October 13 - WV Breeders Classic
SUMMIT POINT MOTORSPORTS PARK
www.summitpoint-raceway.com
304-725-8444
P.O. Box 190, Summit Point, WV 25446
World-class auto and motorcycle racing and training courses. Open most weekends April through October.
GEORGE WASHINGTON HERITAGE TRAIL
www.washingtonheritagetrail.com
MOUNTAIN HERITAGE ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL
www.jeffersoncounty.com
800-624-0577 or 304-725-2055
Sponsored by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, this festival is held biannually at Sam Michael's Park on the second full weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) in June and the last full weekend in September. It features approximately 200 juried artists/crafts persons, live bluegrass music, and a variety of food. Call for further information and/or a brochure.
JIM SURKAMP TOURS
304-261-7911
Come see the most historic and beautiful county in America. Let Jim Surkamp be your guide into this enchanted land. Lots of stories, lots of fun. Surkamp Tours
JEFFERSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
304-728-3240
Visit the famous courthouse where John Brown was tried for treason in 1859. Rebuilt in 1836, the courthouse remains a working courthouse, not a museum. It stands as the vital center of government in this busy county. Open Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
JEFFERSON COUNTY MUSEUM
304-725-8628
The Jefferson County Museum is located on the first floor of the library/museum complex in Charles Town. It is open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The museum houses an important collection of Civil War and John Brown artifacts.
CHARLES TOWN
Visit historic Charles Town, a picturesque collection of homes, churches, and public buildings. The town was founded in 1786 by an act of the Virginia Legislature on land provided by Charles Washington, youngest brother of the first President of the United States. Today, six homes built by the Washington family still stand, showing the first President's influence on the area. Visit the Zion Episcopal Church Cemetery in which the graves of 75 members of the Washington family as well as soldiers from the American Revolution & Civil War are found. Charles Town offers lots of history as well as a thriving down town with antique shops and restaurants. For a walking tour map contact the Jefferson County CVB at 304-535-2627 or 800-866-HELLO-WV.
OLD OPERA HOUSE
www.oldoperahouse.org
304-725-4420 or 888-900-SHOW
Built in 1910, the Old Opera House is the oldest theatre in West
Virginia and is on the National Historic Register. The Old Opera
House Theatre Company presents a variety of programming; including
live musicals, plays, children's theatre, art, concerts and dance!
Theatre runs year-round; group rates and tours available. Call for
show times and reservations. The Old Opera House is located on the
corner of Liberty and George Streets in historic Charles Town.
HARPERS FERRY GHOST TOURS
304-725-8019
Wander the streets of Harpers Ferry by lantern light to gain a unique look at the town's history. Tours offered April through November. $5 per person. Reservations required in October.
HARPERS FERRY FLEA MARKET
www.harpersferryfleamkt.com
304-725-4141 or 304-125-0092
Harpers Ferry Flea Market--Since 1983--Route 340--1 mile south of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Open March through December 1, Saturday and Sunday, Dawn to Dusk
RIDGEFIELD FARM
www.ridgefieldfarm.com
(304) 867-3647
Kidwiler Rd, Rt. 3 Box 840, Harpers Ferry WV 25425
Visit Ridgefield Farm and Orchard near historic Harpers Ferry, WV to experience the harvests and capture the mood of the seasons. Discover the satisfaction of picking your own apples and pumpkins in the natural beauty of our farm setting. Share the fun of cutting your own Christmas tree with your family and friends. If your time is limited, all of these freshly harvested products are also available at our farm market. Open from mid-July until years end.
SHEPHERDSTOWN
Visit the oldest town in West Virginia and the site of James Rumsey's first successful demonstration of a steam powered boat in 1787. Shepherdstown was an open-air hospital during the Civil War, especially after the Battle of Antietam. It is home to the Contemporary American Theater Festival and the Rumsey Regatta Festival. This quaint town is popular for its trendy shops, jewelry stores, art galleries, bakeries, and restaurants. For more information contact the Shepherdstown Visitors Center at 304-876-2786.
Contemporary American Theater Festival
www.catf.org
HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN MUSEUM
304-876-0910
Located in the Entler Hotel, the museum recaptures the feeling of a small town hotel prior to the Civil War. Period furnishings grace two rooms on the main floor. The second floor features a traveler's room and a Victorian sitting room. The museum houses many Civil War and Shepherdstown antiques. Also, the rear of the main building contains the half-scale replica of James Rumsey's steamboat. It is often exhibited steaming under its own power on special occasions, such as the Rumsey Regatta in July. Open April - October 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays. Donations accepted.
RUMSEY MONUMENT
A park and monument overlooks the Potomac River where James Rumsey gave the first public demonstration of his steamboat in 1787. Located at the North end of Mill Street in Shepherdstown. Group picnics can be held at the Rumsey Monument; reservations are made through the Mayor's office at 304-876-2605. For general information call the Shepherdstown Visitors Center at 304-876-2786.
SHOPPING
Catch up on some much needed shopping in Jefferson County. There are over 20 different antique shops for the serious collector or the window shopper. In addition, there are numerous craft shops, jewelry stores, bakeries, art galleries, outfitters, Civil War memorabilia stores, book stores, and herbalists. Pick up your favorites at the farmers market or right off the tree at one of our many orchards.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Enjoy the many fairs and festivals that Jefferson County has to offer.
- April: House & Garden Tour
- June: Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festival
Thunder in the Valley Civil War Re-enactment
- July:
- August:
- September:
- Charles
Town Heritage Festival, 4th Saturday
- Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festival
- October:
- Election Day 1860
- Wine & Craft Festival
- Pumpkin Fest at Ridgefield Farm & Orchard
- November: Christmas in Shepherdstown
- December:
- Olde Tyme Christmas in Harpers Ferry
- Historic Christmas in Charles Town
- Christmas in Shepherdstown
-
Charles Town Horse Parade
WV DIVISION OF TOURISM
800-CALL-WVA
WV WELCOME CENTER
in Harpers Ferry --1-866-HELLO-WV
The West Virginia Welcome Center is located off Rt. 340 in Harpers Ferry. It offers complete lodging, dining, and attraction information for Jefferson County and the state of West Virginia. Free reservation service. Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. November 1-April 30, and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. May 1 - October 31. Open 7 days a week year round.
RACES
Enjoy live horse racing year round in this newly renovated facility. Also visit the new Silver Screen Gaming Complex featuring 1500 slot machines. Open seven days a week! Monday -Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 a.m., Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., & Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. Check the web page for the racing schedule, group packages, special events and much more. Charles Town Races offers free admission, free parking, free entertainment on most Friday & Saturday nights, and free sign up for the exclusive Players' Choice Club for racing and slot fans. Charles Town Races is the closest and most convenient slot facility to the Washington, D.C. metro area. Non-smoking areas are available in the gaming and racing areas during all hours of operation.
