Institution

The Valley Art Association (VAA) has two parts,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://valleyartassoc.com/?page=membership">Valley Art Association Membership</a>&nbsp;and The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://valleyartassoc.com/?page=mansion_house">Mansion House Art Gallery</a>. Membership ranges from those who are just interested in art to practicing, professional artists. Members are drawn from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. There is a general monthly membership meeting and an&nbsp;elected Executive Board who strive to provide informative and exciting activities for members. The group creates an awareness and appreciation of art within the community by hosting special art exhibits, art workshops, classes, demonstrations by noted artists and art related field trips. At the Mansion House Art Center, members may display their artwork and one can view and purchase the works of over 20 regional artists.&nbsp;The old Mansion House creates a beautiful setting for the art that is displayed and is open year-round with no fee for visiting. Orignally called "Cedar Lawn" when built by John Heyser in 1846, the lovely Georgian-style mansion with its wrap-around porch&nbsp;overlooks Hagerstown's exquisite City Park and its large lake. &nbsp;&nbsp;Adjoining the Mansion House as neighbors in the park are the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts and the Historic Hager House/Museum. The Hagerstown City Park is a lovely stroll any season of the year and is easy to find. It is located on Virginia Avenue/Route 11 South in Hagerstown, Maryland. &nbsp;The Park is the beginning (or terminus) of Hagerstown's Cultural Trail, opened in 2017, which includes inspiring and entertaining&nbsp;art works by nationally known artists and will grow with future additions of art work planned. &nbsp;

The Mansion House as seen from City Park and Virginia Avenue.

The web site of The Valley Art Association

Website

A description of the Mansion House and the Heyser family, who built the house, originally known as Cedar Lawn.

More Info

Situated in one of the most beautiful city parks in America is a Georgian-style mansion house built by John Heyser circa 1846. The mansion serves as the headquarters for The Valley Art Association. Originally formed in 1938, there are currently more than 100 active members who love and support the visual arts.

Valley Art Association Mansion House - Heyser House

One of the main north-south native pathways through the WV region was the Great Indian Warpath that began in Creek territory in the southeast and traveled north. In eastern Tennessee the route splits into two branches, both of which travel at some point through West Virginia. The eastern branch, called the Chesapeake Branch or Warrior Path, only enters WV for a short stretch through the Eastern Panhandle. The route roughly parallels the route of modern US 11 and Interstate 81.  In the early Americas Native American societies developed a vast network of trails and pathways that connected societies from New York into Canada all the way into the Southeast and Southwest, into Mesoamerica. Archaeologists have found evidence of trade goods traveling between the Great Lakes and Gulf Coast, and large trading centers such as Cahokia (near modern St. Louis) facilitated long-distance trade between various regions in North America. Trails were also used as warpaths and many other uses, just as roads are used today. The trails through West Virginia were used by the Catawba, Algonquian tribes, the Cherokee, and nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. White explorers and settlers learned and used these paths and over time many have become the roadways of modern times. 

Brigadier-General James Johnston Pettigrew 
 Prior to his service in the Confederate Army, James Johnston Pettigrew graduated from the University of North Carolina, served as a professor at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, DC, was a licensed attorney in Charleston, South Carolina and served as a South Carolina state legislator.1&nbsp; &nbsp;He was recognized as a champion fencer and was fluent in five languages.&nbsp; After returning from a trip to Europe, Pettigrew opted to join the Confederate movement at the age of 34.&nbsp; He had no military experience, however based on his education and his family name, he was appointed to serve as the colonel of the 1st Regiment of Rifles. As such, he led 200 troops from the Citadel to take possession of the harbor fort known as Castle Pinckney.&nbsp; Pettigrew later passed up an opportunity to commission as a Captain and instead opted to enlist as a Private and quickly worked his way up the ranks.&nbsp;

On May 31, 1862, during the battle at Seven Pines, Virginia, Pettigrew was struck in the throat by a mini ball which passed through his shoulder.&nbsp; Retreating Confederate soldiers spotted Pettigrew’s body on the battlefield and reported that he had been killed in the battle. &nbsp;Union soldiers later found him wounded and transported him to a field hospital. Several months later after recovering from his wounds, Pettigrew was exchanged.&nbsp; In July of 1863, Pettigrew’s brigade joined the Army of Northern Virginia in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.&nbsp; After Division Commander, Harry Heth, was severely wounded, Pettigrew assumed his command and led his division into battle alongside General George Pickett’s division.&nbsp; After suffering heavy musket and cannon fire while crossing the open field, Pettigrew’s division was turned back just yards short of the Union line.&nbsp; During the battle, Pettigrew's hand was shattered by grapeshot, yet he was reportedly one of the last soldiers to leave the field.

In his relatively short time of service, Pettigrew had been wounded twice in battle, captured and released as part of a prisoner exchange and had led an advance during the infamous Pickett's Charge.&nbsp; It was during the subsequent retreat from Gettysburg that General Pettigrew assumed command over a faction of troops from the Army of Northern Virginia along with what remained of his North Carolina Brigade.&nbsp; During the Battle of Falling Waters on July 14, 1863 General Pettigrew was shot in the stomach by an advancing Union soldier after his own pistol reportedly misfired.&nbsp; Confederate soldiers are said to have pursued Pettigrew’s assailant, chasing him into a barn and beating him to death with a rock.&nbsp; Pettigrew was then transported roughly 20 miles to the home of John E. Boyd in Bunker Hill, Virginia (now West Virginia) arriving there on the evening of July 15th.&nbsp; Dr. George Trescott of the 1st South Carolina Rifles was called to treat Pettigrew for his wounds.2 
 On July 17, 1863 at approximately 6:25 AM, General Pettigrew was pronounced dead from that fatal gunshot wound.&nbsp; Many high-ranking officers visited with General Pettigrew at the Boyd house both before and after his passing.&nbsp; On the 16th, General Robert E. Lee, who had offered apologies to Pettigrew after Pickett’s Charge, professed his deep sorrow for Pettigrew's condition.&nbsp; The general responded that he had expected the worst and was prepared for it and was willing to die for his country.2 &nbsp;&nbsp;Generals Longstreet and A.P. Hill also visited with Pettigrew at the Boyd house prior to his passing.&nbsp; It is said that General James Johnston Pettigrew died a noble death, without a groan or a struggle.&nbsp; General Pettigrew's body was transported back to North Carolina and buried at the Capitol in Raleigh.&nbsp; His remains were later transferred to the family plantation in Tyrrell County.1&nbsp;

The James Johnston Pettigrew Monument was constructed in 1918 by The North Carolina Historical Commission and The North Carolina Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy. Next to the monument, there is a driveway which leads back to the John Boyd house and serves as a convenient place to pull off and park. Visitors can walk 650 feet back the lane to get a better look at the now abandoned John Boyd house where Pettigrew died.  While visiting the Bunker Hill area, be sure to also visit the other markers and monuments that are also located along Route 11, to include; the Morgan Morgan Marker, the Morgan Acres Marker, the Col. Morgan Morgan Monument, and the Morgan Cabin.


James Johnston Pettigrew Monument

Who was Morgan Morgan?Morgan Morgan emigrated to America sometime between the years of 1712 and 1716, and landed in Delaware. In 1713, Morgan Morgan got married to Catherine Garretson and later had a child with her named James in 1715. He later would end up settling in West Virginia in 1731 and named the 'Commission of the Peace' in 1734. He received a patent for 1,000 acres of land, which some say he was the first permanent resident there although some disagree with that allegation. Morgan Morgan died and is buried in the Morgan Chapel Graveyard. Morgan built the church in 1741 in Bunker Hill, WV. All of Morgan Morgan's descendants were also buried in the cemetery. Some of those descendants went to found Morgantown, WV. The CabinThe cabin was destroyed back in the 1700s and wasn't rebuilt until 1976 as a West Virginia and Berkeley County Bicentennial Project. When the cabin was rebuilt, they actually used many of the original logs to help keep some of the historical significance to it. Although in 1994, the house had siding put on to help protect the cabin and keep it structurally sound. Nearby is the stone and log house built by Morgan Morgan's son, Zackquill Morgan. He left home and later went to found Morgantown, WV. Morgan Morgan's cabin along with Zackquill Morgan's home and 104 acres are owned by the Berkeley County Historic Landmarks Commission.

Located in Bunker Hill, West Virginia, there is a cabin of the first known white resident of West Virginia, Morgan Morgan. In 1726, Morgan Morgan came to Western Virginia with his wife and five children. Morgan built his cabin between 1731-1734, and it consists of one room with a loft above it. 

