James G. Gibson: President
Jim Gibson, Vice President for numerous years, has been President since 2015, and has finally retired from his dental practice. Jim attended Jefferson County schools, graduated from Mercersburg Academy and the WVU School of Dentistry. His family has resided in Jefferson County since the mid-1700s and he is a 7th generation living on a family Farm, located in eastern Jefferson County. He and his family have put 7 residences on the National Register. Hobbies include travel, historic restoration, antique English cars, history and flying – preferring fixed wing and sunny days. Contact information: 201 Needwood Farm Lane, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 Phone: 304-725-2688.Email: needwood201@gmail.com
Susannah Buckles: Vice President
Barbara Gibson: Treasurer
Barbara Gibson has been treasurer since 2007. She managed her family’s dental practice for 45 years and brought her QuickBooks knowledge to the table when the Society needed a Treasurer. Barb grew up in Eastern Kentucky and Southern West Virginia, and graduated from Mount Hope High School. She received her undergraduate degree from WVU and a Masters in Strategic Leadership from MSU. She has been a soccer coach, Girl Scout leader, and Sunday school teacher. She was treasurer for her Horticulture group at Blandy Farm for 9 years. The Gibson’s have 3 children, all following in the footsteps of their dad. Contact information: 201 Needwood Farm Lane, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 Phone: 304-725-2688.Email: needwood201@gmail.com
Keith Alexander: Recording Secretary
Dr. Keith D. Alexander is Assistant Professor of History and the George Washington Institute of Living Ethics Scholar at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. After graduating from Penn State University in 1992, Alexander worked in Washington, DC as an environmental policy analyst before returning to graduate school. He received his MA in 1996 and his PhD in 2003 in history from the University of Maryland, studying and doing dissertation research in Germany in 1996-1997 and 2000-2001. He worked at the German Historical Institute as a Research Associate from 2003 to 2005. He teaches classes in architectural history, Modern German and Modern European history, oral history, and historic preservation. Contact information: Email: kalexand@shepherd.edu
James L Glymph: Membership Secretary and Magazine Editor
Jim Glymph has been associated with Jefferson County since 1964 and has lived here since 1994. He is an avid War Between the States student, relic hunter and collector. Jim is President of the Old Charles Town Library Board, co-founder of the Charles Town Library Civil War Roundtable, Past Commander of the Turner Ashby Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans, a member of Col James Wood II Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution and Henry Kyd Douglas Camp, Sons of the Confederacy. Born in Mississippi, raised in Virginia, he is an honorary native of Jefferson County. Contact Information: Phone: 304.725.3220 Email: glymphj@comcast.net
Betsy Wells: Corresponding Secretary
Betsy Wells grew up in McLean, Virginia. She has a degree in accounting from George Mason University and is a local Realtor. She is a direct descendant of John Augustine Washington (1736-1787) brother of George Washington. Bushrod Corbin Washington of Claymont was her great, great, great grandfather. She is the granddaughter of William Fontaine Alexander (1873-1941) who joined Washington, Alexander and Cook, general insurance after twelve years as County Clerk of Jefferson County. W.F. Alexander was a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates 1939-1941. Betsy is also descended from Baron Christopher de Graffenreid who along with Louis Michel petitioned the English Crown in 1709 for a land grant on the Shenandoah River for a Swiss colony. Since moving to Charles Town in 1996, Betsy has been involved in community activities. She has served on the Washington Heritage Trail Board of Trustees, the Charles Town Tree Board, the Old Opera House Board of Directors, and the Charles Town Historic Landmarks Commission. She started the Charles Town Christmas Parade of Horses in 1996 and chaired Christmas in Historic Charles Town in 1998. In 2001 Betsy was a member of the Bicentennial Committee of Jefferson County. Betsy enjoys renovating old houses, gardening, reading, bridge and theater. She is a member of the Friday Book Club. Contact information: Home phone: 304-725-6598 Cell phone: 304-676-9055 Email: betsy_wells522@comcast.net
Doug Perks: Curator
Doug Perks is a Jefferson County native, a graduate of Charles Town High School, received a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University, and a master’s degree from James Madison University. After 30 years of service he retired from Jefferson County Schools. He is currently the Historian of the Jefferson County Museum, co-founder of the Charles Town Library Civil War Roundtable, a Harpers Ferry Certified Park Guide, serves on the museum committee of the Historic Shepherdstown Commission, is Vice President of the Harpers Ferry Park Association, and Historian of the Elmwood Cemetery Association, Incorporated. Doug is a frequent lecturer on the History of Mr. Jefferson’s County, a contributing author to The Magazine of the Jefferson County Historical Society, writes the column "Mr. Jefferson's County" in the Jefferson County Historical Society’s newsletter The Guardian, and contributes the weekly column “History Matters” to the Spirit of Jefferson newspaper. Contact information: Email: perkssonny9@live.com
