News & Announcements
The latest news and announcements from Friends of Happy Retreat.
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
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
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
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
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
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 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”
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
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
October 2021 Rising Sun Newsletter
In March of this year, I received a phone call from Katie Tertell, who told me she was calling from Ireland. She is a cellist and said she was organizing the first ever Appalachian Chamber Music Festival. She asked if Happy Retreat ... read more