Between September 2009 and May 2010, the Jefferson County Historical Society and the Men’s Club of Shepherdstown are hosting a series of presentations by local experts on aspects of Jefferson County History. In the second of the series on October 12, Dennis Frye, Chief Historian at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, will discuss the circumstances surrounding the 100th anniversary of the raid, trial and execution of John Brown. Mr. Frye’s presentation is free and open to the public and will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the War Memorial Building, 102 N. German Street, Shepherdstown, WV. It will be preceded at 6 pm by a social hour at the same location for members of the Society and the Men’s Club. Persons interested in joining either of these organizations are welcome to come early and complete membership forms.
Writer, lecturer, guide, and preservationist, Dennis is a prominent Civil War historian and is the Chairman of the John Brown Quad State 150th Commemoration. Dennis has made numerous appearances on PBS, The History Channel, The Discovery Channel, and A&E as a guest historian, and he helped produce television features on the Battle of Antietam and abolitionist John Brown. Dennis served as an Associate Producer for the Civil War movie Gods and Generals, during which he recruited and coordinated nearly 3,000 reenactors for the film. Dennis also is one of the nation’s leading Civil War battlefield preservationists. He is co-founder and first president of the Save Historic Antietam Foundation, and he is co-founder and a former president of today’s Civil War Preservation Trust, where he helped save battlefields in twelve states.
Dennis is a tour guide and lecturer in demand, escorting Delta Queen steam boat excursions and leading tours for organizations such as the Smithsonian, National Geographic, numerous colleges and universities, and more than 80 Civil War Round Tables. Dennis also is a well-known author, with 60 articles and five books. His latest book is entitled Antietam Revealed. Dennis resides near the Antietam Battlefield in Maryland, and he and his wife Sylvia have restored the home that was used by General Burnside as his post-Antietam headquarters.
In his presentation, entitled “John Brown Raids….Again,” Dennis will examine the 1959 controversy swirling around the actions and persona of John Brown, which occurred 100 years after he launched his war against slavery at Harpers Ferry. Plans for the Brown centennial at that time raised emotions to a feverish pitch, placing Harpers Ferry on center stage before a national audience once again. Watch for monthly bulletins about each of the following presentations as well:
· November 9 Bill Theriault Development of a web-based historical data base of Jefferson County Land Records.
· December 8 Doug Perks All Quiet Along the Potomac–The Impacts of the War Between the States on Jefferson County.
· January 11 Keith Alexander 18th century waterfront commerce near Shepherdstown
· February 8 Jim Taylor Black History of Jefferson County
· March 8 Walter Washington and Betsy Wells The Washington Family in Jefferson County
· April 12 Doug Estep The Mine Wars’ Impacts on Jefferson County
In the third of the series on Tuesday, December 8th, local historian Doug Perks will discuss the 1860-1861 events in Jefferson County which surrounded the issue of Virginia’s secession from the Union. Mr. Perks’ presentation is free and open to the public and will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the War Memorial Building, 102 E. German Street, Shepherdstown, WV. It will be preceded at 6 pm by a social hour at the same location for members of the Society and the Men’s Club. Persons interested in joining either of these organizations are welcome to arrive early and complete membership forms.
Historian Doug Perks is the Recording Secretary for the Jefferson County Historical Society and the new Director of the Charles Town Library. He has been a director of the Historic Shepherdstown Commission, president of the Harpers Ferry Historical Association, and a member of the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission. Doug designed the Parks As Classrooms Educator’s Guide and the Niagara Movement Educator’s Guide for Harpers Ferry National Historical Park; coordinated the J. R. Clifford Youth Discovery Tent during the August, 2006, Niagara Movement Centennial Commemoration at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park; and coordinated the School House Ridge Elementary Program – a hands-on education experience in Civil War History for all Jefferson County 5th grade students. He has also developed and coordinated Burr Farm Days for all Jefferson County 4th grade students and the Prepared For Success- the History of Storer College program for Jefferson & Berkeley County 8th grade students while serving as education coordinator for the Harpers Ferry Historical Association. Doug presents community lectures on local history, and writes the Mr. Jefferson’s County column for the Guardian, the newsletter of the Jefferson County Historical Society.
