPA buildings not only provided necessary housing for college staff but also reflected the architectural style of the period, often characterized by sturdy construction and utilitarian design. The faculty houses may have originally been constructed for the College teachers and professors but were actually used as a recruitment tool to entice administrators to accept positions by offering low rent and proximity to the college for their spouses and families. James Therin Rogers, business manager, and his family occupied two different houses during his employment. Dr. Milton C. Edge, registrar, director of admissions and director of Institutional Research, lived in one of the faculty houses. He later became vice-president, academic dean, and administrative assistant to the president. The Edward L. Masters family lived in the next faculty house. He was Director of Fine Arts and Chairman of the Music Department. Many other college administrators have occupied the college owned houses over the years.

The construction of these houses by the WPA not only provided immediate employment opportunities but also contributed to the long-term development and expansion of the campus. The buildings have since become a part of the historical fabric of Concord University, symbolizing a period of growth and resilience during challenging economic times. (Source: The Campus Beautiful - Concord University's Athens, WV Campus, concord.edu/about/athens-campus Concord University - Wikipedia.com)

These WPA-era buildings are still used today, serving various functions and standing as a testament to the university’s rich history.