In 1988, the family of Rev. Isaac Coffman gave a remarkable gift to the Greenbrier Historical Society–a 200 year old Conestoga style covered wagon. It was brought into this area in 1788 and was used by the Coffman family to move goods. Restoration was completed over the course of 15 months by Don Birkebile, former assistant curator of transportation at the Smithsonian Institute. In 1992, GHS built an historically correct replica of a mortise and tenon frame construction barn complete with square nails in partnership with Allegheny Restoration and architect Paul Marshall. Our Conestoga style wagon has a beautiful, historically correct home to sit in for generations to come. 

The wagon house exhibit examines the economy of early colonial settlement of the Greenbrier Valley between 1770 and 1820. During this period, the community had two economic systems: A subsistence economy in which people produced just enough to survive, and a market economy in which people produced enough surplus that they could trade and sell. European settlers used both economic systems to improve their standard of living while relying on the knowledge and labor of the diverse Greenbrier Valley community. Settlers relied on Native American knowledge, the unpaid labor of enslaved people, and the ability of women to take on traditional and non-traditional roles.