“All Quiet Along the Potomac” is the title of a lecture series developed by Mr. Perks that will examine what happened in Jefferson County, Virginia during the American Civil War. The first in his series, entitled “I Am a Son of Virginia, and Her Destiny Shall be Mine,” will examine Jefferson County as she and her citizens struggle whether to remain with the Union or secede. “The Picket Guard – All Quiet Along the Potomac” was the title of a poem written by Ethel Lynn Eliot Beers published in Harper’s Weekly, November 30, 1861. But at that time nothing was further from the truth for the citizens of Jefferson County, Virginia.
To have a more complete understanding of the American Civil War one needs to examine not only what happened on the battlefields, but also what happened at home. Jefferson County, Virginia’s experience during those four years wasn’t any worse or any better than any other place in The Valley of the Shenandoah, east of the Blue Ridge, or North of the Potomac. By taking a look at what happened in the county during that time and by using where possible the words of the men and women who shared the experience, we are given an opportunity to better understand that the American Civil War changed not only the lives of the men who fought “The War,” but also changed the lives of the men, women, and children who remained at home.
For more information about the presentation, contact Curt Mason at cmasonwhf@aol.com. To learn more about the Men’s Club and the Historical Society, please visit their respective web sites at http://www.smc25443.org/ and http://www.jeffersonhistoricalwv.org.
The South Jefferson Public Library is pleased to announce the sixth in its series of free concerts. On Sunday, December 6th, 2009, Rick Garland, noted Civil War reenactor and musician, will celebrate the Christmas Season with a very special Song & Stories Sing-A-Long Show to tell you how and where many of our favorite modern day Christmas customs and traditions came from!
Everyone will be entertained and at least a little bit educated as we all sing songs and hear true stories about Christmas traditions through the ages, with an emphasis on how our modern Christmas celebrations have been formed from the past!
Most people are unaware of the very large and influential role that the American Civil War had in our modern Christmas celebrations, including giving us all the Santa Claus that we all know and love today! Rick’s “O’ Be JoyFull’s” Christmas Show will tell you the hows and why of this little known fact about our modern Santa Claus! The show will be done in the style of a 19th Century Sing-A-Long and with the song lyrics provided so that everyone is able to participate in the number one entertainment pastime of America’s 19th Century and the “Romantic” and “Victorian” Eras!
As always, Rick wears historically correct clothing from the 19th Century for the show. Children and adults of all ages won’t want to miss Rick’s powerful voice, colorful costume, and rousing piano as he creates an unforgettable fun-filled Christmas holiday experience.
Come early and join in the celebration of the library’s 25th Anniversary and view Martinsburg artist Ralph Basford’s exhibition of fine oil paintings on display in the meeting room. For additional information, visit either Rick’s web site, http://www.obejoyfull.com/Christmas_Show.html, the library’s web site, http://www.sojeffersonlibrary.com/, or contact Curt Mason, art and music programs coordinator, at cmasonwhf@aol.com.
Between September 2009 and May 2010, the Jefferson County Historical Society and the Men’s Club of Shepherdstown are hosting a series of presentations by local experts on aspects of Jefferson County History.
In the fourth of the series, on January 11, Dr. Keith Alexander will discuss the history of eighteenth century waterfront commerce in and around Shepherdstown. Dr. Alexander’s presentation is free and open to the public and will begin at 7pm at War Memorial Building, 102 E. German Street, Shepherdstown, WV. It will be preceded at 6 pm by a social hour at the same location for members of the Society and the Men’s Club. Please note that Doug Perks presentation originally scheduled for December 8th will be held on May 10th.
Dr. Alexander is Director of Archives at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies and the coordinator of Shepherd’s Historic Preservation program. He received his MA in 1996 and his PhD in 2003 in history from the University of Maryland. He has been involved in historic preservation efforts in West Virginia and in Germany. His research interests include green historic preservation and service learning in preservation education.
Dr. Alexander’s presentation will explore the Potomac’s role in the settlement that became known as Shepherdstown. The river functioned as both barrier and highway, with ferries and mills being the main waterfront industries in the eighteenth century. Early in Shepherdstown’s history, residents viewed the Potomac as playing a key part of their town’s future by serving as a vital artery for trade and transit. Though this potential was never fully realized, examining the river’s early meaning to Shepherdstown helps us better understand our community and provides historical context for recent efforts to bring new life to Shepherdstown’s waterfront.
