Jefferson County
Charles Town African-American History Tour
The Jefferson County Black History Preservation Society has prepared a self-guided tour of significant sites in Charles Town and vicinity. A tour map is available at the Jefferson County Museum. Tel: (304) 725-8628
For information: www.charlestownwvmuseum.org
For more information, contact the Jefferson County Black History Preservation Society.
Telephone: (304 725-7242)
Halltown Memorial Chapel
A late-Gothic revival limestone structure built entirely by volunteers in 1901 for the African-American community, this one of the many buildings along the Trail that present and interpret the area's rich African-American heritage. Off Rt. 340 on Rt. 340/12 near Halltown.
Tel: (304) 725-8628. For information: www.charlestownwvmuseum.org
Harpers Ferry African-American History Tour
During the Civil War, Harpers Ferry became one of many Union garrison towns where runaway slaves sought refuge. Within the Harpers Ferry National Park are several museums highlighting the area's struggle for black freedom, including the John Brown Museum and Fort, The Storer College Museum, and the Black Voices Museum. The former Storer College, which hosted the 1906 conference of the Niagara Movement (precursor of the NAACP), illustrates the education of African Americans from 1867 to 1954. The park is located off U.S. Route 340. Open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5 per vehicle. Tel: (304) 535-6298
For information about Harpers Ferry National Park: www.nps.gov/hafe/history.htm
See also - WV Division of Tourism: www.callwva.com/heritage/africana.cfm
Harpers Ferry Virginius Island Tour
Explore the ruins of a once thriving 19th century industrial town along the Shenandoah River. Allow about 1 to 2 hours for a complete walking tour of Virginius Island. The Park is located off U.S. 340. Open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5 per vehicle. Tel: (304) 535-6298.
For a description of this walking tour, visit: www.nps.gov/hafe/maps/virginius.htm
Historic Charles Town Walking Tour
Working as a surveyor for Lord Fairfax, largest landowner in Virginia, George Washington spent much of his young life in the Eastern Panhandle. The fond affection that Washington developed for the beautiful landscape and its bounty grew to the point where many members of his family settled and built homes. One of the most historic county seats in America, Charles Town was laid out in 1787 by Charles Washington, a brother of the first president. Many of the town's original structures remain, from its imposing residences to Courthouse Square, offering visitors perfect examples of early American architecture. A self-guided walking tour of Historic Charles Town is available at the Jefferson County Museum, located at 200 East Washington Street. Tel: (304)725-5628
Historic Shepherdstown Walking Tour
Come walk the charming streets of the oldest town in West Virginia. Because of its historical and architectural significance, most of the town has been designated a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. The rows of old houses are mostly intact, and the many fine homes and other buildings attest to the town's long history. For more information, call the Shepherdstown Visitor Center at (304) 876-2786
For a description of this tour, visit: www.shepherdstownvisitorscenter.com
Berkeley County
Berkeley County Historic Districts Tours
The Berkeley County Historical Society and Landmarks Commission, which are dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of history in the county, offer self-guided walking and driving tours of Martinsburg and Berkeley County as well as guided trolley tours.
For detailed descriptions of the self-guided tours, visit: www.bchs.org,
Walking self-guided tour and Driving self-guided tour
For more information, see: Historic places in Berkeley County
The Berkeley County Historical Society also offers an annual fall house tour.
For information: www.bchs.org/falltour2003.html
Sumner-Ramer Memorial School
Under the leadership of its principal, Fred R. Ramer, the school was completed in 1917. Closed as a secondary school in 1964, it has a room devoted to Black History and is now used for adult and community education programs. 515 West Martin Street, Martinsburg.
Call for open hours: (304) 263-7764. For information: www.bchs.org
Morgan County
Berkeley Springs Downtown Walking Tour
For more than two centuries, Berkeley Springs has thrived as a health spa and vacation resort. It was established as the town of Bath by the Virginia Legislature in 1776 and laid out by George Washington's family. Plaques noting the buyers of the first 50 lots for sale are scattered throughout the town. A self-guided tour of the contemporary buildings, their history and architectural details is available. For information and a walking tour brochure call (800)-447-8797
For more information visit: www.berkeleysprings.com/tour
Morgan County Driving Tour of Washington Heritage Trail
The 80-mile segment of the Trail in Morgan County is centered around Berkeley Springs and continues on to its westernmost terminus in Paw Paw with 15 great stops including "ye fam'd warm springs." For a detailed description of of this tour, visit: www.berkeleysprings.com
Eastern Panhandle
Civil War Heritage Tour
The Eastern Panhandle is rich in Civil War history, from Confederate spy Belle Boyd to John Brown to Harpers Ferry National Historic Park and beyond. For infromation, call (800) CALL WVA for a tour brochure of Civil War Sites in the area, or visit the following websites.
• Martinsburg Convention Visitor Bureau: www.travelwv.com
• Berkeley County Historical Society: www.bchs.org
• Museums at the Belle Boyd House: www.bchs.org/museums.html
• Civil War Discovery Tour: www.bchs.org/civilwar.html
• Antietam National Battlefield: www.nps.gov/anti/index.htm
• Virginius Island: www.nps.gov/hafe/maps/virginius.htm
• West Virginia Division of Tourism: www.callwva.com/heritage/civilwar.cfm
• Battle of Shepherdstown: www.wvcivilwar.com/sheptown.shtml
• West Virginia in the Civil War: www.wvcivilwar.com/histsites.shtml
• Notes on Botelor's Ford & Botelor's Mill: www.nps.gov/anti/shepherd.htm
