Betsy Sweeny: Saving Old Buildings in Wheeling, WV

Betsy Sweeny and her home restoration project have been featured on Cheap Old Houses and Magnolia Network's new show, "In With the Old." As an architectural historian for Wheeling Heritage, she uses her home as an example to give insight and encouragement to those considering a restoration project of their own.
Wheeling Heritage: wheelingherita...
Betsy Sweeny: betsysweeny.com

[@terrynorlo3196]

Good job, Betsy 👏. I was raised in wheeling, and i have a lot of family in and around the area. I rebelled when I was 15 and gave my parents a hard way to go till I was sixteen. I used to push them to try harder for us kids. 1 day my dad called me into the garage for a talk. He said since he and I couldn't get along either he was going to leave my mom and my brothers and sisters Or I had to leave. 2 weeks after that conversation with him. He called me into the garage once more gave me $500 and offered a bus ticket to anywhere in the country. I never did look back because I was afraid that he would look at me as being weak. My daughter came to me about a year ago and told me that she was chatting with my sisters on Facebook. She showed them to me. I didn't say anything and my daughter never told them who she was My younger sister did say that my daughter looked very familiar. I'm in my mid-fifties now. My kids are grown. I'm married. I have a beautiful home in San Diego, California. I'm almost to the end of a beautiful career. Maybe 1 day I'll take a short drive through wheeling. West Virginia, who knows. Maybe I'll just come home.

[@steve19811]

Beautiful architecture and beautiful presenter......

[@lifebehindbars395]

My wife and I are moving to Wheeling at the end of the year or beginning of next year. We would love to have a house to rehab there. We won’t need financing and I’m an ex framer and construction superintendent, so have some experience in construction. I’ll be in contact when we get closer to moving. We love those old Victorian houses.

[@sula1529]

How did it go?

[@somethingsomething404]

Hope the move went well

[@ogadlogadl490]

Ditto, how’s it going over there?

[@tiffanyphillips3741]

😮

[@bambiwest1391]

I appreciate Betsy heart, goals and strength to take on this project. I wish she would do a KZbin channel so I could follow her. I don’t use Instagram, so I can only catch glimpse on KZbin when someone posts updates/stories of her. If you read this by chance Betsy, I wish you all the best - and you go girl!

[@tsuboaromatherapyreflexolo335]

I did a job in wheeling a few years ago and fell in love with the architecture and wished I had the money to buy an historic place there.

[@Linayouknowme]

Absolutely love Betsy and her energy and love for this city. It makes me want to live there too (I am German lol).

[@NorceCodine]

Du kannst auch in D. alte Hauser renovieren. Gibt es doch ohne Ende.

[@pepperpeterpiperpickled9805]

Im Australian and I want to live here. I can live in the tiny house.

[@sula1529]

Shes a nice lady but I don't understand how American women talk with what sounds like something stuck in their throats? Maybe she's a singer? 🤔

[@tommcguire6081]

Thank you for keeping up my hometown, Betsy.😍

[@annereidy7981]

I love the Wheeling spirit and dedication to the community through its rehabilitation of the old city, renewal as opposed to gentrification, well done Wheeling and Betsy!

[@marzymarrz5172]

Went there decades ago and was struck by the great old houses in a pretty neat location.

[@dixiemerchant1052]

What an inspiration you are, and more, what a large positive change you are leaving in legacy!

[@rebeccakleitz3177]

Wheeling holds a special place in my heart as my great grandfather, William Ebeneezer Davies, immigrated from Aberdare, Wales to 29th street in Wheeling. There are still a LOT of Davies' there in the Wheeling area, including across the river in Martin's Ferry. I once took a harrowing drive through the Wheeling cemetery a few years ago. I wouldn't suggest it to the faint of heart or without a 4 wheel drive!!!

[@areaone3813]

Yeayy, thank you for your efforts. I appreciate you.

[@charlesbriscoe6952]

When I visit the area I pickup some Dicarlo's and drive around looking at the old properties. There are a few churches in/near Warwood that would make great apartments or offices.

[@TravelwithAustin]

She is doing wonderful work!