John D. Glymph: Webmaster
John Glymph is a teacher of Social Studies/U.S. History at Washington High School in Charles Town. He specializes in Contemporary Studies, the era of 1915 to present time in U.S. History. John has coordinated the Jefferson County Social Studies for students K-12 for 6 years running now. He has a special interest in technology and how it can be used to further education and enrichment in history, especially locally. John also actively participates in local community theater at the Charles Town Old Opera House as an actor, director, and technical assistant. Contact Information: john.glymph@yahoo.com and Facebook(as John Glymph)
Donna Northouse: Guardian Editor
Donna Northouse is a retired high school English/humanities teacher who now devotes her time to historic research and running, with her husband Cameron, their online rare book business, Clayton Fine Books. She lives in Shepherdstown, where she enjoys being a docent for the Historic Shepherdstown Museum. She has helped organize many workshops on local history open to teachers and the public in general. Donna is the membership director for the Friends of the Webb-Blessing House, an organization formed in the summer of 2016 in association with the Jefferson County Black History Preservation Society." Contact information: Email: dnorthouse@gmail.com
William M. Drennen, Jr.: Director
Bill Drennen served as Commissioner of Culture and History for the state of West Virginia under Governor Gaston Caperton from 1988-1996. He grew up in Charleston, (WV), studied at Episcopal High School in Alexandria and Yale University in New Haven, CN. He spent three years in the U.S. Navy, the last one in Vietnam. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his service, then he took off to see the world. After 2 yrs of travel, he returned home to Bethesda, MD, married a Greenwich Village girl, and had two sons in short order. In 1969 he started a documentary film company Communication Corps Inc, produced films for a while then decided to go back to Charleston so his kids could grow up in that wonderful environment. He started the West Virginia Youth Soccer League and served as president for four years, likewise he started the West Virginia International Film Festival and got it up and running for several years. That is when he was asked to take over the Division of Culture and History. He found time to return to School at West Virginia Graduate College while serving in State Government, and following his tenure, he turned to teaching History at West Virginia State College in Institute, WV. In 2000, he moved to Shepherdstown, where his family had started Cress Creek. He was recruited to serve as President of the JCHS, which he could not turn down…great way to meet people and learn the history of the area. Contact information: Email: wmdrennen1@me.com
Eric Jenkins: Director
Eric S. Hendricks Jenkins is a twelfth generation Jefferson County resident who developed his love of local and family history early on while listening to tales about his ancestors who had settled in the vicinity of Shepherdstown in the 1730’s. It is Eric’s goal to pass on his love and excitement for local history to his classroom students in hopes of developing in them a deeper appreciation for the place they call home. Eric has taught middle school history in Jefferson County for twelve years beginning in 2005, after graduating from Shepherd University with a degree in Social Studies Education, and completing course work in historic preservation/museum studies. Eric is currently serving in his second term as a member of the Jefferson County Historic Landmark Commission as well as acting as board historian for the Sons of the American Revolution General Adam Stephens’ Chapter. Eric also gives guided tours of the Historic Shepherdstown Museum and serves on the board of the Jefferson County Historical Society and Historic Elmwood Cemetery. Eric has worked to restore one of his family’s ancestral homes, Oak Tree Farm, which is located in Uvilla, West Virginia. Oak Tree Farm was recently listed as a Jefferson County historic landmark and it is here that Eric houses and displays his collection of Jefferson County artifacts which he actively collects. Contact information: Email: leetownjenkins@yahoo.com
Benjamin Bankhurst: Director
Dr. Bankhurst is a professor at Shepherd University. He specializes in the areas of Colonial and Revolutionary North America, Appalachian History and Culture, Atlantic History, Ireland and the Irish Diaspora. Dr. Bankhurst’s research focuses on migration to the Appalachian frontier in the colonial and revolutionary periods. Before Joining the History Department at Shepherd, Dr. Bankhurst held teaching and research appointments at the London School of Economics; the Institute of Historical Research; and Queen Mary, University of London. His articles have appeared in the Pennsylvania Magazine for History and Biography, The Journal of Irish and Scottish Studies, and Eire/Ireland. The American Council for Irish Studies awarded his first book Ulster Presbyterians and the Scots Irish Diaspora, 1750-1763 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013) the Donald Murphy Prize.