Morgan's Cabin

Built in 1741 by Colonel Morgan Morgan I, the Morgan Chapel was the first Episcopal Church in what would become West Virginia. However, the chapel is named after his son, Morgan Morgan II. The original structure was a log building and was replaced in 1851 with the current red brick building. The adjoining cemetery dates back to the time of the original building. During the Civil War, the chapel housed soldiers from both sides. It also saw use as a makeshift fort, as there are spots where damage from artillery fire is still visible. In 2008, Reverend Clusmeyer, bishop of the Episcopal Disocese of West Virginia, hired workers to begin restoration efforts on the old chapel. When the workers peeled back the paint on the walls, writing and drawings were discovered underneath. After some research, this graffiti was dated back to when the building was occupied by soldiers. Study of the graffiti is ongoing and the chapel still holds services, though it is considered an unorganized mission. Its successor church is the Zion Church in Charles Town. The cemetery, formerly known as the Mill Creek Cemetery, contains the gravesites of a number of prominent individuals. Colonel Morgan Morgan I and his wife are buried there, as are Morgan Morgan II, III, IV, and V. Though the cemetery is primarily associated with the Morgans, several other prominent early families have graves there as well, such as the Burwell, Drinker and Kownslar families.

The original Morgan Chapel was constructed by Colonel Morgan Morgan, one of the earliest settlers of the region, in 1741 and was the first Episcopal Church in West Virginia. The current red-brick structure was built in 1851. During the Civil War, the chapel served as housing for soldiers on both sides, as well as fortifications. The structure is still in use today, though it is considered an unorganized mission.

Morgan Chapel and Graveyard

The church is located on property owned by Ward Hill Lamon. He was born in the winter of 1828 in Virginia. He was an attorney in Illinois and met Lincoln there. He was Abraham Lincoln's personal bodyguard and was not present on the night Abraham Lincoln was murdered. Lamon was only one of a few people who knew of a dream Lincoln had of his own death. &nbsp; Ward Hill Lamon was born in the winter of 1828 in Summit Point of what would have been Virginia but is now West Virginia. He was an attorney and later became Abraham Lincoln's personal bodyguard.&nbsp;Their friendship started in the mid 1800s.&nbsp;Both men met in Illinois and later opened a law practice together until Lamon became District Attorney for Bloomington.&nbsp;He was a very tall man, about 6' 4" which made him an ideal candidate to protect the President. Damon's loyalty, respect, and stature made for a great friend to Lincoln but even he couldn't undue the fate of Abraham Lincoln.&nbsp; Lamon was appointed to be&nbsp;the Marshall for Washington, DC and chief of protocol for the White House. He helped Lincoln sneak into Washington in February 1861 and avoid violence in Baltimore. He was known to have slept in the room next to the President or laying in front of his door during the night and leaving before anyone could see him.&nbsp; It is speculated that Lamon was one of a few people who knew of Lincoln's death dream. The dream either occurred the day before or ten days prior to Lincoln's death. One night Lincoln went to bed and in his dream he was waiting at the front of the White House when he heard sobs in another room in the White House. Lincoln went to the room and there was a corpse laying in a casket and when he asked around, people said that the corpse was assassinated. This story has been quoted by many authors even though some of the stories are conflicting.&nbsp; On April 11, 1865 President Lincoln sent Lamon to Richmond, Va against Lamon's wishes. On April 14, the President and the First Lady traveled to Ford's Theater. Instead, Lincoln was accompanied by John Frederick Parker. Who was known to be less than careless about his duties as a bodyguard to the President.&nbsp;It was at the time when Lincoln was most vulnerable that he was assassinated- without any security present.&nbsp; After Lincoln's death Lamon went back into law where he tried to run for Governor in 1876 but instead withdrew his nomination and voted for General Nathan Goff, who went on to win the nomination. On May 7, 1893 Lamon died in his brother house in Martinsburg, West Virginia. His daughter, Dolly Lamon Teillard, went on to write a book titled " Recollections of Abraham Lincoln, 1847-1865". She acclaims her father for writing the book. The book sold in 1912 and is now a part of The Huntington Library in San Marino, California.&nbsp;

Gerradstown Presbyterian Church dates back to a congregation established in the late 1700s. The first meetinghouse was built in what was then known as Middletown (later changed to Gerrardstown in honor of early church members John and David Gerrard)  between 1797 and 1798. The current church was built between 1892 and 1893 and is located at the same place a the previous building, constructed in 1817. 

Gerrardstown Presbyterian Church

Built on the land of James Buckells in 1791, Darkesville was named after General William Darke, a Virginia military officer who took part in both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. The name of the town has been a matter of debate as it has been known by other names, such as "Buckles Town" and other such variations. William Darke enlisted in&nbsp;the British Army in 1755, briefly serving under General Braddock during the disastrous attempt to take Fort Duquesne. Also during the same war, he would be a part of a ranger company under the command of Robert Rutherford, colloquially known as Rutherford's Rangers. During the Revolution, Darke was promoted to Captain with the Continental Army and was present at Siege of Yorktown in 1781. He would end his career as a Major General. The Darkesville Historical District is made up of forty-five historically significant buildings. Of those, twenty-five of them are log structures dating between 1780 and 1810. The remaining twenty are a combination of early stone structures and frame buildings. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Established in 1791, the town of Darksville, built on the land of James Buckells, is named for General William Darke, a soldier that served in both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. Forty-five historical buildings are within the town's border, many of which date back to before 1810. As of 1980, Darkesville was recognized as a historic district and included in the National Register of Historic Places. There is a matter of confusion about its name, as it has been referred to as "Buckles Town" and other variations.

Darkesville Historical District

Construction of the 1,000 plus square foot Hartwood Mansion began in 1929. George W.F. Mulliss oversaw the commission of the estate and it was designed by architect Alexander Merchant. George Mulliss became Vice President and Director of Operations with a merging branch of the Interwoven Stocking Company of New Brunswick. Mulliss was in charge of the company's Martinsburg mills. He was a dedicated member of the company and became the longest-serving member in the history of the Interwoven Stocking Company. The mills in Martinsburg employed 1,500 people, the largest single employer in Berkeley County. Under Miller's leadership, in 1940, the Martinsburg mills reached their highest production point, until his death in 1953. The National Register of Historic Places listed these mill buildings as Romanesque Revival Industrial buildings.In 1955, the Hartwood Mansion was bought by Samuel G. Lang. Lang was a college graduate of the University of Cincinnati as a Ceramics Engineer. The house remains a beautiful architectural masterpiece. While most Neo-Georgian Revival estates were built of frame or brick, this house was built of stone and included a slate roof. Lang added a stone garage to house his inventions in creating glass coated electrical components that were able to withstand intense heat.The entrance hall features specific Georgian style Manor designs, including a paneled staircase and paneled window reveals. Additionally, the doors, trim, cornices, and mantels feature Georgian design elements. The mansion also features a stone building in the back that has since been repurposed as a kitchen and two guest rooms. The estate's pool was sealed up in 1998 by owner Robbie Kiefer. It was replaced by a pond and fountain.In 2002, Daniel and Tiffany Harshbarger became the new owners. The house has since been used as an event house. Dan is the owner and executive chef of the Hartwood Mansion which is now called The Purple Iris. The Purple Iris caters numerous events and is also used as a restaurant. They also rent out the carriage house in the back of the house to newlyweds or those who want to book a bed and breakfast stay.

Built in 1929, the Purple Iris is a Twentieth Century Neo-Georgian Revival-style mansion that has been repurposed as an event house/restaurant that caters to events such as weddings, anniversaries, and other special gatherings. Located in Martinsburg, West Virginia this house features unique architecture. George W.F. Mulliss oversaw the original creation of the estate in the 1920s at a time when he was a supervisor at Interwoven Mills,  a producer of men's socks and other clothing products which was once the largest employer in Martinsburg. The estate was designed by architect Alexander Merchant.