Watch for monthly reminders and abstracts about each of the following presentations as well:
• February 8 Jim Taylor Black History of Jefferson County
• March 8 Walter Washington & Betsy Wells (Washington Family Descendants) The Washington Family in Jefferson County
• April 12 Doug Estep The Mine Wars’ Impacts on Jefferson County
• May 10 Doug Perks I Am a Son of Virginia, and Her Destiny Shall be Mine, the story of Jefferson County’s struggle over whether to secede from the Union.
Tri-State Singles Connection is sponsoring Dances for ages 21 or over on Friday March 12th, and Friday March 26th from 8:00 P.M. to midnight at the Knights of Columbus, 20340 Leitersburg Pike, Hagerstown. DJ Music, Casual Dress, Cash Bar, Snacks & Door Prizes. $5 members, $6 non-members. Dances are held the 2nd, 4th, & 5th Friday of each month. Also mixed singles fun volleyball for men & women every Monday from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. at the Presbyterian Church of Hagerstown on the corner of West Washington & South Prospect Streets in Hagerstown. $2 per person. For directions and more information, telephone 240-520-8985 or go to http://www.tristatesinglesconnection.com on the web.
In the seventh of the series on Monday April 12, local history expert Doug Estepp will present a photo essay conveying the color, the character, and the enormity of the events known collectively as the West Virginia Mine Wars, which concluded with a series of treason trials held in the Jefferson County Courthouse in 1922. The presentation is free and open to the public and will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the War Memorial Building, 102 E. German Street, Shepherdstown, WV. It will be preceded at 6 pm by a social hour at the same location for members of the Society and the Men’s Club. Persons interested in joining either of these organizations are welcome to arrive early and complete membership forms.
Mr. Estepp graduated from West Virginia University in 1984 with a B.A. in History. For the past twenty-five years he has been employed as a federal tax specialist for the Department of the Treasury. However, for thirty years he has also pursued his passion for the history of coal mining in West Virginia, especially the events that have become known as the Mine Wars. Mr. Estepp will base his talk on the hundreds of artifacts, photos, and images he has collected and will bring some of his artifacts for public viewing. In 2000, Doug put his passion to work when he joined with Carol Gallant and Jim Whipple in their successful eight year fight to save the historic Jefferson County Jail from demolition. The jail is closely associated with the treason trials, the main defendants having been incarcerated there. He currently resides in Shenandoah County, VA with his wife Carol.
During his presentation, he will examine the events surrounding the trials and their impact on Jefferson County, including the trials themselves, the interactions between the trial participants and the populace of Jefferson County, and the residual effects of the trials. As a prelude, he will give a general history of developments in the southern coalfields from 1900 through 1922 including the 1902 strike, the Paint Creek and Cabin Creek Strike of 1913, the 1914 Colorado strike, and the Matewan Massacre.
He will also discuss the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest organized armed uprising in United States labor history which led almost directly to the labor laws currently in effect in the United States. For nearly a week in late August and early September 1921, in Logan County, West Virginia, between 10,000 and 15,000 coal miners confronted company-paid private detectives in an effort to unionize the southwestern West Virginia mine counties. In many respects the Battle of Blair Mountain continues today, as coal companies continue to seek permits to conduct the destructive practice of mountaintop removal and issues concerning the listing of Blair Mountain in the National Register of Historic Places resound throughout the state and in Washington D.C.
Watch for monthly reminders and abstracts about the two remaining presentations as well:
• May 10 Doug Perks I Am a Son of Virginia, and Her Destiny Shall be Mine, the story of
Jefferson County’s struggle over secession from the Union.
• June 14 Jerry Thomas Soul of the People: The Federal Writers Project
Following a summer break, the series will restart using a rotating venue format with presentations in Charles Town (September), Ranson (October), and November (Harpers Ferry), returning to the Men’s Club in December
# 2 April 2010 at 8:18 am
Gary H. said:
**FREE CONCERT** in nearby Clark county, VA (Berryville VA).
Berryville ‘mini-music fest’
Free Concert in Berryville Park
Friday, July 23rd 6:30 – 8:45
Berryville Park presents:
The ‘A-2-Z’ Show (A to Z) – Multiple bands, something for everyone & every age; Have a picnic or just enjoy the show:
3. – Guests from ‘SATURN DOWN’
Guests from Saturn Down will also be on hand to play some originals or country/rock; Their music has been featured on DC101 & they opened for ‘Blues Traveler’ at Loudoun Music Fest.
