News & Announcements
The latest news and announcements from Friends of Happy Retreat.
April 2026 Rising Sun Newsletter
We are celebrating the 20th birthday of Friends of Happy Retreat. We were incorporated as a West a West Virginia non-profit corporation on March 20, 2006. It took us nine years to acquire Happy Retreat in 2015, when Dr. Taylor Fithian ... read more
Ballroom Bash
Date: February 7, 2026
The Ballroom Bash Is Back! 🎶An Evening of Music, Dancing & History🎶 Saturday, February 7 | 8:00–11:00 PM Historic Charles Washington Hall read more
History at its Best: Intent to Petition by Charles Washington & Petition of Charles Washington and Others to Create the Town of Charles Town
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
“Grand Idea” Historic Painting Depicting George Washington’s 1784 Visit to Happy Retreat
The figures depicted in the historical painting are (l-r), Billy Lee, George Washington’s enslaved servant who often traveled with him; Colonel Charles Washington, General George Washington, Edward Snickers and General Daniel MorganIn ... read more
Restoration Milestones: West Wing Completion and East Wing Renovation Plans
West Wing Earlier this year, we completed the restoration of the front room in the west wing. This is the oldest and most significant room at Happy Retreat. We believe it was the first part of the house built by Charles Washington in read more
June 2025 Rising Sun Newsletter
We have had another busy and fruitful year to date. As you will read below, we finished restoration of the interior of the first floor of the west wing, the oldest part of the house. The service prep kitchen will be installed by the read more
History Comes to Life – Patriots of 1775 – The Fight For Liberty.
Date: May 3, 2025
Free and open to the public! Join us this Spring for an immersive journey back to the 18th century. Witness history come to life as the brave soldiers of the 8th Virginia Regiment march, and endure the struggles of the American ... read more
November 2024 Rising Sun Newsletter
It was a novel experience to open the front door and step into the front hall at Happy Retreat, the first hot day of many hot days this summer and to feel the cool breeze blowing from the ducts of our new HVAC system. Never before in ... read more
WV Humanities Council Grant to Further Study of Enslaved Community
In 2019, Happy Retreat facilitated and participated in the presentation “What We Found When We Came Together: Shared Roots Beneath Jefferson County Walls.” The presentation at Fisherman’s Hall, in Charles Town, recounted a compelling ... read more
Happy Retreat Open House – October 5th, 2024 2PM-4PM
Date: October 5, 2024
Happy Retreat’s Final Free Open House for the Season Saturday 2PM to 4PM read more