The Purple Iris at Hartwood Mansion

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Industrialist Arthur Skadden began his first venture into
automobile manufacturing in 1909. Skadden named his company, the Norwalk Motor
Car Company, after his hometown of Norwalk, OH. Norwalk’s first effort was a
vehicle named the Auto-Bug.1 Skadden’s fledgling company ran into financial
trouble. Norwalk Motor Car was placed into receivership late in 1911.2 New investors
purchased the company and relocated it to the former site of the Brooklyn Brass
Works in Martinsburg, WV.3 Leaving the city of Norwalk proved difficult, a the
company was sued by both the county and a former employee.4 However, production
resumed in 1912.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Norwalk
Motor Car manufactured several models but one of the company’s most innovative
marks was The Underslung 6. “Underslung” refers to the chassis placement below
the axles, which allowed for a lower center of gravity and better handling. &nbsp;Fred I. Tone, an engineer for The American
Motors Company of Indianapolis, developed the “underslung” design in 1906.5 Norwalk
Motor Car employed the design on their "underslung" models. Beginning in 1913, Norwalk
Motor Cars also featured the Vulcan Electric Transmission and electric lock
brake. These advances greatly simplified the driving experience by replacing
cumbersome levers with push-buttons.6

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Company
officials marketed their models aggressively. In 1913, The Norwalk Motor Car
Company participated in the Chicago Auto Show7 and the New York Auto Show.8 In
an era when the U.S. road network was under-developed, a Norwalk official drove
from one show to the next. The car completed a 23,000-mile route beginning in
Martinsburg and ending in Reading, PA.9 Norwalk Motor Car was one of 107
automobile manufacturers to specify Goodyear Tires on their production
models.10 Norwalk marketed themselves in magazines and newspapers as being “The
Car of Absolute Exclusiveness.” Despite its innovative models and its
aggressive marketing, the company continued to experience problems. From its
peak in 1909, the number of American automobile manufacturers continued to
shrink.11 Failing to grow in an extremely competitive environment, the company
would again find itself in receivership in 1915. From 1918 to 1922, a company
named Norwalk assembled cars and trucks, including fire trucks. In 1922 the
plant closed for good.12&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In
September of 2008 The Friends of Norwalk Foundation, a non-profit corporation
was formed. The Foundation located and restored the only known existing Underslung
6 produced by The Norwalk Motor Car Company. Formed with two goals, The Friends
of Norwalk fundraising efforts are ear-marked to paying off the cost of
purchase and restoration of the Underslung 6 and to establish a permanent
location in which the car can be displayed.13 The restored Norwalk Motor Car is
temporarily on display in the Rural Transportation Museum at the Agricultural
Education Center in Boonsboro, MD.14

     The era of independent automobile manufacturing in the U.S. peaked in 1909. In that year, 272 different manufacturers produced automobiles. From 1909 until 1922, The Norwalk Motor Car Company was one of many automobile manufacturers that sought a piece of the U.S. market. Originally produced in Norwalk, OH the company relocated to Martinsburg, WV in 1910. Over the next twelve years Norwalk Motor Car produced cars and trucks in Martinsburg. One of Norwalk’s models, the 1913 Underslung 6, was marketed as “The Car of Absolute Exclusiveness.” Operations at the plant ceased in 1922 and the Norwalk Motor Car Company passed into history.

Norwalk Motor Car

When Interwoven Mills&nbsp;opened, it was the first textile factory powered by
electricity in the United States. The factory building was built along the B&amp;O Railroad line in Martinsburg, and the company also expanded building other several other manufacturing facilities&nbsp;in West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania in the 1920s.The company encountered financial and labor difficulties during the 1930s and early 40s, but they had some financial&nbsp;success producing socks for the United States military during World War II. Interwoven saw a decline in business and workers during the 1950s and 60s, and the company was bought out by Kayser-Roth in 1962.After Interwoven
was acquired by Kayser-Roth, the factory was shut down in the early 1970s, and production was moved
to North Carolina, where Kayser-Roth is based. Kayser-Roth is the producer of
the brand "No nonsense," which is a sock and hosiery brand that is carried by Walmart and other retailers.&nbsp;The former Interwoven Mills buildings are vacant as of 2019 although local officials and developers hope to convert the property into retail space or&nbsp;apartment housing. The property is currently listed for sale.&nbsp;

Interwoven Mills was a textile factory that specialized in the manufacturing of men’s hosiery. The mill opened in 1890 under the name Middlesex Knitting Company. The plant that stood at this location on Porter Avenue was the first textile mill to be powered by electricity in the United States. The company went through several ownership changes and operated under a few different names until 1962 when it was acquired by the Kayser-Roth Corporation. That textile manufacturer is still in business and based in North Carolina, but the Martinsburg plant was closed in 1976.

Interwoven Mills, Martinsburg (1890-1976)

The statue includes the names of 41 soldiers from the area who served in World War I, including a list of nurses and a separate&nbsp;list of African American soldiers. The statue depicts a typical infantry soldier whose left arm is extended forward. The soldier clutches a rifle in his other arm and is wearing a helmet with a brim and chin strap around his neck. He stands on the base with bronze plaques attached.The dough-boy statue was made with graphic region stone, built to honor the citizens of Berkeley County by the Berkley County Memorial Association. The statue was created by Walters A. Sinz of Cleveland who also created World War I monuments for communities in Pennsylvania and Michigan.&nbsp;The term "dough-boy" started as an insult leveled on infantrymen by members of the cavalry during the Mexican-American War. Given the transition from cavalry to infantry that occurred in the next twenty years, the term soon took on a different meaning as infantrymen took the leading role and changed the meaning of the term.

The Doughboy statue honors the infantry soldiers from Martinsburg and throughout Berkely County who served in the United States Army during the first World War. The statue was dedicated on New Year's Eve on 1925 and built by donations from local citizens. Many of these donations were secured through the efforts of the women of the American Legion Auxiliary, who solicited donations from local residents throughout the county on behalf of the Berkeley County Memorial Association. 

Doughboy Statue, Martinsburg WV

When the Virginia General Assembly created Berkeley County out of the existing Frederick County in 1772, prominent area landowners Adam Stephen and Jacob Hite began feuding over which of their still-undeveloped towns would become the county seat. While the Virginia Assembly contemplated which town should become the home of the new county court, the feud escalated. Stephen was in an advantageous position because he was the local sheriff and he used his position to his benefit. Stephen confiscated “fifteen of Hite’s slaves and twenty-one of his horses to be auctioned off in settlement against Hite.” (Hendricks)

Meanwhile, Justice Horatio Gates of the Revolutionary War, supported Hite, and broke into the local jail and reclaimed Hite’s property (Hendricks). Because of Stephen’s actions, Hite published a series of articles in the Virginia Gazette and accused Stephen of abusing his position as sheriff. Although Stephen responded to Hite’s accusations, their feud lost steam, and Hite became disgusted with the whole affair. The feud between the two landowners concluded with Hite selling his property and moving his family to North Carolina. 

With Hite out of the competition to gain the county court seat, Stephen commenced with mapping out Martinsburg and kept in mind the need to facilitate commerce. In Stephen’s original map of Martinsburg, he designed a public square that could nurture the social and cultural atmosphere of an emerging town, but also ensure commerce would thrive as well. Historian Christopher E. Hendricks notes the significance of Martinsburg's public square: “The central feature of the town was a Renaissance-style public square at the intersection of the two main avenues, King and Queen streets, an interesting and possibly revealing choice of names on the eve of the American Revolution.” The remainder of land that became Martinsburg was mapped out into blocks that formed a grid pattern. Common to eighteenth and early nineteenth-century urban planning, the grid pattern allowed for easy navigability in an unfamiliar town or city (Mohl). For the time being, the young town of Martinsburg steadily grew, and farming became a lucrative industry in the county.

By 1793, Martinsburg gained a population of about 1,000 people, and commerce had a significant chance to thrive. However, a history of Berkeley County from 1938 discussed the reticence of local farmers about selling their goods in Martinsburg. The fear of unregulated prices prevented local farmers from selling their crops, livestock, and cloth due to the lack of a well-regulated market and established fairs. While some residents preferred to buy goods on the streets, the local farmers wanted a guarantee of fair prices set at market value. Additionally, local farmers also wanted a market house to sell their goods to legitimize further their desires for fair market value. Stephen responded to the local conundrum and petitioned the Virginia General Assembly to establish a market house and clerk that could ensure any commerce taking place was fairly regulated. In turn, the Virginia General Assembly granted Stephen the market house and clerk on November 30, 1793. From that point on, the Public Square served as a social and cultural center as well as a regulated market exchange in Martinsburg.

Established at the end of the 18th century, Martinsburg's public square served as a social and cultural center as well as a regulated market exchange for the area following the decision to locate the county court in Martinsburg. Martinsburg was established by Virginia lawyer and landowner Adam Stephen. Shortly after the Virginia Assembly created Berkeley County, Stephen vied with Jacob Hite, the founder of Hitetown (modern-day Leetown) for the country seat. Hite petitioned the Virginia Assembly as both vied for their town to have the prestige and economic benefits of being the county seat. After the feud was settled, Stephen mapped out the new town of Martinsburg in 1772 around this public square. 

