Restoring more than homes: How Greenmont’s champions are strengthening an entire community
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As Realtors, we often talk about curb appeal, property values, and home improvements. Those things certainly matter. But every once in a while, you come across people whose work goes far beyond increasing the value of a single house. They are helping preserve the story of a neighborhood. In Morgantown’s historic Greenmont neighborhood, Adelheid Schaupp and Gary Maust have become two of those people.
Many know Adelheid as Greenmont's “Renovation Queen.” Together with Gary, she has spent years breathing new life into homes that others may have overlooked. Rather than seeing peeling paint, aging porches, or outdated interiors, they see craftsmanship waiting to be uncovered and homes deserving of another chapter. House by house, they are proving that restoration is about much more than construction. It is about preserving history, strengthening neighborhoods, and creating places where families want to live.
Greenmont has always been one of Morgantown’s most distinctive neighborhoods. Its tree-lined streets, welcoming front porches, and historic architecture offer a character that simply cannot be replicated. Many of its homes date back more than a century, each carrying stories of the families who helped shape Morgantown.
Adelheid and Gary have taken on what may become their most meaningful project yet. They have purchased Kerns Fort, one of Morgantown’s oldest and most treasured landmarks, with plans to restore it to its historic beauty. Their vision extends beyond saving a historic structure. They are preserving an important piece of Morgantown’s heritage while ensuring it remains a source of pride for future generations.
Every successful restoration effort also depends on people who believe in the vision. Barbara Parsons has been an important supporter of these projects, investing in their success and recognizing the lasting value that thoughtful restoration brings to Greenmont. Her commitment reflects the understanding that preserving historic homes is not only about protecting the past, but also about building a stronger future.
As a Realtor, I have seen firsthand how this kind of investment benefits everyone. Beautifully restored homes inspire neighboring homeowners to improve their own properties. Buyers begin to appreciate the craftsmanship and charm of older homes, and demand for the neighborhood grows while its historic character is preserved. Property values strengthen, but more importantly, the neighborhood’s identity remains intact.
The impact extends well beyond real estate. Every restoration project creates opportunities for local contractors, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, masons, roofers, painters, landscapers, architects, and suppliers. Local businesses benefit as materials are purchased, skilled tradespeople are employed, and families move into revitalized homes. Greenmont’s neighborhood businesses are an essential part of what makes the community so special. Whether you’re enjoying an evening with friends at Gene’s Beer Garden, grabbing a cup of coffee at Quantum Bean, treating yourself to a family dinner on site or to go at Madeline Marie’s or savoring a sweet treat at Essie’s Ice Cream, every visit helps strengthen the neighborhood we all love.
We all eagerly await the return of Phoenix Bakery and the delicious breads and baked goods that have become a favorite for so many Greenmont residents. Its reopening will be another welcome sign of the neighborhood’s continued vitality and resilience.
When historic homes are restored and new families move into the neighborhood, everyone benefits. Strong neighborhoods support thriving local businesses, and thriving local businesses make neighborhoods even more desirable places to call home. That positive cycle is one of the greatest rewards of thoughtful community revitalization.
Perhaps the greatest benefit cannot be measured in dollars. Restored homes create safer streets, stronger neighborhoods, and a greater sense of community pride. Families gather on front porches. Neighbors get to know one another. Children grow up surrounded by architecture that tells the story of Morgantown’s past. Historic preservation creates a sense of place that enriches everyday life.
The Greenmont Champions remind us that community revitalization is rarely the work of one person. It takes vision, persistence, investment, and a genuine love for the place you call home.
Their work demonstrates what is possible when people choose restoration over demolition and preservation over neglect.
As Realtors, we celebrate every successful closing, but we should also celebrate those who quietly transform neighborhoods long before a home ever reaches the market. Greenmont is stronger today because people chose to invest in its history, its homes, its businesses, and its future.
Their efforts are preserving more than beautiful architecture. They are protecting the spirit of Greenmont, supporting local entrepreneurs, honoring Morgantown’s rich history through the restoration of Kerns Fort, and creating a community where history and progress walk hand in hand.
One restored home inspires another. One thriving business encourages the next. One preserved landmark reminds us where we came from. Together, they are ensuring that Greenmont remains one of Morgantown’s most treasured neighborhoods for generations to come.
Jenn Hagerty, a residential Realtor, is the 2026 president of Morgantown Board of Realtors.