Charles Washington’s Happy Retreat is the 1780 home of Charles Washington, founder of Charles Town and youngest brother of George Washington. The Friends of Happy Retreat is a private non-profit 501(c)3 organization working to purchase, restore, develop, and operate the historic Happy Retreat for public enjoyment and education, for encouragement of area economic development through heritage tourism, and for the enrichment of community life through programs in the arts, culture, and history.
For updates on Charles Washington’s Happy Retreat, please visit The Project page!
Or you may send your donation by check made payable to “Friends of Happy Retreat” to:
Treasurer
Friends of Happy Retreat
Charles Washington’s Happy Retreat
P.O. Box 1427
Charles Town, West Virginia 25414
Thank you!
In tribute to
William G. Gavin 1924 – 2010It is with deep regret that we bring you news of the death of William Gavin, who owned Happy Retreat with his wife, Mary. Bill Gavin died of a heart attack at his home on February 8, 2010. He was 85. We are grateful for the Gavin family’s support of the Friends of Happy Retreat’s efforts to realize Bill’s vision to make Happy Retreat a community resource for future generations.
NEWS!
This year, instead of holding the Washington Homes Tour, we have decided to celebrate the 218th Anniversary of the wedding of James and Dolley Madison, which took place at Harewood on September 15, 1794. We plan to continue the Washington Homes Tour next year.
Harewood, built in 1770 by Samuel Washington, George Washington’syounger brother, was then the home of Dolley’s sister, Lucy Payne Washington, who had married Samuel’s son, George Steptoe Washington. The marriage of James Madison and Dolley PayneTodd took place in the elegant paneled drawing room at Harewoodon September 15th, 1794, which today remains nearly untouched
since that time.
Attendance is limited for this rare chance to relive history. Tablesponsorships are available for $1000 which includes a table for eight and recognition in the program for the evening. Individual tickets are available at $100 per person and will be sold on a first come, first
serve basis. Seating is limited to 210.
Hors d’oeuvres will be served from five to six o’clock, followed by a dinner buffet at six o’clock in the evening. For further information please visit our website http://www.happyretreat.org/.
Proceeds from this event will benefit Friends of Happy Retreat and its effort to secure the purchase of Happy Retreat, the 1780 home of Charles Washington, founder of Charles Town and brother of George and Samuel Washington.