# 22 July 2010 at 12:36 pm
Doug Perks said:
“Testimony of the Rocks” Tours
The Elmwood Cemetery Board of Directors is pleased to announce the annual “Testimony of the Rocks” Tour. This year the board is offering two tours. The first tour is scheduled for Saturday, August 14th at 10:30 a.m. The second tour is scheduled for Saturday, August 21st at 6:30 p.m. The same information will be offered at each tour, so if you can’t make one, plan to take the other.
As in years past the tours will be led by Shepherdstown Historian Laureate Dr. Jim Price. He will be assisted this year by local historians Steve French and Doug Perks. Together the three will give graveside accounts of men and women about whom they have written and spoken. As usual, Dr. Price will offer a few colorful side notes about some of these departed.
The cost of the tour is $10 per person. All proceeds will go toward the upkeep of historic Elmwood Cemetery. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and your walking shoes. Gnats are bothersome this time of year, so bring along your favorite remedy.
Charles Town Heritage Festival
Saturday September 18, 2010
Starting at 10am
Downtown Charles Town at the Intersection of Washington and Charles Streets
Admission to the festival is FREE but some activities will require a ticket purchase
The Charles Town Heritage Festival is a family-friendly event that celebrates the rich history of Jefferson County. Experience exciting hands-on history activities, live music, craft fair, local history films and more! Take a guided tour of one of Charles Town’s Historic Districts or visit Charles Washington’s home Happy Retreat. Watch storytellers recount the tales of historic characters. Discover local artisans and farm products. Watch a historic reenactment in the historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Play Colonial kids games while listening to folk music. History awaits you!
Activities begin at 10am in Historic Downtown Charles Town. Rain or Shine. Entrance to the festival is free however tickets are required for some events. For more information please visit http://www.historiccharlestownwv.com.
# 29 July 2010 at 10:52 am
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Welcome to wvObserver.com, The Observer's official website. The Observer is a monthly publication based in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. We bring news, events, and articles to the eastern panhandle.
Between September 2009 and May 2010, the Jefferson County Historical Society and the Men’s Club of Shepherdstown are hosting a series of presentations by local experts on aspects of Jefferson County History. In the second of the series on October 12, Dennis Frye, Chief Historian at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, will discuss the circumstances surrounding the 100th anniversary of the raid, trial and execution of John Brown. Mr. Frye’s presentation is free and open to the public and will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the War Memorial Building, 102 N. German Street, Shepherdstown, WV. It will be preceded at 6 pm by a social hour at the same location for members of the Society and the Men’s Club. Persons interested in joining either of these organizations are welcome to come early and complete membership forms.
Writer, lecturer, guide, and preservationist, Dennis is a prominent Civil War historian and is the Chairman of the John Brown Quad State 150th Commemoration. Dennis has made numerous appearances on PBS, The History Channel, The Discovery Channel, and A&E as a guest historian, and he helped produce television features on the Battle of Antietam and abolitionist John Brown. Dennis served as an Associate Producer for the Civil War movie Gods and Generals, during which he recruited and coordinated nearly 3,000 reenactors for the film. Dennis also is one of the nation’s leading Civil War battlefield preservationists. He is co-founder and first president of the Save Historic Antietam Foundation, and he is co-founder and a former president of today’s Civil War Preservation Trust, where he helped save battlefields in twelve states.
Dennis is a tour guide and lecturer in demand, escorting Delta Queen steam boat excursions and leading tours for organizations such as the Smithsonian, National Geographic, numerous colleges and universities, and more than 80 Civil War Round Tables. Dennis also is a well-known author, with 60 articles and five books. His latest book is entitled Antietam Revealed. Dennis resides near the Antietam Battlefield in Maryland, and he and his wife Sylvia have restored the home that was used by General Burnside as his post-Antietam headquarters.
In his presentation, entitled “John Brown Raids….Again,” Dennis will examine the 1959 controversy swirling around the actions and persona of John Brown, which occurred 100 years after he launched his war against slavery at Harpers Ferry. Plans for the Brown centennial at that time raised emotions to a feverish pitch, placing Harpers Ferry on center stage before a national audience once again. Watch for monthly bulletins about each of the following presentations as well:
· November 9 Bill Theriault Development of a web-based historical data base of Jefferson County Land Records.
