Jefferson Co. Museum

We strive to foster an understanding and love of history, through the preservation & exhibition of objects relevant to Jefferson County, WV and our region.

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

**A notice that our social media accounts will be on hold for the foreseeable future. Please excuse our absence on your news feed, and check back later for more posts!

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

It is with bittersweet news that I announce my departure from JCM. For 5 years, I had the opportunity to learn about this historic county and meet the wonderful people in it. I'm honored to have been a small part of JCM’s history.

Sarah Huston, former Curator & Outreach Coord.

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

Today is #InternationalMuseumDay! What better way to spend it than by visiting the Jefferson County Museum! We’re open today until 4 pm.

Can't make it today? Don't worry! We're open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 am to 4 pm.

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

#OnThisDay in 1954, the US Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision ruled that the segregation of public schools based on race was unconstitutional.

Photo shows Eagle Avenue School, built in 1930 for African American students and destroyed by fire in 1966.

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

#OTD in 1942, Congress approved the creation of the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC).

This WAC songbook belonged to Madalean Lawson McIver during World War II. McIver was the only Jefferson County African-American woman to enlist in the war.

#localhistory #JeffersonCounty

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

Happy #InternationalNursesDay!

Photo shows three nurses standing in an operating room at the Charles Town Hospital, circa early 20th century.

#localhistory #JeffersonCounty

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

Harpers Ferry is no stranger to flooding! This photo shows a flood marker (as seen in the center of the photograph) in Lower Town.

Harpers Ferry’s all-time record flood level occurred in 1936. The rivers rose to a staggering 36 ½ feet.

#localhistory #JeffersonCounty

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

#OnThisDay in 1812, Martin R. Delany was born a free African American in Charles Town.

An influential abolitionist, journalist, physician, politician, and writer, Delany was the first Black field officer in the US Army.

Photo is copy of print in the National Portrait Gallery.

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

#OnThisDay in 1953, a 12-day strike at the Perfection Garment Company plants in Martinsburg and Ranson ended. 85 percent of the striking workers were women.

#localhistory #JeffersonCounty

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

Happy #NationalTeachersDay!

Cerelle Page Craven, Charles Town native, taught first-grade at Eagle Avenue School, an African American school, in Charles Town for over 41 years.

Photo shows Craven (back middle) with students from Eagle Avenue School, c. 1925. Courtesy of JCBHPS.

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

Usually celebrated on May 1st, May Day is a celebration of the spring season with dancing, singing, and other festivities.
This photo #fromourcollection shows a May Day celebration with the crowning of the May Queen, 1908.

#MayDay #localhistory #JeffersonCounty

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

For #InternationalDanceDay, let’s #flashback to a minuet dance at Charles Town High School, May 25, 1925.

A minuet dance is a French social dance, characterized as being slow and graceful, that was popular in the 17th century.

#localhistory #JeffersonCounty

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

#OnThisDay in 1791, telegraph inventor Samuel F. B. Morse was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts.

This semi-automatic morse telegraph sending key was used in Western Union’s Baltimore Relay office, circa 1912 to 1946.

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

#OnThisDay in 1943, a group of African American Jefferson County WWII draftees were ready to depart for Clarksburg at the pre-induction physicals. Several weeks later, those who passed the physicals were inducted into the Armed Services.

#localhistory #JeffersonCounty

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

Happy #EarthDay!

This scenic view of the Harpers Ferry Gap was taken circa 1970. St. Peter’s Catholic church can be seen in the foreground. White Horse Rapids and the Route 340 Potomac River Bridge can be seen in the distance.

#localhistory #JeffersonCounty

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

In honor of #VolunteerRecognitionDay, we would like to say a huge thank you to our volunteers at the Jefferson County Museum! We couldn’t do what we do without the time, energy, and passion of our outstanding volunteers!

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

#OnThisDay in 1861, US troops set fire to the US Armory at Harpers Ferry to prevent Confederate forces from capturing it.

#localhistory #JeffersonCounty

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

The Jefferson County Museum wishes you a happy #Easter!

This seasonal postcard is #fromourcollection, dated circa early 1900s.

#localhistory #JeffersonCounty

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

Born in Loudoun County, Adaline moved in the 1830s to Kabletown. She worked as an artist and taught art in Jefferson County; Fauquier County, Va.; and Mobile, Ala. She painted ivory miniatures and worked primarily in oils, pastels, and tempera.

[Jefferson Co. Museum @jeffcomuseumwv]

Happy #WorldArtDay! This pastel of Margaret Chew Osburn (1819-1903) was likely made by her sister, Adaline (Adeline) Osburn Palmer (1817-1906).

Adaline (Adeline) Osburn Palmer was among the first academically trained female artists from West Virginia.