Happy Retreat is well-known as the home of Charles Washington, the founder of Charles Town and youngest sibling of President George Washington. For those who have visited this stately mansion previously, a repeat visit is always in order, as the restoration, not only of the house itself, but of several historic out-buildings, is ongoing.
Today the mansion stands on two of the original 1,106 acres that Charles inherited from his family. He built the east and west wings of the house beginning in 1780, but the central portion was not added until 1837 under new ownership.
The massive front door welcomes visitors into a transverse foyer with a beautiful stairwell leading to the upper floors. The spacious twin parlors, with portraits of the Washington family, are the heart of the mansion. The identical fireplaces provide warmth when needed and four six-over-six-pane windows flood the parlor rooms with sunlight during daylight hours.
The mansion and outbuildings continue to undergo meticulous restoration to their original functions. The recently completed stand-alone stone and brick kitchen/smokehouse takes visitors back to 1840/50s time, when the slaves used it. The fenced kitchen garden grows medicinal, food and household herbs. Much attention is now being focused on restoring an octagonal wooden building. Its age is not known but it is the only building of its kind in Jefferson County. Happy Retreat holds the honor of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