Contact Information: bbankhur@shepherd.edu
James L. Taylor: Director
James L. Taylor graduated from Page-Jackson High School with the class of 1951. He is a Korean War veteran (U.S. Navy). He graduated from Shepherd College with a B.A. and B.S. degree and from West Virginia University with a master’s degree. He was a teacher and coach at Page-Jackson High School for six years. He was also a teacher and coach at Jefferson High School, retiring in 1995, after 35 years in education.
He has authored two books on black history: Africans-in-American of the Lower Shenandoah Valley: 1700-1900 and A History of Black Education in Jefferson County, West Virginia, 1865-1966. He is president of the Jefferson County Black History Preservation Society and a director of the Jefferson County Historical Society. Contact information: Email: jlt34@aol.com
Donald E. Watts: Director
Emeritus Officers: Roger J. Perry, John E. Stealey III, and Hugh Voress
Jim Gibson, Vice President for numerous years, has been President since 2015, and has finally retired from his dental practice. Jim attended Jefferson County schools, graduated from Mercersburg Academy and the WVU School of Dentistry. His family has resided in Jefferson County since the mid-1700s and he is a 7th generation living on a family Farm, located in eastern Jefferson County. He and his family have put 7 residences on the National Register. Hobbies include travel, historic restoration, antique English cars, history and flying – preferring fixed wing and sunny days. Contact information: 201 Needwood Farm Lane, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 Phone: 304-725-2688.Email: needwood201@gmail.com
Susannah Buckles: Vice President
Barbara Gibson: Treasurer
Barbara Gibson has been treasurer since 2007. She managed her family’s dental practice for 45 years and brought her QuickBooks knowledge to the table when the Society needed a Treasurer. Barb grew up in Eastern Kentucky and Southern West Virginia, and graduated from Mount Hope High School. She received her undergraduate degree from WVU and a Masters in Strategic Leadership from MSU. She has been a soccer coach, Girl Scout leader, and Sunday school teacher. She was treasurer for her Horticulture group at Blandy Farm for 9 years. The Gibson’s have 3 children, all following in the footsteps of their dad. Contact information: 201 Needwood Farm Lane, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 Phone: 304-725-2688.Email: needwood201@gmail.com
Keith Alexander: Recording Secretary
Dr. Keith D. Alexander is Assistant Professor of History and the George Washington Institute of Living Ethics Scholar at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. After graduating from Penn State University in 1992, Alexander worked in Washington, DC as an environmental policy analyst before returning to graduate school. He received his MA in 1996 and his PhD in 2003 in history from the University of Maryland, studying and doing dissertation research in Germany in 1996-1997 and 2000-2001. He worked at the German Historical Institute as a Research Associate from 2003 to 2005. He teaches classes in architectural history, Modern German and Modern European history, oral history, and historic preservation. Contact information: Email: kalexand@shepherd.edu
James L Glymph: Membership Secretary and Magazine Editor
Jim Glymph has been associated with Jefferson County since 1964 and has lived here since 1994. He is an avid War Between the States student, relic hunter and collector. Jim is President of the Old Charles Town Library Board, co-founder of the Charles Town Library Civil War Roundtable, Past Commander of the Turner Ashby Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans, a member of Col James Wood II Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution and Henry Kyd Douglas Camp, Sons of the Confederacy. Born in Mississippi, raised in Virginia, he is an honorary native of Jefferson County. Contact Information: Phone: 304.725.3220 Email: glymphj@comcast.net
Betsy Wells: Corresponding Secretary
