This three-bay brick house is one of West Virginia's sixteen National Historic Landmarks, a distinction deriving from the fact that Alexander Wade lived here from 1872 until his death in 1904. While superintendent of the Monongalia County school system, Wade introduced the graded system that was later adapted nationwide. During Wade's time, the house had a simpler gable roof. He added two-story polygonal bays to each side shortly before his death, but the overpowering mansard roof with dormers dates from 1911.