HAPPY RETREAT

Located at the southern edge of Charles Town, Happy Retreat is the home of Charles Washington, younger brother of George Washington and founder of the City of Charles Town. Happy Retreat was built on land Charles inherited from his older half-brother, Lawrence Washington. In 1780 Charles and his wife Mildred moved from Fredericksburg to Happy Retreat where he had built the two wings separated by a breezeway. It was not until after 1837 when Judge Isaac Douglas bought Happy Retreat that the main center section was built. Judge Douglas also changed the name of the estate to Mordington after his ancestral home in Scotland.

Two additional buildings on the property of historical significance include a stone kitchen and smokehouse which predates the residence and an octagonal wooden powder house, similar to one at Mount Vernon, that was later used as a school house.

The graves of Charles and his wife Mildred have been located on the other side of Evitts Run which flows along the back boundary of the property.

This is currently a private home, but the grounds are open to the public. Friends of Happy Retreat, a non-profit organization, has an option to purchase the land.

Location: Blakeley Place and Mordington Avenue, Charles Town

For More Information: www.HappyRetreat.org