West Virginia Officials Grapple With Crumbling Mausoleum

Charleston, W.Va., officials are deciding how best to renovate the mausoleum at historic Spring Hill Cemetery.

The mausoleum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The roof of the 102-year-old Moorish style structure was severely damaged in a storm last year. The city closed the mausoleum until the tile roof can be fixed, which must be done before other renovations can begin.

Insurance should cover most of the roof repairs, but officials tell the Charleston Daily mail the city must cover the rest.

While they don’t have a cost estimate for the total project, officials say it could take up to two years to renovate the mausoleum.

Councilman Bobby Reishman serves on the cemetery board. He says the city can’t morally walk away from the historic building.