Historic Preservation
Happy Retreat historic preservation/restoration notes and updates.
April 2018 Restoration Update
We are completing plans on two important restoration projects. The first is the plan for the restoration of the smokehouse and stone kitchen. The restoration plan is being developed by architect Kevin Lee Sarring, who is working with ... read more
December 2017 Restoration Update
Roof. Restoration of the roof on the central portion of the house is complete. The standing seam metal roof was scraped, repaired where necessary, then primed and painted. The soffit molding along the eaves on both sides of the house ... read more
Newly Renovated Charles Washington Hall, Fall, 2017
Bushel & Peck farmers’ market is Located in Charles Washington Hall Charles Town Art & Revitalization read more
September 2017 Restoration Update – Smokehouse/Kitchen
In June, workmen from Belfor, an international property restoration company, came to Shrink Wrap the roof of the smokehouse/stone kitchen, replacing the deteriorating blue tarp which had been covering the roofs of these buildings. ... read more
April 2017 Updates
HISTORIC STRUCTURES REPORT Phase I of the Historic Structures Report (HSR) has been completed. The 81 page report was prepared by Maral S. Kalbian and Dennis J. Pogue. A copy can be downloaded from our webpage. The report established ... read more
Archeology at Happy Retreat’s Summer Kitchen/Smokehouse
This is an archaeological dig supervised by Dr. C. Hulse to find artifacts for determining construction dates and for learning about daily life at Happy Retreat and the building’s foundation restoration needs, among other goals. ... read more
December 2016 Restoration Update
We are moving forward with restoration of the house on all fronts. We are fortunate to be guided by so many knowledgeable people East Wing. During the 1940s, The East Wing was completely gutted due to termite damage and then remodeled, read more
Home of George Washington’s brother becomes a national treasure
Happy Retreat is being renovated and will hold events for the public. By Nina Kapur | nkapur@whag.com Published 06/24 2016 05:22PM CHARLESTOWN, W Va. West Virginia has a long list of historical sights, but one location in Charles Town ... read more
Happy Retreat named National Treasure
Washington Family Home Named a National Treasure Nation’s largest preservation organization partners with Friends of Happy Retreat to create a new cultural center for Charles Town community Washington (June 18, 2016) – Today, the ... read more
Piecing the Past Together
An example of how photographic and documentary evidence has helped us understand a piece of Happy Retreat’s past came when the 1960s era screen porch was removed last fall. The porch foundation was masonry, with gravel infill. As the ... read more