· December 8 Doug Perks All Quiet Along the Potomac–The Impacts of the War Between the States on Jefferson County.
· January 11 Keith Alexander 18th century waterfront commerce near Shepherdstown
· February 8 Jim Taylor Black History of Jefferson County
· March 8 Walter Washington and Betsy Wells The Washington Family in Jefferson County
· April 12 Doug Estep The Mine Wars’ Impacts on Jefferson County
In the third of the series on Tuesday, December 8th, local historian Doug Perks will discuss the 1860-1861 events in Jefferson County which surrounded the issue of Virginia’s secession from the Union. Mr. Perks’ presentation is free and open to the public and will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the War Memorial Building, 102 E. German Street, Shepherdstown, WV. It will be preceded at 6 pm by a social hour at the same location for members of the Society and the Men’s Club. Persons interested in joining either of these organizations are welcome to arrive early and complete membership forms.
Historian Doug Perks is the Recording Secretary for the Jefferson County Historical Society and the new Director of the Charles Town Library. He has been a director of the Historic Shepherdstown Commission, president of the Harpers Ferry Historical Association, and a member of the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission. Doug designed the Parks As Classrooms Educator’s Guide and the Niagara Movement Educator’s Guide for Harpers Ferry National Historical Park; coordinated the J. R. Clifford Youth Discovery Tent during the August, 2006, Niagara Movement Centennial Commemoration at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park; and coordinated the School House Ridge Elementary Program – a hands-on education experience in Civil War History for all Jefferson County 5th grade students. He has also developed and coordinated Burr Farm Days for all Jefferson County 4th grade students and the Prepared For Success- the History of Storer College program for Jefferson & Berkeley County 8th grade students while serving as education coordinator for the Harpers Ferry Historical Association. Doug presents community lectures on local history, and writes the Mr. Jefferson’s County column for the Guardian, the newsletter of the Jefferson County Historical Society.
“All Quiet Along the Potomac” is the title of a lecture series developed by Mr. Perks that will examine what happened in Jefferson County, Virginia during the American Civil War. The first in his series, entitled “I Am a Son of Virginia, and Her Destiny Shall be Mine,” will examine Jefferson County as she and her citizens struggle whether to remain with the Union or secede. “The Picket Guard – All Quiet Along the Potomac” was the title of a poem written by Ethel Lynn Eliot Beers published in Harper’s Weekly, November 30, 1861. But at that time nothing was further from the truth for the citizens of Jefferson County, Virginia.
To have a more complete understanding of the American Civil War one needs to examine not only what happened on the battlefields, but also what happened at home. Jefferson County, Virginia’s experience during those four years wasn’t any worse or any better than any other place in The Valley of the Shenandoah, east of the Blue Ridge, or North of the Potomac. By taking a look at what happened in the county during that time and by using where possible the words of the men and women who shared the experience, we are given an opportunity to better understand that the American Civil War changed not only the lives of the men who fought “The War,” but also changed the lives of the men, women, and children who remained at home.
For more information about the presentation, contact Curt Mason at cmasonwhf@aol.com. To learn more about the Men’s Club and the Historical Society, please visit their respective web sites at http://www.smc25443.org/ and http://www.jeffersonhistoricalwv.org.
The South Jefferson Public Library is pleased to announce the sixth in its series of free concerts. On Sunday, December 6th, 2009, Rick Garland, noted Civil War reenactor and musician, will celebrate the Christmas Season with a very special Song & Stories Sing-A-Long Show to tell you how and where many of our favorite modern day Christmas customs and traditions came from!
Everyone will be entertained and at least a little bit educated as we all sing songs and hear true stories about Christmas traditions through the ages, with an emphasis on how our modern Christmas celebrations have been formed from the past!
Most people are unaware of the very large and influential role that the American Civil War had in our modern Christmas celebrations, including giving us all the Santa Claus that we all know and love today! Rick’s “O’ Be JoyFull’s” Christmas Show will tell you the hows and why of this little known fact about our modern Santa Claus! The show will be done in the style of a 19th Century Sing-A-Long and with the song lyrics provided so that everyone is able to participate in the number one entertainment pastime of America’s 19th Century and the “Romantic” and “Victorian” Eras!
