Heritage Trail

Day 1
After arriving in West Virginia's Eastern Gateway, start the afternoon by visiting the beautiful Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. In the 1790's, George Washington assigned Harpers Ferry (then Virginia) to be one of the country's Federal Arsenals due to the convergence of the two rivers and their ability to run machinery with waterpower. This is also the site of John Brown's Raid on October 16, 1859 to arm and free the slaves. Insurrection was stopped by the US Marines led by Robert E. Lee. Visit several key museums including the John Brown Museum, gun factory demonstration, and the popular Harpers Ferry National Park Bookstore. Hardy visitors may be inclined to take a walk across the train bridge into Maryland to see Harpers Ferry from the other side, or climb the steps past St. Peters Catholic Church to Jefferson Rock. This rock is named for Thomas Jefferson, who upon standing on the rock, proclaimed the view "worth the trip across the Atlantic."

After indulging yourself in the many history offerings of the area, you may want to unwind and relax at one of our quaint restaurants or taverns, or does the sound of thundering hooves, ringing bells, and large Jackpots keep you awake. If gaming is part of your adventure, the place to be is the new Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. Now offering 85 new table games with a spectacular 27 table poker room, the new facilities coupled with the traditional horse racing and 5,000+ slot machines, makes for an exciting night on the town. Horse racing first came to Charles Town in 1786 when Charles Washington, brother of George and founder of Charles Town, began racing horses through the city streets.

Day 2
Day Two of your journey embarks on a tour of the Jefferson County section of the Washington Heritage Trail Scenic Byway, passing Washington family homes such as Happy Retreat, home of Charles Washington (George's youngest brother who founded Charles Town). Other Washington family homes on the tour include Blakely, Claymont Court, and Harewood. Blakely was owned by John Augustine Washington, George's brother, but was occupied by his son John Augustine Washington II. Claymont Court was owned by Bushrod Washington, grandson of John Augustine Washington. At Harewood, James and Dolley Madison were married in 1794. Dolley's sister, Lucy Todd Washington was married to Samuel (another of George's brothers) Washington's son George Steptoe Washington. All of the Washington family homes are private residences and are not available for interior tours.

On the afternoon of Day Two take a stroll through Charles Town. Take the Walking Tour of Charles Town which includes a stop at the Jefferson County Museum and view displays of Washington homes, papers from Charles Washington, founder of Charles Town. View original letters from George Washington written at the time of Charles's death in 1799. See the Civil War shell removed from a wall in a Charles Town home...it was still Live! Take a quick stroll over to see the site of the John Brown execution, and no visit to Charles Town would be complete without a stop at the Jefferson County Courthouse. The Courthouse, still in use today, is the site of the John Brown Trial as well as Two of the Three treason trials held in the US.

Group Tours visiting the area can also benefit from lectures, speakers, and special guests about the John Brown Raid and many other local history elements. Contact the Jefferson County CVB at (304) 535-2627 to arrange.