Save the Date!

Sunday, December 3rd 2PM - 4PM
Christmas Open House 2023
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR OUR ANNUAL Happy Retreat Christmas Open House 2023
The Open House, which is free and open to the public, will show Happy Retreat decorated in period holiday finery and will feature holiday cookies, punch, and music. Please Join Us.

Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 2PM
“A Jazzy Christmas” – The Robert Sykes Trio with special guest Karen Gray
Join us Sunday, December 17th, 2023 at 2pm for “A Jazzy Christmas” featuring the Robert Sykes Jazz Trio with special guest Karen Gray.
Tickets are $25 and only 50 will be sold.

Saturday, December 23, 2023 3PM
Festive Traditions: Christmas by Candlelight and more
Immerse yourself in the poignant and rich string sounds as we celebrate the season with holiday instrumental classics to warm the soul. Internationally-acclaimed musicians Rachelle Hunt (Germany/USA) and Katie Tertell (UK/USA) on the violin and cello draw from their European experiences to bring you an unforgettable holiday experience.

Sunday, January 21st, 2024
Violamore Duo Presents: “Masterworks for Two Violas”
Join us Sunday, January 21st, 2024 at 2pm for “Winter Reverie” from Juli Nickel and Melissa Dvorak, flute and harp duo.

Sunday, February 18th, 2024
Cacio e Pepe featuring Dominic Salerni, violin and Sam Suggs, bass
Join us Sunday, January 21st, 2024 at 2pm for “Winter Reverie” from Juli Nickel and Melissa Dvorak, flute and harp duo.

Sunday, April 7th, 2024
Violamore Duo Presents: “Masterworks for Two Violas”
Exciting Opportunity to Double your Donation to Happy Retreat!
One of our greatest needs at Happy Retreat is a new HVAC system. The house has an outdated oil-fired hot water radiator system for heat and no air-conditioning. The lack of air-conditioning severely restricts our use of the house for almost half the year, since we only schedule indoor events during the cool weather months.
We are excited that a Save America’s Treasure Grant from the National Park Service has provided matching funds to provide a unique opportunity for you to double the impact of your gift to update Happy Retreat’s heating and cooling system and to upgrade the electrical system in the house. There is a limited window in which to participate – before December 31 of this year – and your gift will be matched on a one-to-one basis. (All donations will be matched up to a total of $132,000.)
Please donate now to help us meet this important goal. You’ll be playing a vital role in making Happy Retreat a center of history and culture for the entire community to enjoy. You can make your check payable to Friends of Happy Retreat, P.O. Box 1427, Charles Town, WV, 25414 and note “matching gift” on the memo line. Contributions can also be made via our website. Gifts of stock are also welcome. If you would prefer to make a gift of stock, please contact us by email at info@happyretreat.org and we will provide you with the necessary information. Thank you for you continued support of Happy Retreat by helping us reach this important fundraising goal.
WV Humanities Council Grant to Further Study of Enslaved Community
In October 2022, the WV Humanities Council approved a grant to enable further study of the enslaved community at Happy Retreat, an important element of African American history in Jefferson County. In 2019, Happy Retreat facilitated and participated in the presentation “What We Found When We Came Together: Shared Roots Beneath Jefferson County Walls.” The presentation at Fisherman’s Hall recounted a compelling and powerful story about intertwining family histories of six women with roots in Jefferson County. As a result of that presentation, FOHR retained noted historian and genealogist Jane Ailes to research African American history in Jefferson County. Ms. Ailes’ work, funded in part through the support of an anonymous donor, sought to identify African Americans who lived at, worked at and helped build Happy Retreat, both before and after Emancipation and also sought to identify current descendants of those enslaved. The recent WV Humanities Council grant will support continuation of Ms. Ailes’ work, thereby providing a significant expansion of our knowledge about the role of the enslaved at Happy Retreat and in our community.

Charles Town Revitalization
“We are restoring Happy Retreat to become a cultural community center and heritage tourism destination, a hub for arts festivals, orchestra music celebrations, heritage fairs, teaching and other cultural activities.”
Walter Washington
President of Friends of Happy Retreat
Events at Happy Retreat
Happy Retreat hosts annual events, concerts and other community events. Learn more »
Concerts and Live Music at Happy Retreat
Happy Retreat's Craft Beer & Music Festival
Christmas Celebration Events at Happy Retreat
News & Announcements
Upcoming Events
History
Explore the history of Happy Retreat and Charles Washington, founder of Charles Town, West Virginia, and President George Washington’s youngest brother.
Charles Washington
Founder of Charles Town, WV
History of Happy Retreat
The Historic Home of Charles Washington
Washington Family Homes
Washington Homes in and around Jefferson County, West Virginia
Historic Photos
Historic photo gallery of Happy Retreat