Jefferson County Courthouse & Downtown Charles Town National Historic District Placed on Most Endangered Properties List

The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV), the state’s leading grassroots nonprofit group dedicated to protecting West Virginia’s irreplaceable historic places, regrettably has decided to place the Downtown Charles Town National Register Historic District in Jefferson County on its Most Endangered Historic Properties List.  

This decision is made after closely monitoring the Jefferson County Commission’s efforts to move county offices and courts to buildings it is in the process of purchasing on the American Public University System campus while openly disrespecting the concerns expressed by the City and the nonprofit Main Street group Charles Town Now (CTN) about the future redevelopment of the 10 historic buildings to be vacated downtown. Those buildings include the Jefferson County Courthouse, a National Historic Landmark, a designation that indicates its significant importance to the nation’s history.

Charles Town, without doubt one of the most historic towns in West Virginia, has invested smartly in economic development efforts that have strengthened the business environment of its historic buildings which in turn helps to protect those buildings and the historic character of the downtown for future generations.   The departure of county government from downtown without beginning aggressive planning and thoughtful coordination now between Jefferson County and Charles Town could have a devastating impact on the Downtown Charles Town National Register Historic District.   The creation and execution of redevelopment plans can take years to fully realize.  

The City and CTN have worked with a nationally qualified planning firm to create a proposed redevelopment study that they are committed to funding without County assistance.  This study will take up to six months to execute. In advance of the May 15 and June 5 Commission meetings, the City and Charles Town Now requested a formal place on the agenda to discuss this proposed study and how to move forward with the collaboration of the County. Unfortunately, the County disregarded their requests and instead announced a loosely defined community discussion on July 17.  

“PAWV has communicated to the Jefferson County Commission that it has an important stewardship responsibility in preserving the historic character of the Charles Town Downtown National Register Historic District and the economic success of downtown. The City and Charles Town Now are offering to create a partnership with the County to smartly plan for the redevelopment of historic buildings that the County will vacate.   PAWV wrote to the County Commissioners in early April to urge them to begin communications with the City and Charles Town Now.  Our staff and statewide Board are deeply distressed that the County has disregarded our request and the plans for collaboration on redevelopment plans offered by the City and Charles Town Now.   The future of the Charles Town Downtown National Register Historic District deserves much better and it is for that reason that we are placing the district on the West Virginia Most Endangered Historic Properties List.   Our hope is that this listing will resonate with the County and the residents of Jefferson County that collaboration and coordination are needed to ensure a smooth transition for the district,” commented PAWV Executive Director Danielle Parker.