Submitted photo The Augusta Heritage Center officially announced on Friday that it has purchased the historic Wilt Building on the corner of Davis Avenue and Third Street in downtown Elkins. Above is an artist’s rendering of what the building will look like after renovations.

ELKINS — The Augusta Heritage Center officially announced Friday that it has purchased the historic Wilt Building on the corner of Davis Avenue and Third Street in downtown Elkins.

The acquisition of the building, which was built in 1898 as the original opera house in Elkins, offers opportunities for both locals and visitors, while ensuring the celebration of traditional art and culture in the heart of Elkins, officials said.

“This is absolutely incredible for us,” Augusta Heritage Center Executive Director Seth Young told The Inter-Mountain Friday. “The building is going to become a vibrant center for cultural exchange and community engagement.

“That impact will continue beyond culture education, because the Wilt Building, with its third- and fourth-floor apartments, will also serve as a beacon to attract active community minded individuals to live right in the heart of the downtown we serve.”

The building was purchased for $450,000 from Davis Trust Bank, Young said.

The property will undergo a three-phased renovation, part of which has already begun, Young noted.

The first phase will include renovating the building’s second floor, to be used as classrooms.

The second phase will involve installing fire alarms and sprinklers in the building, and renovating the apartments on the third and fourth floors.

The third phase will include creating a dance floor and retail space on the first floor of the building.

Young said the entire three-phased renovation process will likely last two to three years.

Established in 1973, Augusta’s original home was in the Tygart Hotel. It later moved to the campus of Davis & Elkins College in 1981, where it has remained ever since.

“We still enjoy a robust relationship with the newly revitalized Tygart Hotel,” said Young. “We are very excited to be coming full circle with that relationship.

“In 1982 it was conferred to Davis & Elkins College and that’s when it began its world-famous Summer Heritage Workshops. And we are still enjoying a proud partnership with D&E and we work together like hand and glove. We are still going to be hosting that Summer Heritage Workshop series at Davis & Elkins College.”

The return of the Augusta Heritage Center to downtown Elkins promises to inject new life into the city, ensure the preservation of Appalachian culture, and make downtown Elkins even more appealing with community classes and living spaces.

“What the building does is allows continual programming in downtown Elkins that the local community and our visitors from all over the world can benefit from as they engage in Appalachian traditions and learn about Appalachian culture,” said Young.

“A portion of the building is going to be dedicated to performances, symposiums, cultural sessions and dances. So we are very excited about the possibilities this brings, especially in the heart of downtown Elkins.”

Augusta Heritage Center, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, was able to bring this project to life through private philanthropy, state grants, and federal funding, Young said.

To support the Augusta Heritage Center, visit AugustaArtsandCulture.org.