News & Announcements

The latest news and announcements from Friends of Happy Retreat.

Happy Retreat Tour – June 3rd, 2023 2PM-4PM

Happy Retreat Tour – June 3rd, 2023 2PM-4PM

Date: June 3, 2023

Our doors will be open on June 3rd 2PM to 4PM for our monthly free tour. Come and see our progress. We have moved the Octagon House to it’s new location. We are not finished but we are getting there. We also have our newly ... read more

Octagon House at Happy Retreat

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

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

Happy Retreat Master Plan

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

November 2022 Rising Sun Newsletter

November 2022 Rising Sun Newsletter

It has been a very good year for Happy Retreat. A lot has happened this year to move us toward our goal of completing the restoration of Happy Retreat and its grounds, as is further detailed in this newsletter. read more

Happy Retreat Open for Tours

Happy Retreat Open for Tours

Date: April 1, 2023

Happy Retreat will be open again for tours on the 1st Saturday of every month starting on April 1st, 2023. The House opens at 2PM and will be open until 4PM. We hope to see you. read more

Charlestown, 1863: Outpost and Home

Charlestown, 1863: Outpost and Home

Date: October 29, 2022

On Saturday, October 29th, living historians will be depicting the Autumn of 1863 at Happy Retreat. Come meet soldiers of the United States Army’s 9th Maryland Infantry and the citizens of Charles Town. Smell the campfire, see ... read more

Our New Colonial Herb Garden

Our New Colonial Herb Garden

The Friends of Happy Retreat are proud to show off their new Colonial Herb Garden thanks to the great work of our local NSDAR Bee Line Chapter Registrar Heidi Ware's planning and managing with the assistance of the Chapter Historian, ... read more

The Stone Kitchen/Smoke House Dedication

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

History at its best: “Keeping it in the Family Series”

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