As always, Rick wears historically correct clothing from the 19th Century for the show. Children and adults of all ages won’t want to miss Rick’s powerful voice, colorful costume, and rousing piano as he creates an unforgettable fun-filled Christmas holiday experience.
Come early and join in the celebration of the library’s 25th Anniversary and view Martinsburg artist Ralph Basford’s exhibition of fine oil paintings on display in the meeting room. For additional information, visit either Rick’s web site, http://www.obejoyfull.com/Christmas_Show.html, the library’s web site, http://www.sojeffersonlibrary.com/, or contact Curt Mason, art and music programs coordinator, at cmasonwhf@aol.com.
Between September 2009 and May 2010, the Jefferson County Historical Society and the Men’s Club of Shepherdstown are hosting a series of presentations by local experts on aspects of Jefferson County History.
In the fourth of the series, on January 11, Dr. Keith Alexander will discuss the history of eighteenth century waterfront commerce in and around Shepherdstown. Dr. Alexander’s presentation is free and open to the public and will begin at 7pm at War Memorial Building, 102 E. German Street, Shepherdstown, WV. It will be preceded at 6 pm by a social hour at the same location for members of the Society and the Men’s Club. Please note that Doug Perks presentation originally scheduled for December 8th will be held on May 10th.
Dr. Alexander is Director of Archives at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies and the coordinator of Shepherd’s Historic Preservation program. He received his MA in 1996 and his PhD in 2003 in history from the University of Maryland. He has been involved in historic preservation efforts in West Virginia and in Germany. His research interests include green historic preservation and service learning in preservation education.
Dr. Alexander’s presentation will explore the Potomac’s role in the settlement that became known as Shepherdstown. The river functioned as both barrier and highway, with ferries and mills being the main waterfront industries in the eighteenth century. Early in Shepherdstown’s history, residents viewed the Potomac as playing a key part of their town’s future by serving as a vital artery for trade and transit. Though this potential was never fully realized, examining the river’s early meaning to Shepherdstown helps us better understand our community and provides historical context for recent efforts to bring new life to Shepherdstown’s waterfront.
Watch for monthly reminders and abstracts about each of the following presentations as well:
• February 8 Jim Taylor Black History of Jefferson County
• March 8 Walter Washington & Betsy Wells (Washington Family Descendants) The Washington Family in Jefferson County
• April 12 Doug Estep The Mine Wars’ Impacts on Jefferson County
• May 10 Doug Perks I Am a Son of Virginia, and Her Destiny Shall be Mine, the story of Jefferson County’s struggle over whether to secede from the Union.
For more information about the Men’s Club and the Historical Society, please visit their respective web sites at http://www.smc25443.org/ and http://www.jeffersonhistoricalwv.org.
Tri-State Singles Connection is sponsoring Dances for ages 21 or over on Friday March 12th, and Friday March 26th from 8:00 P.M. to midnight at the Knights of Columbus, 20340 Leitersburg Pike, Hagerstown. DJ Music, Casual Dress, Cash Bar, Snacks & Door Prizes. $5 members, $6 non-members. Dances are held the 2nd, 4th, & 5th Friday of each month. Also mixed singles fun volleyball for men & women every Monday from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. at the Presbyterian Church of Hagerstown on the corner of West Washington & South Prospect Streets in Hagerstown. $2 per person. For directions and more information, telephone 240-520-8985 or go to http://www.tristatesinglesconnection.com on the web.
In the seventh of the series on Monday April 12, local history expert Doug Estepp will present a photo essay conveying the color, the character, and the enormity of the events known collectively as the West Virginia Mine Wars, which concluded with a series of treason trials held in the Jefferson County Courthouse in 1922. The presentation is free and open to the public and will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the War Memorial Building, 102 E. German Street, Shepherdstown, WV. It will be preceded at 6 pm by a social hour at the same location for members of the Society and the Men’s Club. Persons interested in joining either of these organizations are welcome to arrive early and complete membership forms.
