Morrell House

Morell House

NPS/ Claire Hassler

Quick Facts

Amenities

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

This house was built in 1858 as quarters for the U.S. Armory paymaster's clerk and his family. This clerk helped the paymaster manage the armory's complex budget and payroll, and assisted also with the collection of government quarters' rent and the oversight of armory contracts.

Soon after the establishment of Storer Normal School (later college) in Harpers Ferry in 1867, Reverend Alexander Morrell of Maine came south into the Shenandoah Valley as a missionary for the Freewill Baptists - a church dedicated to the education of former slaves. Morrell preached and taught in the area for nearly 20 years, and this house, in which Morrell and his family once resided,
was named in honor of his dedicated service. Today the Morrell House is a National Park Service office building.