The Old Public Square of Martinsburg 

The city of Martinsburg, like many of the residents who lived there, found itself in the midst of the political and military conflict that led the nation to war. Control of the city&nbsp;changed hands between Union and&nbsp;Confederate forces over a dozen times as the two armies waged a battle for control of the Shenandoah Valley. In general, residents of the surrounding countryside supported the&nbsp;Confederacy while many of the residents and merchants in Martinsburg supported the Union. A week after Martinsburg delegates voted against secession,&nbsp;Confederate troops marched through Martinsburg on their way to Harpers Ferry in order to capture the armory there for the South. Residents of Martinsburg protested against their town's occupation by&nbsp;Confederate forces and this led to Colonel&nbsp;Thomas J. Jackson's decision to send&nbsp;reinforcements in hopes of demonstrating Southern resolve. Although Confederate troops took over the city, Martinsburg residents remained Unionist. This pro-Union sentiment only grew stronger when Jackson sent more troops to Martinsburg and ordered the destruction of area railroads and bridges to sow the Union army's response. Two months later, Union General Robert Patterson arrived in the area. On July 3, 1861, these Union troops secured control of the city and&nbsp;Patterson used the courthouse as&nbsp;his headquarters. Although majority of Martinsburg hoped to stay neutral or supported the Union, the city was home to&nbsp;Confederate supporters such as the soon-to-be-infamous Belle Boyd. On July 4th, a Union soldier reportedly swore at the mother of Belle Boyd in the midst of an argument. In response, Belle Boyd shot the man and this action began her career as an outlaw and&nbsp;spy for the Confederacy.&nbsp; The city changed hands from Confederate to Union and back many times in 1861 and 1862. Following the battle of Antietam, much of the city served as a makeshift Union hospital. The Confederacy gained control of the city several times in 1863 and 1864 and it was not until the final year of the war that this pro-Union city in what became the Unionist state of West Virginia remained under the control of local residents and Unionist forces.

This historical marker shares an overview of the history of Martinsburg during the Civil War. Owing to its strategic location, Union and Confederate forces vied for control of the city. In addition to its location on the Valley Pike, Martinsburg was the second-largest city in the Shenandoah Valley and a critical rail junction and along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Shortly after delegates from Martinsburg voted against secession in the 1861 convention in Richmond, Confederate troops occupied the city. Union and Confederate forces occupied the city one after the other for most of the early years of the war. As a result, the war saw the destruction of railroads and buildings, leaving much of the city in ruins until the Union gained control of the city and region in the late summer of 1864. 

Martinsburg Civil War Marker

In 1910 Emmanuel Daniel, father of Julies Garner, began his career as a tailor in the basement of the former Peoples Trust Company. In 1915, Emmanuel moved to 147 North Queen Street where he opened his tailor shop/ladies to wear shop. In the 1922 Martinsburg City Directory, the shop at 147 N Queen Street was known as a ladies ready to wear shop. After Emmanuel’s death in 1943, his wife Edith Garner took over the store. During this time, Julius Garner was serving in World War II the Army Infantry but afterwards would return to Martinsburg with his wife in 1946. In 1947, Julius and Lillian took over the business. The business would be known as Garner’s Ladies Shop until it closed in 1982.While busy at the store and raising family, the Gardner’s were prominent members of the Jewish community. Julius was a 1929 Martinsburg High School Graduate and became a member of the Exhausted Roosters, Martinsburg Lions Club, and Elks Lodge. Julies was one of the board of trustees of the Beth Jacob Synagogue who helped purchase the synagogue on West Martin Street and was a lifetime member of the Beth Jacob Synagogue. The business at 145 N Queen St would become known as the men’s Union Store by 1951 and in 1960-61 would be known as The Working Man’s Store until closing in 1982. As for 149 North Queen Street, many different businesses would occupy the space such as The Coffman-Fish Company department store, Sears Roebuck, and Western Auto Store. The businesses remained open until 1982 when the Garner’s retired. Since then many different businesses have occupied the spaces from mini mart to clothing and bookstores. Today Westward Charm and Engage occupy two of the three spaces.

Julius Garner and his wife Lillian owned and operated The Working Man’s Store and Garner’s Ladies Shop that was located at 145-149 North Queen Street. The business formed as a tailor shop/ladies ready to wear shop began with Julius Garner’s father Emmanuel Daniel in 1915. Julius and Lillian took over the Garner’s Ladies Shop in 1947. Lillian Garner took time off away from the store while raising her children but returned thirteen years later full time. The store remained in operation for 67 years and closed in 1982 when the Garner’s retired. Since then many different businesses have occupied the spaces from a mini-mart to clothing and bookstores. Today Westward Charm Boutique and Engage occupy two of the three spaces. 

145-149 North Queen St - Garner's Ladies Shop

Mendal “Max” Cohen born October 22, 1870 came to the United States in 1891 from Ukraine while fleeing oppression. He first moved to Florence South Carolina before moving to Winchester, Virginia where he opened two stores which included a ready to wear store and a furniture store. Max Cohen had two sons, Lou and Sol and one daughter Sarah. Max Cohen like many others in the Jewish community had an active live not only in the synagogue and other Jewish charities but also an active member with the Chamber of Commerce.Sol and Lou both served in World War I and like their father active in the synagogue and many Jewish organization. Sol also was an active member with Kiwanis, Masonic, the Shenandoah Area Council of the Boy’s Scouts of America, the Eastern Panhandle Shrine Club, the Berkeley County Historical Society, Friends of the Library, VFW and helped with the fundraising campaign which helped built the current Martinsburg-Berkeley County Library. Like his father and brother, Lou was also active in the Synagogue and other Jewish organizations. Lou also was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, the VFW, Kiwanis Club, City Hospital Board member, and during World War II was the first to get a War Production Board and helped sell War Bonds and held scrap metal drives. The Cohen’s moved to Martinsburg, WV in 1910 and purchased building now known as the Cohan &amp; Sons building in 1925.  Max Cohen ran the store until 1933 when his son Lou Cohen took over. The M. Cohen &amp; Sons store occupied on of the first-floor room with other rooms rented. The other stores included Cohen’s Salon of Beauty and Melart Inc Jewlers. The second floor were devoted to apartments and the top floor was Mr. Lou Cohen’s penthouse quarters. M. Cohen and Sons store was known as a specialty shop which sold dresses, suites and furs for women and misses. Lou Cohen, who took over the store, maintained a resident buying office in New York to stock the Martinsburg store. The store also had what Cohen called “order customers” with many who lived in Washington, D.C. and Virginia. The stores merchandise prices in 1960s ran from dresses from $19 to $1,300 for furs. The store remained in business until 1970. Since then many different businesses such as flower shop and other retail businesses has occupied the space. Today a restaurant called Brix 27 occupies the space formerly known at M. Cohen &amp; Sons.

The Cohen’s moved to Martinsburg, WV in 1910 and purchased building now known as the Cohan & Sons building in 1925. The building was built c. 1920 is a multi-color brick four bay building with pilasters that form from a molded continuous base. The fourth-level penthouse was added after World War II. The store was in the heart of Downtown Martinsburg and was in business from 1925 until 1970. Today Brix 27 occupies the space that was formerly known as the M. Cohen & Sons store. 

131-135 N Queen St - Cohen Building

Prior to the construction of the current building, a disastrous fire took place in 1900 that destroyed two buildings, one building being known as the Wilen building. In 1902 the current building was constructed. The building is one of the tallest building in Martinsburg, West Virginia. It is a three-story brick building that curves from North Queen Street to East Martin Street. A panel in the corner bay is stone with the “1902” date. The building was also the first building in Martinsburg to have an elevator in the store. The building is known as the “1902 building” and also known as “The Katz Building.” In 1910 one of the first Jewish Department stores was opened. The store was called “Katz &amp; Lipsic’s Department Store” which was owned by George Katz and Louis Lipsic. When the store opened in November of 1910 the Martinsburg Statesman paper reported that thousands of people visited the store. On the first-floor store sold dry goods and notions in the front and in the back of the store housed a men’s clothing department and a furnishings department. On the second floor the shoppers found ladies coats and millinery. On January 1, 1911 Louis Lipsic retired and the stores name changed to George Katz &amp; Company Department Store and later George Katz &amp; Sons After the death of George Katz in 1932, the three sons along with their mother continued to operate the store and expand it. The entire Katz family worked at the store. The department store contained the Women’s clothing and millinery department, furniture and home furnishing department, women’s clothing and ready-to-wear department, and women’s shoes and millinery hats department. The store even had a vault for fur coat storage. The corner became known as Katz Corner. During the 1940s the department store held fashion shows with the latest fashions with the shows being held at the Apollo Theater and also in the floor length windows on the second floor. From the 1930s to the 1960s a shopper could find taxi cabs lined up outside the store. The Katz &amp; Sons Department store remained in business and operated by the family until 1960 when the business was sold to Rosen &amp; Sons of Hagerstown. Today the building is an event venue known as “1902 on Queen.”

