In 1734, Thomas Shepherd took up a tract of 222 acres. For a short time the settlement was called Pack Horse Ford or Swearingen's Ferry. In 1762, The VA Assembly named it Mecklenburg. In later 18th century it was changed to Shepherd's Town, as Thos. Shepherd was the sole trustee and was responsible for the government. It got today's name after the Civil War and there is a dispute whether S'town or Romney are the oldest cities in the state of West Virginia.
The Entler Hotel, 1786, now houses the Shepherdstown Museum and Visitors'Center. It had become a men's dorm for the College, then a buyer wanted to use the space for a parking lot!! Thank goodness there were protests!...
Some Museum items....
(you can double click to enlarge and read some of the text or signs)
Manual sewing machine and flat iron....
Crocheted flag made during WW II.....
The Railroad bridge we saw! Opened in 1879...
Some American Indian artifacts....
Snyder boat model built by a young man recovering from rheumatic fever....
Behind the Museum is the famous Rumsey Steamboat display....
The stern with information on the 1786 invention. Rumsey had lived in Harpers Ferry previously and built a house for George Washington who had formed the "Potomac Co." to improve navigation on upper Potomac. James Rumsey was chosen superintendant...
Steam engine parts...
Looking towards the bow....
Lovely building across the street that is now a restaurant....
Old Masonic Temple....
We were parked across the street, just a couple spots down from the famous Betty's Restaurant!
2 comments:
Beautiful artifacts and yes the buildings on the outside have some beautiful old trim work.
The cemetery you pass on the right going to the Clairon. Has back in 1800's relatives buried there. I don't think it is the house standing now. I think there was another there that burnt down. My grandfather was born in it his dad took care of the cemetery.
If sone dont' believe the above they can go the Shepherdstown Library.
Great tour Loretta!
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