Historic Preservation
Happy Retreat historic preservation/restoration notes and updates.
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
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
October 2021 Restoration Update
Showroom Great progress has been made on the restoration of the Show Room. As reported in the May issue, a window which exactly replicates the original window in the east wall has been installed in the west wall, replacing a 20th ... read more
Historic Letter from Frances Bassett Washington to Martha Washington (March 1793)
Introduction: HISTORY AT IT’S BEST FROM INSIDE HAPPY RETREAT, by Marjorie Gaestel Those that know me know that one of my favorite Happy Retreat subjects is the portrait of the lovely Frances Bassett Washington that hangs in one of our ... read more
Historic Sewing Machine Donated to Happy Retreat
Friends of Happy Retreat is appreciating a personal donation given to us by a descendant of Charles and Mildred Washington. This sewing machine belonged to Francis Washington, Jr. and his wife Lucy Walters Washington and their daughter read more
July 2020 Restoration Update
Restoration of the smokehouse and stone kitchen is nearing completion. Over the winter, master carpenter Dave Kardok prepared the framing for the new roof. Many of the original rafters were simply split logs with the tree bark still on read more
Another History at its Best
A little trivia about Happy Retreat. Hello from inside Happy Retreat on Her 240th Birthday My favorite thing to do as the historian of Happy Retreat is look behind Happy Retreat’s walls, under her floorboards, in closets, read long ... read more
SHPO Archaeology Grant
Friends of Happy Retreat (FOHR) has received an $11,000 grant from the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to undertake a detailed archaeological survey of the Happy Retreat property. When FOHR was first organized ... read more
April 2018 Restoration Update
We are completing plans on two important restoration projects. The first is the plan for the restoration of the smokehouse and stone kitchen. The restoration plan is being developed by architect Kevin Lee Sarring, who is working with ... read more
December 2017 Restoration Update
Roof. Restoration of the roof on the central portion of the house is complete. The standing seam metal roof was scraped, repaired where necessary, then primed and painted. The soffit molding along the eaves on both sides of the house ... read more