Constructed in 1902 after a great fire demolished the previous building, this building is one of the tallest building with the first elevator in downtown Martinsburg, West Virginia. The building is a three-story brick building the gently turns the corner from North Queen Street to East Martin Street. This building was one of the earliest Jewish owned department store in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The building now is home to an event venue know as 1902 On Queen. 

Katz Building

The Apollo Civic Theatre was built to replace the old Central Opera House. Harry and Mary Elizabeth Thorn took the undertaking after the sudden loss of their son as a way to occupy their time and minds and bring joy to others. They saw a need for a facility in downtown Martinsburg to provide entertainment for the city. This three story, Classical Revival style building has served multiple 
purposes – presenting motion pictures, plays, and touring shows such as 
vaudeville, music groups, singers, and comics. The Apollo continues to 
provide a venue for classic films, as well as community gatherings such 
as weddings, parties, dances, etc. – along with its 6-play season and a 
Youth Summer Theatre Workshop. Its most striking features are the 
repeated segmental arches over each bay, in addition to triple-sash 
transoms; the bracketed cornice is also distinctive, with a brick 
balustrade above. The theatre would become home to motion pictures, plays, Vaudeville acts, musicians, singers, comics and more throughout the years. The theatre opened on January 19, 1914 with a huge ceremony and gala. Since 1914 the Apollo has remained a focal point of entertainment for the community at large. In 1937 the front of the Apollo got an addition in the form of the Marquee, complete with flashing lights and overhang. It lasted until structural issues caused it to collapse in 1987. The theatre was renamed in 1936 to "Martinsburg Little Theatre" and then in 1939 to "Berkeley County Civic Theatre" and stayed until 1989. In 1989 the theatre was changed yet again to the current "Apollo Civic Theatre" and the name has stuck since. The theatre has also been the subject of some paranormal activity and investigation. An investigation ended with a positive note from the Spirit Chasers organization: "we did not have any “bad” or “negative” experiences.&nbsp; These spirits are quite friendly."

In 1913, the Apollo Theatre became the social and cultural center for the Martinsburg area. It was built by owner H.P. Thorn and designed by architect Reginald Geare, notable for designing the Knickerbocker Theatre in Washington DC. 

Apollo Civic Theatre

The building at 126 W. Martin St. Beth Jacob Synagogue was originally constructed in 1913. The building is a small two-story structure of light-colored brick with a most varied façade. The center of the building has three bays that breaks slightly from the wall to form a pavilion supported by buttresses at its corners flanking the first-level entrance. The entrance and flanking bays are in gently pointed arch bays. Window sashes are 1/1. The entry door has two full pointed panels of glass and is beneath a transom of two pointed panes with center lozenge. A double brick course projects above the entrance stepped in the center. Second-level windows are flat-headed beneath a projecting lintel which drops, then continues as a string course, dropping on the pavilion below the outer bay line. Then climbs in stepped fashion to a pointed center section. Above the pavilion is a simple molded cornice supporting a parapet with corner pedestals. Sills, impost blocks, panels and plaques of a lighter material are used at several places. On the front top center of the building is a plaque with 1926.Before 1912, the Jewish Community met in homes but for the High Holy Days such as Rosh Hashna, and Yom Kippur, the community rented rooms in the Odd Fellows Hall which was located at Burke and Queen St. The community purchased the old Brethren Church at 128 Pennsylvania Avenue in 1913 where the Bash Yankev (House of Jacob in Yiddish) Synagogue was born. In the 1930s a religious school was formed. The school closed during World War II but reopened in 1949. In 1938 the congregation started using the anglicized version Beth Jacob instead of Bach Yonkev.Prior to 1952 the building at 126 West Martin Street was known as Kogelshatz &amp; Coffman Funeral Home and at one point was also known at “A. Kogelshatz’s &amp; Son Livery, Feed, Boarding Stable – Undertakers.” In 1952, the Beth Jacob Congregation purchased the building and remodeled it to serve as a synagogue and Jewish Community Center. During this time Beth Jacob Congregation moved from its Orthodox affiliation towards the Reform mode of worship and joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.The location of the synagogue on West Martin street was located to many of the Jewish owned businesses in downtown Martinsburg. The two story building is located one block from North Queen Street. The first floor of the building was the sanctuary and accommodated as many as 100 worshipers. The Synagogue’s seating was donated from the Warner Theater whose manager was part of the Jewish community. The second floor was used as a recreation room and center.By the 1990s only a few Jewish businesses remained in downtown Martinsburg and the synagogue had long fallen into disrepair. Services were only held one Friday night due to the shul only having ten members left. The building at 126 West Martin was sold in 2008 and The Beth Jacob Synagogue Congregation dissolved and its property distributed in 2009. Today the building is known as New Beginning Apostolic Church.

Originally constructed in 1913, this small two-story building located in Martinsburg, West Virginia has a unique architecture. This building was originally built and conducted business as the Kogelshatz & Coffman Funeral Home. In 1952 the Beth Jacob Congregation purchased the building to be used as the Beth Jacob Synagogue and Jewish Community Center. The building was sold in 2007 and the Beth Jacob Congregation dissolved in 2009. The building is now home to a non-denominational Christian church called New Beginning Apostolic Church.

Beth Jacob Synagogue 

By 1873, when the Great Panic brought about economic
despair the United States was still trying to heal from the Civil War. The
implementation of Congressional Reconstruction attempted to reunify the
country. However, tensions still existed, but a new horizon of difficulties
brewed in the labor industry. The Great Panic of 1873 was a global depression
that affected many nations. The United States felt the impact from the railroad
industry that bottomed out. Resulting from this B&amp;O CEO, John W. Garret
announced a wage reduction for all employees and officers employed by the
company. B&amp;O railroad employees in Martinsburg, West Virginia angered by
another pay cut went on strike. 

The train yards in Martinsburg were destroyed during
the Civil War and rebuilt from 1866 to 1872. Martinsburg sustained considerable
damage during the war but recovered through Reconstruction. The Baltimore &amp;
Ohio Company had finished the roundhouses one year before the Great Panic of
1873 trampled the country. The railroad workers in Martinsburg kicked off their
strike two days after the announcement of another pay cut. The disruption of train
departures led to the mayor sending local militias to aid the Martinsburg
Police. The militia and police did not dissuade the strikers from disrupting
train departures. Eventually, John W. Garret contacted the governor pleading
for federal troops to suppress the strike due to the police force and militia’s
refusal to open fire against the strikers. Strikers were supported by the
community and a July 24th article from the Martinsburg Statesmen reinforced the
community support of the strikers. 

The Martinsburg Statesmen article stresses the lack
of violence caused by the strike as was portrayed in the Baltimore Sun and
other newspapers from surrounding states. The article goes on to describe the
morale of the strikers while stating scandalous business practice from the
B&amp;O Railroad Company. The strike that started in Martinsburg escalated to
Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and California. Strikes in each of
these states witnessed diverse groups of people unified against the railroad
industry. Laborers, men, women, foreign, Black and white, rallied together
showing support for the strikes. The media’s reaction to the strikes according
to historian Troy Rondinone adopted a war-time style of reporting learned from
the Civil War. “During the Great Railroad Strike, newspapers emphasized several
things---the organization of the strikers, the extensive degree of disorder and
violence, and (often in editorial sections) the real potential for revolution
or social catastrophe.” (Rondinone 398).&nbsp;
The Railroad Strike of 1877 lasted for 45 days ending with lackluster
results. However, the conscious minds of Americans witnessed the birth of a
long struggle between labor and capital. 

&nbsp;

The Great Panic of 1873 set in motion unprecedented economic hardships in the United States. Railroads experienced some of the hardest economic hits after tremendous expansion. On July 11th, 1877 the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad company announced a ten cent wage reduction of all officers and employees. Animosity and tension grew quickly among B&O railroad workers in Martinsburg, WV. Three days later, on July 14th, 1877, B&O railroad employees kicked off the first national labor strike in United States history. Railroad workers in Martinsburg created a blockade allowing no train cars to leave the newly rebuilt roundhouses. The mayor of Martinsburg tried to quell the angry mob but had no success. John W. Garret, the CEO of B&O, contacted West Virginia’s governor for support of federal involvement. President Hayes authorized the use of federal troops to end the strike. The presence of federal troops did not dissuade the strikers. Though the strike by Martinsburg railroad workers was short lived their exploits acted as the first domino in a long chain of dissention. The first national labor strike spread from Martinsburg to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and St. Louis. 



