Happy Retreat is the home built by Charles Washington, founder of Charles Town, West Virginia, and President George Washington’s youngest brother. Located on the edge of historic Charles Town, the property includes the 18th Century mansion, a stone and brick kitchen/storehouse, an old octagonal wooden school house and 12 acres of woods and lawns.
Located in the rapidly growing Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia – just 55 miles northwest of Washington D.C. - the property is vulnerable to development. It's owners are interested in selling the historic estate and wish to ensure that Happy Retreat be preserved in its entirety for the enjoyment of future generations.
Recognizing the threat to this historic property, a group of local preservation-minded citizens has formed the Friends of Happy Retreat, Inc. (FOHR), a non-profit organization dedicated to acquiring, preserving and utilizing the property for public benefit. A purchase option has been signed by the current owners and FOHR which should allow us sufficient time to raise the funds necessary to acquire the property.
How YOU can help preserve Happy Retreat!! Tax-deductible donations are urgently needed from individuals, foundations, small businesses, corporations and other organizations who share FOHR’s interest in the preservation of Happy Retreat. With your help, we can breathe new life into this historic estate as a center celebrating the arts, culture and rich history of the Washington family and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.
Donations can be made by mailing checks to:
Treasurer
Friends of Happy Retreat
P.O. Box 1427
Charles Town, WV, 25414
Contributions can also be made by credit card through Network for Good using the link below:
Our Newsletter :
The Rising Sun is Friends of Happy Retreat's newsletter and a means of informing the public of recent and upcoming events and accomplishments. CLICK HERE to read the most current edition. Comments on the content and utility of the Rising Sun are welcomed through our guest book or by email to the editor, Emily Wilson, at ewilson@happyretreat.org
Our Guestbook :
We now have an online guestbook. Please let us know you were here, and lend your thoughts and ideas. CLICK HERE.
Latest NEWS:
Fall Washington Family House Tour to Benefit Friends of Happy Retreat
To raise funds for continuing its operations, FOHR will host a tour on Saturday, September 19, 2009, of several of the eight Washington Family homes, including Harewood, one of the nation’s most historic Georgian stone mansions, completed in 1770 by Samuel Washington, another of General Washington’s brothers. Visitors will be able to tour the grounds and enter each house for a peek at several rooms within these Jefferson County historical landmarks. This tour will also promote the Washington Heritage in the area which will benefit all of Jefferson County through increased tourism. Docents will be present to describe the furnishings and architecture, as well as to inform visitors of relevant genealogical information or historic events associated with the properties. Tickets will go on sale about a month in advance. Volunteers wishing to serve as docents on the day of the tour should contact Emily Wilson by email at ewilsonmsw@comcast.net. For further information contact Friends of Happy Retreat at 304 724 7956; email, ewilsonmsw@comcast.net; or mail at PO Box 1427, Charles Town, WV 25414.
Happy Retreat to host Author Scott Casper lecture and book-signing regarding his book "Sarah Johnson's Mount Vernon."
Friends of Happy Retreat will host a lecture and book signing by Scott E. Casper, Professor of History at the University of Nevada on Saturday, June 27 at 2 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express in Charles Town. Dr. Casper will speak about his recently published book Sarah Johnson’s Mt. Vernon: The Forgotten History of an American Shrine. The book is an historical account of Sarah Johnson, an African-American who lived at Mt. Vernon for more than 50 years, both as a slave before the Civil War and as an emancipated woman after the war. The Washington Post review of the book notes, “Casper deftly uses the limited sources available to depict Johnson’s life with an authenticity that is moving. At the same time, he intertwines her story with accounts of other black men and women who tended Mount Vernon over the years, many of them her relatives." Following the lecture, Dr. Casper will be available to sign copies of his book. The event is free and open to the public.
LINKS:
Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission he Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission operates under the auspices of the Jefferson County government and is charged with aiding the county government and its citizens in the protection and preservation of the county's historic resources. Five Landmarks Commission members are appointed by the Jefferson County Commission and serve three-year terms.
Jefferson County Historical Society The goal of the Society has changed little from its early days: “The Society has been organized for the purpose of collecting and preserving books, papers, records, writings, relics, etc., relating particularly to the History of Jefferson County and partly to that of West Virginia.” The Society publishes both a quarterly newsletter, The Guardian, and an annual report, The Magazine of the Jefferson County Historical Society, which typically contains several articles about local historical places, people, and events. The Society has also published a hard bound book describing many historic resources in the county, "Between the Shenandoah and Potomac: Historic Homes of Jefferson County, WV," and a DVD describing the history of the county from pre-colonial days to the present.
Jefferson County Museum The Jefferson County Museum contains artifacts from the early Native Americans up to World War II, including Civil War relics and uniforms, fine silver and china, photographs, antique dolls and toys, engravings and many other beautiful and historical items. The museum is located at 200 East Washington Street, Charles Town WV 25414 and can be reached at 304.725.8628 or email Curator@JeffCtyWVMuseum.org
The Washingtons of Jefferson County is an on-line chronological summary of events concerning the many members of the Washington family who settled in the county. It is based on an interview with John Augustine Washington conducted in 2001 and discusses many little-known facets of the Washington family history in the county.
Jefferson County Listener on the Web The Jefferson County Listener provides on-line information to help protect scenic, rural, historic & cultural resources in Jefferson County and examines contemporary issues concerning development, preservation and similar concerns affecting the quality of life in the Eastern Panhandle.
Berkeley County Historical Society The Berkeley County Historical Society is a focus group dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of history in Berkeley County West Virginia. Its mission is to develop the Belle Boyd House as an educational center depository for historical papers and materials; restore and protect the artifacts, documents, and manuscripts; write, research, publish and continue to develop architectural and genealogical materials for public access and catalog and document all artifacts and items donated or loaned to the Berkeley County Historical Society.
The Mosby Heritage Area The National Park Service-designated Mosby Heritage Area encompasses all, or a portion, of the counties of Loudoun, Fauquier, Prince William, Warren, Clarke and Rappahannock in Virginia as well as a portion of Jefferson County, West Virginia. The Mosby Heritage Area Association creates awareness of this distinctive area, educates the public about its unique qualities, and promotes its preservation. Visitors resources such as brochures, driving tours, and audiotape tours of Civil War highlights are provided on the web site which assist the reader to explore the Mosby Heritage Area. In addition, a list of events celebrating the history of the area and a description of the MHAA's exciting and ambitious program focusing on Education & Awareness, Heritage Tourism and Advocacy for Preservation initiatives are provided.
Washington Heritage Trail Happy Retreat is an officially designated site on the Washington Heritage Trail, a self-guided automobile tour celebrating the rich history of George Washington's homeland in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.
Mount Vernon
http://www.mountvernon.org/
Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
http://www.glenburniemuseum.org/