Betsy Wells grew up in McLean, Virginia. She has a degree in accounting from George Mason University and is a local Realtor. She is a direct descendant of John Augustine Washington (1736-1787) brother of George Washington. Bushrod Corbin Washington of Claymont was her great, great, great grandfather. She is the granddaughter of William Fontaine Alexander (1873-1941) who joined Washington, Alexander and Cook, general insurance after twelve years as County Clerk of Jefferson County. W.F. Alexander was a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates 1939-1941. Betsy is also descended from Baron Christopher de Graffenreid who along with Louis Michel petitioned the English Crown in 1709 for a land grant on the Shenandoah River for a Swiss colony. Since moving to Charles Town in 1996, Betsy has been involved in community activities. She has served on the Washington Heritage Trail Board of Trustees, the Charles Town Tree Board, the Old Opera House Board of Directors, and the Charles Town Historic Landmarks Commission. She started the Charles Town Christmas Parade of Horses in 1996 and chaired Christmas in Historic Charles Town in 1998. In 2001 Betsy was a member of the Bicentennial Committee of Jefferson County. Betsy enjoys renovating old houses, gardening, reading, bridge and theater. She is a member of the Friday Book Club. Contact information: Home phone: 304-725-6598 Cell phone: 304-676-9055 Email: betsy_wells522@comcast.net
Doug Perks: Curator
Doug Perks is a Jefferson County native, a graduate of Charles Town High School, received a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University, and a master’s degree from James Madison University. After 30 years of service he retired from Jefferson County Schools. He is currently the Historian of the Jefferson County Museum, co-founder of the Charles Town Library Civil War Roundtable, a Harpers Ferry Certified Park Guide, serves on the museum committee of the Historic Shepherdstown Commission, is Vice President of the Harpers Ferry Park Association, and Historian of the Elmwood Cemetery Association, Incorporated. Doug is a frequent lecturer on the History of Mr. Jefferson’s County, a contributing author to The Magazine of the Jefferson County Historical Society, writes the column "Mr. Jefferson's County" in the Jefferson County Historical Society’s newsletter The Guardian, and contributes the weekly column “History Matters” to the Spirit of Jefferson newspaper. Contact information: Email: perkssonny9@live.com
John D. Glymph: Webmaster
John Glymph is a teacher of Social Studies/U.S. History at Washington High School in Charles Town. He specializes in Contemporary Studies, the era of 1915 to present time in U.S. History. John has coordinated the Jefferson County Social Studies for students K-12 for 6 years running now. He has a special interest in technology and how it can be used to further education and enrichment in history, especially locally. John also actively participates in local community theater at the Charles Town Old Opera House as an actor, director, and technical assistant. Contact Information: john.glymph@yahoo.com and Facebook(as John Glymph)
Donna Northouse: Guardian Editor
Donna Northouse is a retired high school English/humanities teacher who now devotes her time to historic research and running, with her husband Cameron, their online rare book business, Clayton Fine Books. She lives in Shepherdstown, where she enjoys being a docent for the Historic Shepherdstown Museum. She has helped organize many workshops on local history open to teachers and the public in general. Donna is the membership director for the Friends of the Webb-Blessing House, an organization formed in the summer of 2016 in association with the Jefferson County Black History Preservation Society." Contact information: Email: dnorthouse@gmail.com
William M. Drennen, Jr.: Director