Historical Marker: The Great Strike Begins 

Maria Isabella "Belle" Boyd was born into a family with wealth and strong ties to the South. Belle's entire family supported the Confederacy and her father served as a soldier in the Stonewall Brigade. In addition to her exploits, at least three other family members were arrested for their clandestine activities in support of the Confederacy. Boyd spent part of her childhood in this house, which was built in 1853. During the war, she supplied information to Stonewall Jackson about enemy activities and was imprisoned twice before being banished to England. One of her most notable accomplishments as a spy came in May of 1862, when Boyd managed to obtain information crucial to the Confederate cause and gave her side the details needed to help Stonewall Jackson's forces recapture the town of Front Royal. Two months later, Boyd was once again arrested for her work for Confederacy. After this arrest, Boyd was sent to Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C., where she spent a month behind bars. After her release, she refused to stop her work. She set sail for England in May 1864 to transport Confederate papers. Boyd's ship was stopped by a Union naval ship and she was again arrested on accounts of being a spy. Boyd fell in love with one of her captors, a Union officer named Samuel Hardinge. In a memoir she had written, she explained that she might be able to "woo" him to the Confederate side. Eventually, Hardinge did serve time in prison for giving aid to Boyd. Throughout her time as a Confederate spy, Belle Boyd was given many nicknames by the Union. Some of these nicknames included: "the Rebel Joan of Arc," "the Siren of the Shenandoah," "Amazon of Secessia," and "La Belle Rebelle."The Boyd home now houses the Berkeley County Historical Society Museum which offers many exhibits related to the Civil War in addition to the early years and development of Berkeley County after the war. In addition to exhibits, the home houses the Berkeley County Historical Society Archives Center, which has a wealth of photographs, family records, maps, books, microfiche, and more.

This house once belonged to the infamous Belle Boyd and now houses the Berkeley County Museum. The museum provides visitors with a place to attend meetings, seminars, and view historical artifacts of Martinsburg and Berkeley County. Belle Boyd was born in West Virginia in May 1844. Boyd became a Confederate spy before her 18th birthday and conveyed information and supplies to Southern military leaders. 

Belle Boyd House and the Berkeley County Museum

On May 24, 1861, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnson ordered Stonewall Jackson to destroy the rolling stock here. Beginning in June, and over the next the ten months, more than 400 railcars and 40 locomotives were taken, damaged, or destroyed. The Confederates also stripped the round-house complex of its stationary equipment, tools, and 40-foot turntable but did not destroy the buildings. A few of the locomotives were disassembled, and 40-horse teams dragged them up the turnpikes to Strasburg. Several were transported in pieces to Richmond, reassembled, and returned to use.In September-October 1862, after the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg), Maryland, Jackson’s retreating column occupied Martinsburg. The Confederates destroyed almost 38 miles of track and burned the round-house, shops, warehouses, ticket and telegraph offices, company hotel, and other facilities. The privately owned Berkeley Hotel was spared.The Railroad Raids of Martinsburg, WV 
 As a major depot along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the town of Martinsburg, Virginia (now West Virginia), enjoyed a thriving economy in the mid-1800s.&nbsp; For this same reason, the town of Martinsburg was a strategically desired location for both sides during the Civil War.&nbsp; The town changed hands between Confederate and Union forces thirty-seven times, during the course of the Civil War and was the site of two battles (First and Second Battle of Martinsburg).&nbsp; After the Union was defeated in the Second Battle of Bull Run on August 30, 1862, General Robert E. Lee turned his Confederate forces to the North.&nbsp; General Stonewall Jackson was ordered to drive the Union forces out of Martinsburg and then occupy Harper's Ferry.&nbsp; On the 11th of September, Jackson's men drove a force of roughly 2,500 Union troops, under the command of General Julius White, out of Martinsburg and back into Harper's Ferry.1 &nbsp;Between 15,000 and 20,000 Confederate soldiers converged in Martinsburg before Jackson and his men moved to capture Harper's Ferry and link up with General Lee's Army in Sharpsburg, MD. 
 From September 18th thru November 3rd, Martinsburg remained under Confederate control.&nbsp; Following the Battle of Antietam, the town of Martinsburg was converted into a major hospital center with hundreds of wounded, dying and sick soldiers being transported there for treatment.&nbsp; On October 19th and 20th, the Confederates resumed their efforts to destroy the property of the B&amp;O Railroad.&nbsp; The engine house, warehouse, machine shops, ticket office, dining hall, wash house, coal bins and water station were all set on fire and completely destroyed.&nbsp; "The rails were heated to a white glow in improvised furnaces of cross ties and Confederate workers bent them around trees or stationary objects to distort their shape".1 (p. 24)&nbsp; Once the destruction was complete, the Confederate forces began to withdraw towards Winchester.&nbsp; Union forces retook control of Martinsburg on November 6, 1862 and construction crews from the B&amp;O railroad began the enormous task of repairing the tracks and bridges.&nbsp; By December 25th, passenger and military trains were once again operational from Martinsburg to points west.&nbsp; Unfortunately for the residents of Martinsburg, their experiences with the Civil War were far from over.There are several other historical markers and related sites within walking distance of the Berkeley Hotel Marker.&nbsp; Other nearby markers include the Roundhouses and Shops, the Martinsburg Roundhouse, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Shop Complex, the Belle Boyd House, the Civil War Martinsburg, and the Railroad Strike of 1877 marker.&nbsp; The Berkeley County Historical Society is located in the Belle Boyd House at 126 East Race Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401.&nbsp; The Belle Boyd House is open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday thru Saturday.&nbsp; They are closed in observance of the following holidays; Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day thru New Years Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day.

Constructed in the early 1840s, the Berkeley Hotel welcomed guests to the city following the arrival of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1842. The building is one of only a few remaining commercial structures that predate the Civil War in Martinsburg. At the time of the war, Martinsburg was a strategic objective of both Union and Confederate forces owing to the importance of this railroad connection. The hotel was spared destruction and the B&O Railroad bought the building in 1866. The railroad expanded the building and used it as their passenger station as well as a restaurant, telegraph office, and hotel. In 1877, the trainmen and enginemen began a major labor strike at this location in protest of wage cuts. This local protest spread and was known as the “Great Strike of 1877” nationwide. Railroad and military officials used the hotel as their headquarters during the strike and used force to end the labor conflict. 

Berkeley Hotel Marker

&nbsp; &nbsp;The For the Kids, By George Children's Museum was established in 2013 by Jim Castleman, a Berkeley County trustee. The space was designed by local architects Grove and Dall 'Olio. The children's museum uses the more than 6,000 square feet at its disposal to educate visitors on over 300 years of local history. &nbsp; &nbsp;With popular and interactive exhibits on George Washington an the region's railway history, the museum aims to make learning about the history of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle fun. Through immersion&nbsp;galleries, the museum gives a glimpse of what life would be like in a Tuscarora Native American village, a 1700s log cabin, and an1800s general store.&nbsp; The museum's Pedestrian Bridge also offers views of local railways and Martinsburg itself.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The For the Kids, By George Children's Museum offers a hands-on experience to learn about local history. Through immersion galleries and interactive exhibits visitors can learn more about life in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle. 

For the Kids, By George Children's Museum 

At this time in history, the United States was in a Civil War. Some states wanted to remain part of the Union, while others wanted to rebel with the Confederates. The main focus of the war was state's rights, particularly those that involved slaves. The state of Virginia was torn in the war. The western part of Virginia wanted to remain with the Union, while the eastern side wanted to side with the Confederates. Thomas J. Jackson was born in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia) in 1824. He graduated from the United States Military Academy and then fought in the Mexican War from 1846-1848. After the war, he left the military and began teaching at the Virginia Military Institute. During the Civil War, after Virginia succeeded from the Union, Jackson joined the Confederate Army under General Robert E. Lee. The Battle of Falling Water's was Jackson's first engagement in the civil war. On July 2nd during the Battle of Falling Waters, the Union crossed the Potomac River from Maryland into Virginia. From there, General Robert Patterson instructed his troops to head south to Martinsburg. In response, Colonel Thomas Jackson sent his troops north to block the Union. While blocking, Jackson’s troops were to asses the Union’s numbers. Jackson had been directed by General Joseph E. Johnston, one of the highest ranking Confederates, to retreat if they were outnumbered. Although the troops reported to Colonel Jackson that they were outnumbered, he nevertheless fought. At some point during the fight, Jackson sat down to write a letter to General Johnston to inform him of the Union’s strength. He sat underneath a large white oak tree while the fight was still blazing on and began to write. Suddenly, the tree was struck by a shot and a large limb fell close to Colonel Jackson. Unhurt, he wiped the fallen debris from himself, and handed the letter to the letter carrier as if nothing had happened.

