News & Announcements
The latest news and announcements from Friends of Happy Retreat.
History at it’s 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
CANCELED: Jefferson County Historical Society Picnic
Date: September 22, 2021
The JCHS annual picnic scheduled for September 22nd at Happy Retreat has been canceled due to Covid. We look forward to seeing you in 2022, Please stay Safe. read more
Intensive Chamber Music Workshop
Date: August 18, 2021
An inspiring, unforgettable day that will cultivate your love of chamber music. This is a half-day, intensive chamber music experience. No previous chamber music experience necessary. We welcome applications of all levels and ... read more
Appalacian Chamber Music Festival Programs Announced!
The Appaclacian Chamber Music Festival announced the festival programs for this summer! 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
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
May 2021 Rising Sun Newsletter
Friends of Happy Retreat, like the rest of the world, is gradually emerging from the pandemic. Although we were not able to hold events over the past year, work on restoration and planning continued. As reported in our last newsletter, 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