Photo by Paul LaPann Michelle McLendon, of Parkersburg, attends Saturday’s Kentucky Derby party at Oakland.

PARKERSBURG — Betty Lutz was remembered and honored Saturday at the Kentucky Derby viewing party provided by the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Foundation in her former Oakland home.

For many years, Lutz hosted a Kentucky Derby party at Oakland, also known as the James McNeil Stephenson mansion, at 1131 Seventh St. in Parkersburg. It was one of the many acts of kindness Lutz gave to individuals, community organizations and animals.

After Lutz passed away on Feb.12, 2015, the Oakland home was donated to the WVU-P Foundation in December 2015 by her family. The foundation has restored the Stephenson mansion as a resource for the university and community.

Saturday’s private party, attended by about 50 people, was the first fundraiser hosted by the foundation for the preservation of Oakland. The WVU-P Foundation plans to host future Kentucky Derby parties, in memory and honor of Betty Lutz, at the mansion, officials said.

WVU-P President Chris Gilmer said he hoped Betty was looking down from heaven at Saturday’s party and liked what she saw.

Photo by Paul LaPann Mint julep cupcakes were among the food provided at the Kentucky Derby party.

“I have heard many wonderful stories about Betty,” said Keith Gaskin, vice president of institutional advancement at WVU-P.

Kitty Coppock of Stowe, Vt., Betty’s sister, said the WVU-P Foundation has done an amazing job at restoring the historic Stephenson home.

“I am thrilled with what they have done with it,” she said, noting the foundation has added central heating and air conditioning among the improvements.

Coppock, who attended the party, presented the foundation with a tea set and tureen that had belonged to her grandmother Katherine Stephenson Sammel.

For Bonnie Holland, of Parkersburg, this was the first time she had visited Oakland since her friend Betty’s death. Holland said she enjoyed seeing the beautiful home but was sad Betty was not there.

Photo by Paul LaPann The James McNeil Stephenson mansion in Parkersburg.

“It looks nice but I miss Betty,” Holland said. “I wish Betty was here.”

To fit the occasion, Valley Catering prepared a meal that included honey-glazed bourbon meatballs, Kentucky Hot Brown sliders and Brown Betty, a dessert made with apples, brown sugar and sweetened crumbs. Crazy Cake Cafe supplied the mint julep cupcakes and Nancy Bremar prepared the mint juleps.

Attendees watched the Kentucky Derby on three televisions in the mansion and selected the horse they thought would win. The Will Crichton Trio provided music.

The Stephenson mansion, built in 1832, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

WVU-P wants the Stephenson home to be used by students, alumni and the community, Gaskin said. The home has a rich history as a place where Arthur Boreman, the first governor of West Virginia; Henry Clay, U.S. senator from Kentucky, and Civil War Gen. George B. McClellan, among others, visited.

Photo by Paul LaPann Michelle McLendon’s Kentucky Derby bonnet.

James McNeil Stephenson was a local lawyer, House of Delegates member and bank president.

Photo by Paul LaPann Kitty Coppock is happy with the restoration of her family’s former home, Oakland.

Photo by Paul LaPann West Virginia University at Parkersburg President Chris Gilmer attends Saturday’s Kentucky Derby party at Oakland. A painting of Arthur Boreman, the first governor of West Virginia, is behind him.

Photo by Paul LaPann Pamela Santer and David Creel stand at the front door of the Stephenson mansion during Saturday’s Kentucky Derby party.