This marker, dedicated in 2008 by the Falling Waters Battlefield Association, tells of Stonewall Jackson and his involvement in the Battle of Falling Waters. Established in 1815, the small town of Falling Waters West Virginia was the site of two Civil War battles. The first battle was the Battle of Falling Waters (Hoke's Run), and the second was the Battle of Williamsport. The Battle of Falling Waters was in 1861. General Robert Patterson led the Union, while Colonel Thomas J. Jackson led the Confederates. Colonel Jackson would soon become called “Stonewall Jackson.”


The Battle of Falling Waters: Jackson's Coolness Under Fire

The Battle of Falling Waters (or Hoke's Run) was a small skirmish in the Civil War. During the Civil War, America was fighting over state's rights, specifically how that played into slavery. Virginia was highly affected by this. Part of Virginia, the western part, wanted to stay part of the Union. The eastern side of Virginia wanted to join the Confederacy. At the time this battle took place, Falling Waters was still part of Virginia. Kenton Harper was a Colonel for the Confederacy. He commanded the 5th Virginia Infantry composed of 380 men. Thomas J. Jackson (later known as "Stonewall" Jackson) placed Harper's Infantry by the Valley Turnpike in order to meet the Federals when they arrived. General Robert Patterson led the Union. Harper placed majority of his troops along Hammonds Mill Road. He put three companies farther up, at the Porterfield House. Those 380 Confederate soldiers slowed down the advancement of the Union. This bought those placed at the Porterfield House a little bit of time to prepare. Consequently, the Confederates were then in danger of being encircled by the Federals. Because of this risk, Jackson ordered Harper to have his unit withdraw. The battle then continued later at the Porterfield house. The 5th Virginia Infantry was made up of several militia units from the Shenandoah Valley. One of those units, Company K, was originally called the Continental Morgan Guards. This name came from the Revolutionary War General Daniel Morgan. Sometime years before the Civil War, the unit took on a uniform that resembled one of a Continental Soldier. These uniforms included "blue coats, ruffled shirts, and tri-corner hats." Although the rest of the Confederates wore gray, those of the Company K wore their blue uniforms in the Battle of Falling Waters. Soon after, the company changed its uniform in order to more easily be recognized as with the Confederacy.

This marker, dedicated in 2012, tells of the strategic move of Colonel Kenton Harper's Infantry in the Battle of Falling Waters. Falling Waters is a small town in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. It was established in 1815. With its placement between Martinsburg and Hagerstown, this a a very popular residence for people employed in Washington D.C. and Baltimore. Two Civil War battles were fought in Falling Waters: The Battle of Hoke's Run and The Battle of Williamsport. 

The Battle of Falling Waters: Harper's 5th Virginia Infantry

At this time, in 1861, the United States was in a Civil War. The states of this nation were disputing over state's rights in the country. A main point in this argument was the expansion of slavery. Virginia at this time was especially torn during this war. The western part wanted to side with the Union, while the eastern part wanted to be part of the Confederacy. The western half was undergoing seccession during this battle. William Nelson Pendleton was a 51 year old Episcopal priest from Lexington Virginia. He began in the military, then was a teacher, and then finally became a priest. Once the Civil War started, Pendleton was elected to command the 1st Rockbridge Artillery in the Confederate military. Pendleton still held his church positions throughout the war. The artillery was composed of college educated young men. The young men used four cannons that had came from the Virginia Military Institute. William Pendleton named the cannons "Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John." These were the names of the four Apostles in the Bible. They were also given this name because it was said that the machines "spoke a powerful language." William Pendleton placed one cannon, Luke, in the middle of the Valley Turnpike, now called US route 11, to support his General, Thomas J. Jackson. Pendleton did not fire until the Union calvarymen were close enough that they were a threat. Once they came close enough, he gave the order to fire. He supposedly said "Aim, low men! And may God have mercy on their souls!" Luke was the only cannon that shot. It shot eight times but then was withdrawn because the Union was too overpowering. After the war, two of the Apostles were taken back to VMI. They still stand there today. The cannons are located under the Stonewall Jackson statue. Two other cannons that were used during the war stand with the two Apostles. The extra two have taken on the other Apostle names.

This marker, dedicated by the Falling Waters Battlefield Association in 2012, tells of the 4 Apostle cannons used during the Battle of Falling Waters. Falling Waters is a small town that was established in 1815. It is in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Two Civil War battles were fought in this area: The battle of Hoke's Run and the Battle of Williamsport.

The Battle of Falling Waters: 4 Apostles of the 1st Rockbridge Artillery

In 1763, this house was built by David Crocket. David Crocket is the grandfather of wild west figure, Davy Crockett. Davy Crockett is said to be one of the "best-known folk heroes of America." He fought in the Texas Revolution and was part of the U.S. House of Representatives for Tennessee. He was known to oppose much of what Andrew Jackson, the president at the time, created. In his lifetime and continued into today, many songs and plays have been created about him. This battle took place on the farm of William Rush Porterfield. This was the first fighting engagement in the Shenandoah Valley. Porterfield was a Union supporter. Colonel Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson was leading the Confederates, while General Robert Patterson commanded the Union. As the battle began, the wife and children of William Porterfield fled to a nearby house of a friend. Just as the Union troops were arriving, the Confederate's Fifth Virginia Infantry occupied the Porterfield house and farm buildings. From there, the Confederate sharp shooters began to fire. The Federal artillery quickly returned the destruction. They burned the barn to the ground and impaired the house. Jackson's men withdrew, so the battle ended up lasting less than an hour. Once the Confederates withdrew, the Union troops created a makeshift hospital out of the house. The used this to tend to the wounded on both sides. The battle had unfortunately greatly damaged the Porterfield property. After the war, William Porterfield remained on his land. He then restored his property. Currently, the Crockett-Porterfield house is owned by a construction developer. As of right now, he intends to save the house. The Falling Waters Battlefield Association is trying to preserve the site.

The Falling Waters Battlefield Association dedicated this marker in 2012. This marker tells of the battle fought on the Porterfield Farm as part of the Battle of Falling Waters. Falling Waters is a small town in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia that was established in 1815. Two battles during the Civil War were fought in Falling Waters: The Battle of Hoke's Run and The Battle of Williamsport.

The Battle of Falling Waters: Crockett-Porterfield House

The Battle of Falling Waters (Hoke's Run) was a small skirmish during the Civil War. America was at war at this time over states rights, more specifically the slavery aspect of that. Virginia's loyality during this time was torn. The western part wanted to stay with the Union, while the eastern part was more for the Confederacy. At the time of this battle, Falling Waters was still considered part of Virginia. This marker is located on a piece of triangle land on the side of Hammonds Mill Road. Along with the marker, is a split rail fence, a Civil War Trail Sign, and a yellow "Stumpy's Hollow sign." Stumpy's Hollow is the name for this triangular piece of land. This land has been known as "Stumpy's Hollow" since Civil War era, but the origin of the name is unknown. The split rail fence is a replica of the kind of the fence that was there during the Civil War. The fence replica was constructed by the Falling Waters Battlefield Association in 2010. Robert Patterson was a General for the Union. On July 2nd, 1861, General Patterson had his army marching towards Martinsburg, with Company I ahead of them acting as skirmishers. The troops then reached a fork in the road at Stumpy's Hollow. The Union caption was uncertain of which way to go, so he put a lieutenant, John B. Huchinson, in charge. The captain then went to explore their options. The rest of the troops were told to rest while he did so. The soldiers complied and rested by a split rail fence. While they were resting, and officer dressed in blue (Union color) rode up to the fence from the nearby field. Unknowingly to the soldiers, this officer was Confederate Lieutenant Colonel J.E.B. Stuart. He had worn his U.S. Army Uniform, just like many other Confederates. He instructed the soldiers to take apart a section of the fence in order for him to pass. After the soldiers were done, the Stuart pulled out his pistols and supposedly said "Surrender or you are dead men!" The rest of Stuarts regiment, 1st Virginia Calvary, shortly arrived at Stumpy's Hollow. Three Federals were killed and the forty three others there were captured by Stuart and his men.