[@user-jf7ej5py1u]

She’s amazing ❤️ is there an update on this house anywhere????

[@WheelingHeritage]

She has a website with more info here: betsysweeny.com

[@maurawhelan3530]

Such a great video. Your house with its details like the staircase and ceilings in so worth preserving

[@chuckdeezy_313]

W😍W She is Gorgeous!

[@johnanderson8096]

Really enjoyed that... Thank you... will continue to check out properties there...

[@jacobtracy7847]

Super happy. I thought this project went out the door. Glad to see Betsy is still at it! Actually would like her advise to find out the history of my Craftsman. Actually bought mine about the same time as she bought hers.

[@WheelingHeritage]

Hi Jacob! Are you in the Wheeling area? We have some info on our Preservation Technical Assistance page and you can get into contact with Betsy using the form towards the bottom: wheelingheritage.org/preservation-technical-assistance/

[@jacobtracy7847]

@@WheelingHeritage no. Unfortunately I am not. I'm in Kansas, however the idea is where could I find an organization like yours that is local to me, or the appropriate channels to track the previous owners or find the original blueprints... there is a history museum here but all they could do was send me a new google maps image of the house. Are there any city departments I should try for information?

[@WheelingHeritage]

Unfortunately it's tough to say, being more familiar with groups that are local to Wheeling. However, you could always try your local library, census information, or if you have a city hall, they might be able to send you in the right direction. Good luck on your search!

[@Wv8675]

East wheeling such a nice neighborhood............

[@kevinleukhardt9560]

Betsy, I really admire your passion to save these historic houses and buildings. Have you found the right masons to "Repoint" the brickwork on your house? This is critical as you know to remove and repair decaying mortar joints to prevent frost heave in the mortar joints. I suspect the bricks that are falling down are because the mortar joints have water intrusion and froze breaking the joints. I would bet there are some semi-retired masons in the area that would help you work on this. I would really like to see you post a video next spring on your house! Is your Dad or was he in some type of construction? What did he say when he saw your house for the first time? You aren't crazy to restore your house; Crazy people tear down houses like yours.

[@libertycan6959]

beautiful

[@bigtexhand]

WHEELING: bridges, banks, and parking lots

[@danielkoher1944]

You said it! That’s all that’s left.

[@Yaseen-mi]

I have thought same thing when I see some decrepit beautiful buildings in PA. Props to this brave woman

[@NorceCodine]

Read the article, its hard to believe though that $120K was enough to bring back such a ruinous building. Did you hire a contractor for every job, or lots of DIY? I am also somewhat in a similar boat, need to learn how to paint and carpet-laying.

[@ΠαναγιώτηςΠαιδαράκης]

Wher exaktli is the said hause?????

[@antwinnetteelliott7187]

What is the name of the bathroom wallpaper, manufacturer, and where can I buy some????? Thank you in advance for your time!

[@jacksmith5692]

Always worry about animals like mice, rats, racoons etc.

[@danielhester9575]

epic

[@saraspencer1895]

Hi Betsy, can you help me to find house like this in wheeling and i will pay your fees. Currently i am living in Florida and cash buyer

[@WheelingHeritage]

Hi Sara. Glad to hear you're interested in Wheeling! You can contact Betsy by emailing her at [e-mail].

[@danielkoher1944]

If you’re a cash buyer? You have too much for this Glorious Hood.🤦🏼‍♂️

[@bossdog1480]

I hope your house is coming along Betsy. You've got a lot to do yet.

[@sphinxrising1129]

It's not the homes that pose the problem. It's the high crime rate areas they are in, as most was used for crack houses at some time.

[@danielkoher1944]

YES! 🙌🏾 I couldn’t believe people suggested East Wheeling! 🤭

[@danielkoher1944]

1:40 What spores did you just introduce into your lungs? 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@andrelee3008]

Is wheeling safe for blacks to live there?

[@kukachoo42]

thats my question too

[@andrelee3008]

Can you live in rural being black l.heard it's a very racist state?

[@tonymatur4694]

Haha blks neighborhoods are the least safe

[@colleenclegg1714]

Haha

[@zprice2311]

The neighborhood she bought this house in is predominantly African American