Mr. Estepp graduated from West Virginia University in 1984 with a B.A. in History. For the past twenty-five years he has been employed as a federal tax specialist for the Department of the Treasury. However, for thirty years he has also pursued his passion for the history of coal mining in West Virginia, especially the events that have become known as the Mine Wars. Mr. Estepp will base his talk on the hundreds of artifacts, photos, and images he has collected and will bring some of his artifacts for public viewing. In 2000, Doug put his passion to work when he joined with Carol Gallant and Jim Whipple in their successful eight year fight to save the historic Jefferson County Jail from demolition. The jail is closely associated with the treason trials, the main defendants having been incarcerated there. He currently resides in Shenandoah County, VA with his wife Carol.
During his presentation, he will examine the events surrounding the trials and their impact on Jefferson County, including the trials themselves, the interactions between the trial participants and the populace of Jefferson County, and the residual effects of the trials. As a prelude, he will give a general history of developments in the southern coalfields from 1900 through 1922 including the 1902 strike, the Paint Creek and Cabin Creek Strike of 1913, the 1914 Colorado strike, and the Matewan Massacre.
He will also discuss the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest organized armed uprising in United States labor history which led almost directly to the labor laws currently in effect in the United States. For nearly a week in late August and early September 1921, in Logan County, West Virginia, between 10,000 and 15,000 coal miners confronted company-paid private detectives in an effort to unionize the southwestern West Virginia mine counties. In many respects the Battle of Blair Mountain continues today, as coal companies continue to seek permits to conduct the destructive practice of mountaintop removal and issues concerning the listing of Blair Mountain in the National Register of Historic Places resound throughout the state and in Washington D.C.
Watch for monthly reminders and abstracts about the two remaining presentations as well:
• May 10 Doug Perks I Am a Son of Virginia, and Her Destiny Shall be Mine, the story of
Jefferson County’s struggle over secession from the Union.
• June 14 Jerry Thomas Soul of the People: The Federal Writers Project
Following a summer break, the series will restart using a rotating venue format with presentations in Charles Town (September), Ranson (October), and November (Harpers Ferry), returning to the Men’s Club in December
**FREE CONCERT** in nearby Clark county, VA (Berryville VA).
Berryville ‘mini-music fest’
Free Concert in Berryville Park
Friday, July 23rd 6:30 – 8:45
Berryville Park presents:
The ‘A-2-Z’ Show (A to Z) – Multiple bands, something for everyone & every age; Have a picnic or just enjoy the show:
1. ‘MT Pockets & The Loose Change Pickers’ (bluegrass / country)
2. Redneck Rhythm Section (RRS) (country/rock)
3. – Guests from ‘SATURN DOWN’
Guests from Saturn Down will also be on hand to play some originals or country/rock; Their music has been featured on DC101 & they opened for ‘Blues Traveler’ at Loudoun Music Fest.
“Testimony of the Rocks” Tours
The Elmwood Cemetery Board of Directors is pleased to announce the annual “Testimony of the Rocks” Tour. This year the board is offering two tours. The first tour is scheduled for Saturday, August 14th at 10:30 a.m. The second tour is scheduled for Saturday, August 21st at 6:30 p.m. The same information will be offered at each tour, so if you can’t make one, plan to take the other.
As in years past the tours will be led by Shepherdstown Historian Laureate Dr. Jim Price. He will be assisted this year by local historians Steve French and Doug Perks. Together the three will give graveside accounts of men and women about whom they have written and spoken. As usual, Dr. Price will offer a few colorful side notes about some of these departed.
The cost of the tour is $10 per person. All proceeds will go toward the upkeep of historic Elmwood Cemetery. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and your walking shoes. Gnats are bothersome this time of year, so bring along your favorite remedy.
Charles Town Heritage Festival
Saturday September 18, 2010
Starting at 10am
Downtown Charles Town at the Intersection of Washington and Charles Streets
Admission to the festival is FREE but some activities will require a ticket purchase
The Charles Town Heritage Festival is a family-friendly event that celebrates the rich history of Jefferson County. Experience exciting hands-on history activities, live music, craft fair, local history films and more! Take a guided tour of one of Charles Town’s Historic Districts or visit Charles Washington’s home Happy Retreat. Watch storytellers recount the tales of historic characters. Discover local artisans and farm products. Watch a historic reenactment in the historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Play Colonial kids games while listening to folk music. History awaits you!
Activities begin at 10am in Historic Downtown Charles Town. Rain or Shine. Entrance to the festival is free however tickets are required for some events. For more information please visit http://www.historiccharlestownwv.com.
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