The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Trainer Home (President's House)

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Trainer House (President's House, view from Terrace Ave. and Church St.), Salem International University

Trainer House (President's House, rear view), Salem International University

Institution Name: Salem International University
Original/Historic Place Name: Residence of Trainer Family
Location on Campus:
Date(s) of Construction:

1909	original construction

Designer: unknown
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Other (Glossary)
Significance: architecture, education, history
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: concrete

Walls: brick veneer aluminum siding, wood

Roof: composition shingles

Function:

ca. 1909	private residence (of George H. Trainer)
ca. 1940-present (2006)	president's house (currently houses a vice president)

Narrative:
George H. Trainer was the fifth president of Salem College's Board of Directors. He and his brother were successful in the oil and gas business in North Central West Virginia. Soon after moving to Salem, he was elected a member of the Board and was elected to its presidency in 1940. Trainer served on the Board for forty-nine years. He also assisted the College financially in its formative years, both by signing for bank loans and through personal gifts.

Upon his death, his home was willed to the College to be used as the President's home. Other than a few small gifts to near relatives, he left his entire estate to Salem College.

References:

Bond, S. Orestes. The Light of the Hills: A History of Salem College. Charleston, WV: Education Foundation, 1960.

Davis, Dorothy Upton. History of Harrison County, West Virginia. Clarksburg, WV: American Association of University Women, 1970.

Smith, Myron J. 100 Years of Opportunity: A Pictorial History of Salem College, 1888-1988. Marceline, MO: Walsworth Press, 1988.

Zinn, Timothy G. A Historic Preservation Plan for Salem, West Virginia. Murfreesboro, TN: Middle Tennessee State University, 1995.