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News & Announcements

The latest news and announcements from Friends of Happy Retreat.

From Inside Happy Retreat – History at its Best

From Inside Happy Retreat – History at its Best

Coming Home to Happy Retreat I am starting a “Coming Home” Series, featuring stories from families who once lived at Happy Retreat. With available research we are going to try and recognize residents all the way back to the Charles ... read more

History of the Octagon Building and Recent Progress

History of the Octagon Building and Recent Progress

A Short History of the Octagon Building We believe the octagon building dates to the late 18th Century and to the time of Charles Washington’s ownership of Happy Retreat. This significant building is the only one of its kind of that ... read more

November 2023 Rising Sun Newsletter

November 2023 Rising Sun Newsletter

It has been a very good year for Happy Retreat. A lot has happened this year to move us toward our goal of completing the restoration of Happy Retreat and its grounds, as is further detailed in this newsletter. read more

George Washington letter discussing death of his brother Charles is part of Jefferson County Museum collection
Octagon House at Happy Retreat

Octagon House at Happy Retreat

We have moved the Octagon House to its new location. We are not finished but we are getting there. It will be placed on a newly constructed foundation. We also have our newly restored Smoke House/Stone Kitchen/Enslaved Quarters open. ... read more

History at its Best: The Charles Washington Family

History at its Best: The Charles Washington Family

Last year, we engaged the firm Landmarks SGA to develop a master plan for both the Happy Retreat house and grounds (Landmarks SGA also managed the beautiful restoration of Charles Washington Hall in downtown Charles Town). The concept ... read more

Happy Retreat Master Plan

Happy Retreat Master Plan

Last year, we engaged the firm Landmarks SGA to develop a master plan for both the Happy Retreat house and grounds (Landmarks SGA also managed the beautiful restoration of Charles Washington Hall in downtown Charles Town). The concept ... read more

November 2022 Rising Sun Newsletter

November 2022 Rising Sun Newsletter

It has been a very good year for Happy Retreat. A lot has happened this year to move us toward our goal of completing the restoration of Happy Retreat and its grounds, as is further detailed in this newsletter. read more

Our New Colonial Herb Garden

Our New Colonial Herb Garden

The Friends of Happy Retreat are proud to show off their new Colonial Herb Garden thanks to the great work of our local NSDAR Bee Line Chapter Registrar Heidi Ware's planning and managing with the assistance of the Chapter Historian, ... read more

The Stone Kitchen/Smoke House Dedication

The Stone Kitchen/Smoke House Dedication

The Stone Kitchen/Smoke House Dedication at Happy Retreat was held on June 18th, 2022. Photos from the event can be viewed below.Photos of the inside of the newly restored Stone KitchenEvent Gallery read more