Jefferson County Museum

09/01/2026

The Jefferson County Museum will be closed next Tuesday, September 8, in observance of Labor Day. We will remain open this Saturday, September 5.

08/26/2026

Get your tickets now for the “Guarding John Brown” exhibit opening at the Jefferson County Museum. Tickets can be reserved online using the QR Code (second slide) or the link below (also listed in our social media bios and on our website under “Exhibits”). Tickets can also be reserved in-person with Museum staff during open hours. We look forward to seeing you on September 25th!

Link to reserve tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/exhibit-opening-guarding-john-brown

08/20/2026

Save the date! We are pleased to announce that the next exhibit at the Jefferson County Museum will be “Guarding John Brown.” Get an exclusive after-hours look at this new exhibit and meet our new director on Friday, September 25th from 6-8pm. Event tickets will go on sale starting August 25th. More details coming soon!

06/16/2026

This weekend would be a great time to start this local tour of historic sites in Jefferson County.
Charles Town Now Harpers Ferry Park Association Blue Ridge Reporter

By visiting more than two dozen sites, you will experience a remarkable way to step back in time and explore the rich history of Jefferson County, West Virginia, as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration. From the streets of Charles Town to centuries-old churches, battlefields, and pre...

06/15/2026

In a place like Jefferson County, the American history that resulted in the Juneteenth holiday was a first-hand experience. From John Brown, to the Civil War to the effects of Brown vs. the Board of Education, there have been local impacts and effects to generations of local residents. Visit the Library and our Jefferson County Museum this week, except for Friday and Saturday, to learn more about the stories behind the holiday.

04/17/2026

In 1849, 80 would-be miners set off from what was then Charlestown, VA, to strike it rich in the California Gold Rush. They made the overland journey over the course of months, leaving in early spring and finally reaching their destination on September 1. Benjamin Hoffman, a member of the Charlestown Mining Co., kept a journal recording the journey, which is part of the Jefferson County Museum's permanent collection. He and his compatriots encountered many breathtaking landmarks and unforeseen difficulties on the journey west.

We've created this storymap to bring some of Hoffman's entries to life, and provide some insight on the history of the Charlestown Mining Co., which will also be available on our website. Thank you to the Hoffman family for bringing this remarkable journal home to the Jefferson County Museum!

A map featuring the journey of '49ers on their way from Jefferson County to California, based on the diary of Benjamin Hoffman.

04/14/2026

Thank you to Art Deco Dekor for helping us to carefully remove a giant map of fire hydrants in Charles Town c. 1894 from a heavy frame. Getting the map out allowed us to assess its condition and transport it more easily from one room to another.

01/27/2026

Happy snow day! If it feels like a lot this year, trust us, Jefferson County has had as much and more. Pictured here are:

-The aftermath of the 1947 blizzard, from left to right Dice & James Milton, Strother Stickel, and Paul Milton with dog, Bounce, near Summit Point Rd. (Milton-Gruber Family Collection)
-People congregating at Welsh's Grocery Store with a snow plow in Bakerton after a snowstorm, 1961. (Welsh Family Collection)
-A plow on Route 51, likely after the blizzard of 1966

Thank you to everyone who is working to plow the roads around Jefferson County this week!

01/20/2026

Todd Coyle was a beloved volunteer and supporter of the Museum. If we ever needed anything to make our exhibits or programs a success, he generously offered his assistance. This photo is from our Prohibition exhibit opening in 2023, when Todd shared his musical talent with our visitors by playing blues songs on his guitar. He has left a lasting impact on this community, and we certainly miss him. Rest in Peace, Todd.
https://www.eackles-spencerfuneralhome.com/guestbook/richard-coyle

01/12/2026

With the ongoing roadwork on Berryville Pike, we're looking back on some previous roadwork in the Rippon area. These photos, taken sometime between 1925 and 1935, show the work to remove a rise in the road at the intersection with Withers Larue Road and Rte 340. Know anything more about the timing of this historic road work? Feel free to leave a comment!