CLAYMONT COURT AT THE CONFERENCE

I am really excited about having some of the conference events at Claymont Court, which was constructed in 1840 in the Georgian style for Bushrod Corbin Washington, a grand-nephew of George Washington.  I had the pleasure of staying there last fall while scouting conference locations and enjoyed my over-night stay in the mansion.  No ghost encounters for me, fortunately, and when I walked the grounds alone one evening, I felt an overwhelming sense of calm from the site.  The historic mansion and grounds are beautifully-preserved, and it’s a very peaceful environment – a great place for learning!  From my short stay, I can see why John G. Bennett chose this as the location for his nine-month Fourth Way school back in 1974.  Not only is the mansion fabulous, but its location is very quiet, as it is tucked among rolling hills about 4 miles outside of Charles Town.
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Conference participants are going to learn so much during their time at Claymont Court, and I think it will be relaxing, as well.  While at Claymont, you can wander the grounds, visit the new Native American museum, or venture to the grand barn.  It is a place for introspection and self-development, as intended by Mr. Bennett, but it is also the perfect setting for spending time with like-minded folks.  When you aren’t engulfed in one of the educational sessions, you will have time to share stories with others and learn from sharing these experiences.  I hope many people will take advantage of this opportunity and join me in enhancing the historic preservation ethos throughout the mountain state.

By Danielle

Claymont Court is one of the main venues for Preservation Alliance of WV’s 2012 historic preservation conference, Sharing Stories, Learning Lessons: Truth & Triumph in Historic Preservation, September 27-29.
Not only will we be having an historic masonry how-to workshop with National Park Service Exhibits Specialist, Moss Rudley, at Claymont Court, but we will also be hosting educational break-out sessions and a luncheon on Saturday in the historic ballroom!  The Claymont will additionally be featured during the Washington Family Homes Tour with tour-guide, John Allen, Jr., the premier historian of Jefferson County’s historic architecture.  He is the author of Uncommon Vernacular: The Early House of Jefferson County, West Virginia, 1735-1835.