News & Announcements
The latest news and announcements from Friends of Happy Retreat.
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
November 2023 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
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
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
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