This marker was dedicated by the Falling Waters Battlefield Association in 2008. This markers tells of J.E.B. Stuart's ploy against the Federals. Falling Waters is a small town in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia that was established in 1815. With Falling Waters' location being between Martinsburg and Hagerstown, this area is a popular residence for those employed in Washington D.C. or Baltimore. Two Civil War battles were fought in this area: the Battle of Hoke's Run and the Battle fo Williamsport. 

The Battle of Falling Waters: Stuart's Surprise

At this time in history, America was in a civil war. The individual states of the United States could not agree on state rights, specifically the ownership of slaves. Particularly, the state of Virginia was greatly affected. Part of the state wanted to be loyal to the Union side of the war, and the other part's loyalty lied with the Confederates. The Battle of Hoke's Run was the first Civil War engagement in the Shenandoah Valley. The Battle of Hoke’s Run was fought on July 2nd, 1861. Another name for this battle is “The Battle of Falling Waters.” This battle was part of the Manassas campaign as one of the battles of the American Civil War. The Union was led by General Robert Patterson, and the Confederates were led by Colonel Thomas J. Jackson. On the morning of July 2nd, the Union crossed the Potomac River from Maryland to Virginia using the Valley Turnpike. The Falling Waters waterfall feeds into the Potomac River, and above the waterfall is a stream. The Valley Turnpike crosses the stream at the top of the waterfall. Since this waterfall was the last body of water seen by the Union before the fight half a mile south on the Porterfield Farm, they named the battle after it. The Union has a reputation to name their battles after natural landmarks. After naming their upcoming battle, they were on to take on the Confederates.

Dedicated in 2008, this marker talks about the Battle of Falling Waters and how a waterfall impacted it. Right on the edge of the Eastern Panhandle border of West Virginia lies a small town that houses historic and residential homes. Falling Waters was established in 1815. With its location lying between Martinsburg and Hagerstown, Falling Waters has become a residence for many people employed in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Two Civil War battles were fought in Falling Waters: The Battle of Hoke’s Run and The Battle of Williamsport.

The Battle of Hoke's Run: A Splendid Falls

Maidstone-on-the-Potomac has a long and important heritage to Berkeley County for its Ferry transportation of people and goods as well as being critical to settlement along the Potomac River. In the 1740's this site began as a simple log house and grew. Evan Watkins established the ferry crossing the Potomac River in 1741 authorized by the Virginia House of Bugesses. The price was three pence for a man. A marker commemorates the ferry and site. &nbsp;&nbsp;In 1751 Robert Stockton purchased 300 acres at Maidstone; Stockton's grandson, John Fleming, leased the 29 acres&nbsp;which had grown to be a&nbsp;lucrative ferry and included the stone house which is still standing. Fleming helped in the operation of the ferry as well as the running of the farm. When the French and Indian War began, the exposed Frederick county frontier was prone to Native American attacks. In 1756 George Stockton and his sister Isabella were taken by Natives. Isabella was ransomed and returned home. George enjoyed living with the Natives and remained with them throughout the war until returning home years later. John Fleming Sr. died in 1767 and left the property to his son John Fleming II; the house operated as a dwelling as well as a tavern until it was sold in 1773.&nbsp; &nbsp; George Washington crossed the Potomac at Watkin's Ferry on two occasions and served crucial to the Frencj and Indian War. Washington's first crossing was in 1753 travelong to Fort LeBoeuf; the second was to travel to Fort Necessity to join troops at the first battle of the French and Indian War. By 1795 Evan Watkins Jr. sold the house and ferry to Peter Light, during his ownership, in 1845, the house was increased in size and mamed Light's Ferry where it remained in his family until the 1850s. The property again changed ownership in 1854 to Robert Lemen. &nbsp; &nbsp;Robert Lemen developed an innovative cable mechanism that pulled the ferry across the river which guaranteed safer and consistent crossings. The Civil War changed the history and importance of Maidstone while the Confederate Army containing 400 cavalry camped on the property. The army seized the Ferry yet, Union General Abner Doubleday crossed from Maryland into Viginia marking one of the earliest incursions of Union soldier in Virginia. This would not be the last time General Doubleday would use the ferry and river; on June 7, 1863, he pursued General Robert E. Lee across as he fled. Maidstone was the passage for 70,000 Confederate soldiers.&nbsp; &nbsp; The Watkins-Light-Lemen ferry at Maidstone sadly was put out of commission by the construction of the first Potomac River bridge. This site remains a testament to the the once innovative and economically crucial ferry system of Berkeley County. The home is still standing yet is in a dilapidated and abandoned state. The commemorative marker will keep the memory and information regarding the ferry alive; however, hopefully this historic home will be remaired to its formal glory.

Maidstone on the Potomac is a historical home near Falling Waters, WV that was connected to the operation of the Watkins-Light-Lemen ferry. This property operated as a home for ferrymen since it was originally commissioned by the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1744. As the ferry business became more lucrative, the original log home was replaced in 1762 by the current brick/stone structure. The ferry and home passed ownership several times over the century and experienced many important passages. 

George Washington crossed here in 1754 to fight at the opening battle of the French and Indian War. During the Civil War, this area would see passage by both Federal and Confederate troops. At the outset of hostilities, Confederate soldiers were brought up to seize the ferry, while camping on the grounds and in the home. Union General Abner Doubleday crossed here in 1861, marking one of the first incursions of Federal forces into Virginia. The Confederate retreat from Gettysburg saw 70,000 Confederate troops pass through and make temporary camp at Maidstone on July 7, 1863.

The ferry operated until the construction of the Potomac River bridge in 1895. Sadly, the home is now abandoned and sits in extreme disrepair following a suspicious fire in 2009. The Watkins-Light-Lemen ferry and the Maidstone home played an important role in the transportation of goods, people, and soldiers over two centuries. Maidstone is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is hoped that one day the house can be restored to its former glory.

Maidstone-On-The-Potomac

Anna Brugh Singer and William H. singer founded the Washington County Museum of Fine arts because of Anna's desire to give her hometown of Hagerstown a proper cultural institution. The plans for such a place began in 1928 when Anna first proposed the idea to a group of guest at one of her own dinner parties. The group was driven to see that the initial proposal was realized. Therefor, the newly formed committee began to make concrete plans for the building, funding, and maintenance of a museum. The building was designed and constructed in Hagerstown in 1930. Washington County Museum of Fine Arts officially opened to the public in 1931. Since its founding almost a century ago, the museum has acquired a collection of over 7,000 pieces that are displayed through changing exhibitions. Some of these include: the Cumberland Valley Photographic Salon, the Cumberland Valley Artists Exhibition (both of which are showcased annually), The Quickening Image: Wax-Resist Drawings of David Dodge Lewis and Ephraim Rubenstein, and a great deal more. The museum offers programs such as lectures, concerts, film, and art instruction, that allow visitors to gain knowledge and understanding of different art forms.The museum is often described as a “hidden
gem" (Smithsonian Magazine). Over the years the museum has also expanded
from its&nbsp;original architecture therefor created more space for further exhibits.
For the majority of the relationship shared between Anna and William Singer
they left the area of Hagerstown when they got together to travel to
"Europe pursuing their interests in painting and collecting art work to
enhance their homes in the Netherlands and Norway" (Meg
Dameron). As a child Anna had no access to be exposed to art forms of any kind
so for herself she thought she would give back to the community she was raised
in, by allowing them to have a place to go to when they wanted to educate
themselves through the influence of art.




















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The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts' mission is to offer education of the arts to the public, and support artists of the area. In efforts to realize their mission, the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts offers a number of educational programs that showcase their collections to the public, as well as offer cultural and hands-on opportunities. The museum gained accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums in 1976. 

Washington County Museum of Fine Arts 

Hager was born in Westphalia, Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1736, arriving first in Philadelphia then making his way to western Maryland. He built the house and married his wife, Elizabeth, in 1740. In the coming years, Hager acquired more tracts of land which garnered him a level of respect and authority in the area. He was appointed one of&nbsp;Maryland's eleven managers of George Washington's project to encourage the development of navigation on the Potomac River. He was also elected to the General Assembly in 1771. He died in 1774 in an accident at a German Reformed Church.

The two-story stone house was built by Jonathan Hager around 1740. Hager was a German immigrant and is known as the founder of what is known today as Hagerstown, Maryland. The most unique feature of the house is that it was built over a spring, which not only provided a secure source of water, it also protected it from Indians. Today, the house is owned by the city and operated as a local history museum. It contains exhibits about life in the colonial period and early republic, complete with authentic furnishings from the period. 

Discover US 11: The Warrior Path

Valley Art Association Mansion House - Heyser House

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Additional Information