Revisit the 66th Annual Tour (2024)
House #1
Happy Retreat
600 Mordington Avenue, Charles Town, WV 25414
Shown by the Dolley Madison Garden Club.
Happy Retreat is the historic home of Charles Washington, founder of Charles Town and youngest brother of President George Washington. Built beginning in 1780 on what were once 1,106 acres, Happy Retreat offers visitors a glimpse into 18th-century life through meticulous preservation and a fenced kitchen garden growing period herbs.
directions From House #1 to #2
Turn right out of drive onto Mordington Road. At Stop sign, turn right onto S. George Street. Follow .4 miles and turn left onto Jefferson Avenue. Proceed 1.1 miles to E. Washington Street and turn right. Continue for 3.5 miles to Shepherdstown Pike (WV 230-N) and turn left. Almost immediately turn left again to stay on WV 230. Stay on 230 N for 8 miles. Turn right onto Engle Mohlers Road and proceed 2.2 miles. The house will be on the right.
House #2
Linden Spring
4995 Engle-Molers Rd, Shepherdstown, WV 25443
Shown by the Shenandoah Garden Club.
Built in 1779 by Robert Lucas on land granted by Lord Fairfax, Linden Spring was nearly destroyed by fire two centuries later and stood derelict for 20 years until Bob and Martha Putz began a meticulous restoration in 1970. Today’s owners have transformed the extensive grounds into Westvirjeni LLC, a boutique floral shop where they grow flowers, host workshops, and celebrate the craftsmanship of this carefully restored gem.
directions From House #2 to #3
Turn left onto Engle Molers Road and travel 1.9 miles to Shepherdstown Pike (WV Rt. 230). Turn right and proceed .8 miles to Princess Street, turning right. Continue on Princess Street across German Street to East High Street. Turn right and proceed half a block. The mill is on the left. Watch for “Resident Only” parking.
House #3
Thomas Shepherd Grist Mill
207 East High Street, Shepherdstown, WV 25442
Shown by the Windflower Garden Club.
Built around 1738 by Shepherdstown founder Thomas Shepherd Sr., the Thomas Shepherd Grist Mill was the largest milling operation in the area and features one of the largest overshot water wheels in the U.S. The mill ceased operations in 1939 and wasn’t converted to living space until 1990.
directions From House #3 to #4
Return to German Street (WV-45) and turn right to the west. Proceed 4.3 miles to Files Cross Road (CR-45/2). Turn right and proceed 1.1 miles to Swan Pond Road. Turn left and drive .6 miles. The house is on the right.
House #4
The Welsh Farm
363 Swan Pond Road, Martinsburg, WV 25404
Shown by the Berk-Mar Garden Club.
Established in 1785 and in the Welsh family until 2015, the Welsh Farm blends historic preservation with modern expansion as the new owners carefully remodeled the original two-story red brick house while adding a substantial new wing. The property includes outbuildings such as a workshop, greenhouse, chicken coop, and pool house, all surrounded by extensive gardens that bring color from spring through fall.
directions From House #4 to #5
Return to Swan Pond Road and turn left. After .6 miles, turn right onto Files Cross Road. Proceed 1.1 miles to Shepherdstown Road (Rt. 45). Turn right and follow for 3.3 miles. At the light at Queen Street, the road becomes Moler Road – stay on it. Follow 1.2 miles to traffic light at N. Raleigh Street and turn left. Proceed .8 miles to traffic light at W. Burke Street and turn right. The house is on the right toward the end of the block.
House #5
Pitzer/Poland House
526 W. Burke St, Martinsburg, WV 25401
Shown by the Dolley Madison Garden Club.
Built in 1896 on Martinsburg’s “Abell’s Extension,” the Pitzer/Poland house is a stately American Foursquare brick home. Originally built for prosecuting attorney Ulysses Pitzer, it was later owned by garment factory founder John R. Poland, who converted it to a four-unit apartment during WWII.
directions From House #5 to #6
Return to Raleigh Street and turn right or south. Proceed to King Street and turn right. Turn left onto Winchester Ave (US Rt. 11). Proceed to Apple Harvest Drive (WV 45) and turn right. Proceed 2.9 miles to Clyde Borum Road and turn left. There will be signs marking the driveway on the left.
House #6
Gable Five
1076 Clyde Borum Rd, Martinsburg, WV 25403
Shown by the Norborne Garden Club.
Built in 1856, the Elias Pitzer House is a Federal-style home meticulously renovated by its current owners since 2017. The property includes original stone walls, a tennis court, a patio with oak-beam pergola, and a stunning five-gable renovated barn now serving as a wedding venue with a grooms’ room and bridal suite featuring solid oak doors sourced from the property.