Bill Drennen served as Commissioner of Culture and History for the state of West Virginia under Governor Gaston Caperton from 1988-1996. He grew up in Charleston, (WV), studied at Episcopal High School in Alexandria and Yale University in New Haven, CN. He spent three years in the U.S. Navy, the last one in Vietnam. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his service, then he took off to see the world. After 2 yrs of travel, he returned home to Bethesda, MD, married a Greenwich Village girl, and had two sons in short order. In 1969 he started a documentary film company Communication Corps Inc, produced films for a while then decided to go back to Charleston so his kids could grow up in that wonderful environment. He started the West Virginia Youth Soccer League and served as president for four years, likewise he started the West Virginia International Film Festival and got it up and running for several years. That is when he was asked to take over the Division of Culture and History. He found time to return to School at West Virginia Graduate College while serving in State Government, and following his tenure, he turned to teaching History at West Virginia State College in Institute, WV. In 2000, he moved to Shepherdstown, where his family had started Cress Creek. He was recruited to serve as President of the JCHS, which he could not turn down…great way to meet people and learn the history of the area. Contact information: Email: wmdrennen1@me.com
Eric Jenkins: Director
Eric S. Hendricks Jenkins is a twelfth generation Jefferson County resident who developed his love of local and family history early on while listening to tales about his ancestors who had settled in the vicinity of Shepherdstown in the 1730’s. It is Eric’s goal to pass on his love and excitement for local history to his classroom students in hopes of developing in them a deeper appreciation for the place they call home. Eric has taught middle school history in Jefferson County for twelve years beginning in 2005, after graduating from Shepherd University with a degree in Social Studies Education, and completing course work in historic preservation/museum studies. Eric is currently serving in his second term as a member of the Jefferson County Historic Landmark Commission as well as acting as board historian for the Sons of the American Revolution General Adam Stephens’ Chapter. Eric also gives guided tours of the Historic Shepherdstown Museum and serves on the board of the Jefferson County Historical Society and Historic Elmwood Cemetery. Eric has worked to restore one of his family’s ancestral homes, Oak Tree Farm, which is located in Uvilla, West Virginia. Oak Tree Farm was recently listed as a Jefferson County historic landmark and it is here that Eric houses and displays his collection of Jefferson County artifacts which he actively collects. Contact information: Email: leetownjenkins@yahoo.com
Benjamin Bankhurst: Director
Dr. Bankhurst is a professor at Shepherd University. He specializes in the areas of Colonial and Revolutionary North America, Appalachian History and Culture, Atlantic History, Ireland and the Irish Diaspora. Dr. Bankhurst’s research focuses on migration to the Appalachian frontier in the colonial and revolutionary periods. Before Joining the History Department at Shepherd, Dr. Bankhurst held teaching and research appointments at the London School of Economics; the Institute of Historical Research; and Queen Mary, University of London. His articles have appeared in the Pennsylvania Magazine for History and Biography, The Journal of Irish and Scottish Studies, and Eire/Ireland. The American Council for Irish Studies awarded his first book Ulster Presbyterians and the Scots Irish Diaspora, 1750-1763 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013) the Donald Murphy Prize.
Contact Information: bbankhur@shepherd.edu
James L. Taylor: Director
James L. Taylor graduated from Page-Jackson High School with the class of 1951. He is a Korean War veteran (U.S. Navy). He graduated from Shepherd College with a B.A. and B.S. degree and from West Virginia University with a master’s degree. He was a teacher and coach at Page-Jackson High School for six years. He was also a teacher and coach at Jefferson High School, retiring in 1995, after 35 years in education.
He has authored two books on black history: Africans-in-American of the Lower Shenandoah Valley: 1700-1900 and A History of Black Education in Jefferson County, West Virginia, 1865-1966. He is president of the Jefferson County Black History Preservation Society and a director of the Jefferson County Historical Society. Contact information: Email: jlt34@aol.com
Donald E. Watts: Director
Emeritus Officers: Roger J. Perry, John E. Stealey III, and Hugh Voress