Happy Retreat History
History at its Best: Family Life at Happy Retreat
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
Study of the Enslaved at Happy Retreat: The Washington and Hammond Era, 1747-1837
Date: July 31, 2024
On July 31st at 7PM at Fisherman’s Hall – 321 S. West Street, Charles Town, West Virginia — we will be meeting with Jane Ailes who will be presenting her finished report on the “Study of the Enslaved at Happy ... read more
Major Projects Completed!
With our Save America’s Treasures match money in hand, we went right to work in January to complete work on three large projects. The first project was to install steel reinforcing beams in the basement under the floors of each of the ... read more
From Inside Happy Retreat – History at its Best
Coming Home to Happy Retreat I am starting a “Coming Home” Series, featuring stories from families who once lived at Happy Retreat. With available research we are going to try and recognize residents all the way back to the Charles ... read more
History of the Octagon Building and Recent Progress
A Short History of the Octagon Building We believe the octagon building dates to the late 18th Century and to the time of Charles Washington’s ownership of Happy Retreat. This significant building is the only one of its kind of that ... read more
Octagon House at Happy Retreat
We have moved the Octagon House to its new location. We are not finished but we are getting there. It will be placed on a newly constructed foundation. We also have our newly restored Smoke House/Stone Kitchen/Enslaved Quarters open. ... read more
History at its Best: The Charles Washington Family
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
History at its best: “Keeping it in the Family Series”
By Marjorie Gaestel, Happy Retreat Historian And the beat goes on, the heartbeat that is. The Friends of Happy Retreat are happy to introduce you to a new Happy Retreat ancestor, Jesse David Washington. Jesse David Washington, son of ... read more
The Ownership of Happy Retreat by the Hammond Family, 1800-1837
As detailed in previous issues of our newsletter, Charles and Mildred Washington were forced by poverty and ill health to deed their interest in Happy Retreat, consisting of the house, outbuildings and about 800 acres, to their son ... read more