Book Series: The Grand Idea, George Washington’s Potomac and the Race to the West

We are excited to announce the formation of The Happy Retreat Book Club. The Club will choose several books a year to read and discuss.

The first book will be The Grand Idea, George Washington’s Potomac and the Race to the West, by Joel Achenbach. This book tells the story of George Washington’s trek across the Appalachians to what was then the western frontier – the Ohio River Valley — in September, 1784. The two-fold purpose of the trip was to visit his far-flung land holdings and to investigate transforming the Potomac River into a route of commerce between the western frontier and the East Coast. He spent his first night after crossing the Blue Ridge at Happy Retreat where he met with Gen. Daniel Morgan and other local leaders to discuss his Grand Idea.

The Four Seasons Book Store in Shepherdstown has offered to make the book available at a 15% discount to Club members.

The idea for the book club came from Dr. Michael Spensley, of Charles Town, who has agreed to facilitate the Club’s first meeting. It will be held at Happy Retreat on Flag Day, Wednesday, June 14, at 7 pm. If you are interested in joining the Club, please call us at (304) 724-7956 to sign up. Membership is free.

We look forward to seeing you on June 14!