Annual Tradition

JCHS Picnics

Our most beloved tradition — summer gatherings at the historic homes of Jefferson County, where members share stories, food, and a love of local history.

51+

Historic Homes

55+

Years of Picnics

1970

First Picnic

Where It All Began

The Story of Our Picnics

Perhaps the most popular of the Society’s events is its annual picnic. From modest beginnings the picnic has grown to absorb fully 20% of the Society’s annual budget.

The first mention of a summer get together appeared in Volume XXXV of The Magazine when Dr. John A. Washington reported that “Shepherdstown was host to an unusual afternoon meeting on August 2 [1969] held at Shepherd College. After an informative welcoming address by President James A. Butcher, a walking tour was conducted by Dr. James Price.”

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The term “picnic” appears for the first time in 1970. The Society’s President, Dr. John A. Washington, reported that “the Society held a late summer picnic-meeting on Saturday, Sept. 12, at ‘Piedmont’, the home of Miss Louise C. Briscoe, a charter member.” Dr. Washington’s idea caught on, and most years since 1970 the Society has hosted a summer picnic at one of the many historic homes in Jefferson County.

For one reason or another, some houses have hosted more than one picnic. Two homes have hosted three picnics. Roger and Wanda Perry have hosted three at their home, The Hill. Beallair was the site of picnics in 1985, 1994, and 2010. Samuel Washington’s home Harewood and younger brother Charles’ home Happy Retreat both welcomed summer picnics on two occasions.

Initially, picnics were held in July. Eventually, August was chosen as the ideal month, and in the 1980s, the Society settled on the first Wednesday in August as the date for the annual picnic.

Complete Record

Picnic History

2022September 14th — Harewood, home of Walter Washington

2021Cancelled — COVID Pandemic (members received printed cards of 10 historic scenes)

2020Cancelled — COVID Pandemic (originally scheduled for Harewood)

2019August 7th — Happy Retreat, owned by the Friends of Happy Retreat

2018Fruit Hill, home of Archibald Robinson and Connie Hoxton III

2017August 2nd — Popodicon, traditional home of the President of Shepherd University

2012August 1st — The Hill, home of Roger Johns and Wanda P. Perry

2007August 1st — Happy Retreat, home of William Gilfillan and Mary Bliss Gavin

2000August 2nd — Morgan’s Grove Park

1997August 6th — Elmwood, home of Oscar Cebren and Janet Brown Stine

1993August 4th — Claymont Court, owned by the Claymont Society

1989August 2nd — The Hill, home of Roger Johns and Wanda P. Perry

1985August 7th — Beallair, home of Donley Clayton and Mary Jo Kederis Williams Kennard

1983August 3rd — Arcadia, home of Millard Kessler and Dean McKoin Bushong

1981August 19th — The Hill, home of Roger Johns and Wanda P. Perry

1979August 9th — Priest Field Pastoral Center

1978Home of Louise Leonard Nelson in Harpers Ferry

1977July 16th — Thomas Shepherd Mill owned by Ira and Anne Middlebrook Glackens

1975July 16th — Morgan’s Spring, owned by Mr. and Mrs. John R. Beasley

1974Belvedere, home of Adelia Willis Wilson

1971Traveller’s Rest at Harewood, home of Dr. and Mrs. John Augustine Washington

1970September 12th — Piedmont, home of Louise C. Briscoe

1969August 2nd — an afternoon tea at Popodicon, home of Shepherd College President Dr. and Mrs. James A. Butcher

Plus many more homes from 1980–2018 including Richwood Hall, Rion Hall, Windward, Walnut Hill, Ripon Lodge, Hazelfield, Altona, Leeland, Springdale, Bell Vue, Aspen Pool Farm, Tudor Hall, White House Farm, Millbrook, Mount Ellen, Allstadt House, Boidstone’s Place, Locust Grove, Gap View, Clay Hill, and Smithfield Farm.

Join us this summer

Attend the Annual Picnic

Members receive invitations to our beloved summer picnic, held each August at a historic Jefferson County home.

Become a Member