Harpers Ferry-Bolivar Historic Town Foundation

10/23/2026

Being good community members and playing along with this year's neighborhood Scarecrow Contest. What do you think?

10/22/2026

Thanks so much to Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation for the generous $1,000 door prize awarded to the Foundation! It will definitely help our efforts to transform First Zion Church into a Community & Performing Arts Center.

10/15/2026

Shine the Light at old First Zion Church! We're raising money to match a grant for electrifying and refurbishing this beautiful original kerosene lamp chandelier, so we can return it to its place of honor in the main meeting hall. Donors who give $300 or more will have their name listed on a plaque describing the chandelier's history.
Give today at https://historicharpersferry.org/get-involved/donate/ and note Shine the Light in the message box

Individual Donation Please help support our work! We are a small, community-based organization, presently with no paid staff and depending on volunteer efforts and donations. We are grateful for monetary ...

10/13/2026

First Zion is looking FINE on this crisp October afternoon. It's been transformed into a real gem of the Harpers Ferry Historic District.
If you would like to get in on the ground floor and help us with the next stage of renovations, just send a DM for more info.

08/15/2026

The First Zion float makes its annual appearance in the Jefferson County African American Culture & Heritage parade!

Jcaachf Inc.

08/10/2026

Mrs. Delores Foster can recall that as a child, she would help the church ladies at First Zion Baptist clean the kerosene lamps in the big, beautiful chandelier hanging in the middle of the sanctuary ceiling. The Foundation plans to electrify, regild, and totally restore this gorgeous piece of church history and return it to its rightful place in the rehabilitated meeting hall.
WILL YOU HELP? The Foundation has received a $9,000 grant from the Cynthia Woods-Mitchell fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The full cost is actually about twice that much. Donate at least $250 to the Shine the Light Campaign, and we'll make sure your name appears as a supporter on the plaque commemorating this historic fixture. Your gift will also be matched by an anonymous local supporter to help the fund grow faster.
GIVE ONLINE HERE: https://historicharpersferry.org/get-involved/donate/ or mail a check to PO Box 154, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425

07/24/2026

Kate has been a great friend to the Foundation, as the generous organizer of Harpers Ferry World Fiddle Day. She's also an awesome musician. Come out and support her Sunday if you can!

07/17/2026

Oh look! Here's the building that received our 2026 Historic Preservation Award!

Standing at the corner of Washington and Boundary Streets, the building at 970 Washington Street has served the Harpers Ferry community in remarkably different ways over the past century, reflecting the town's transformation from a close-knit residential community into one centered on heritage tourism and local commerce.

For many years, the building was best known as the Eackles Funeral Home, where generations of Jefferson County families gathered during times of loss. More than simply a business, it became a familiar landmark in the community, remembered not for commerce or entertainment but for its role in marking life's most significant moments for countless local families.

Following the relocation of funeral operations, the building entered a new chapter. It was adaptively reused as The Gilded Flea, an antiques and collectibles shop. This transition reflected a broader trend throughout Harpers Ferry during the late twentieth century, as historic buildings found new life serving residents and visitors drawn to the town's rich history.

Most recently, the property has continued its evolution by becoming the home of Appalachian Snail Market & Cafe. In its newest incarnation, the building has once again become a gathering place, this time centered on food, conversation, and community.

The evolution of 970 Washington Street illustrates the adaptability that has characterized Harpers Ferry for more than a century. As the town evolved from an industrial and railroad community into a nationally recognized historic destination, many of its historic buildings acquired new functions while retaining their architectural character and connection to the community.

07/15/2026

The Foundation has lost a dear friend and supporter.

The Foundation bids farewell to our steadfast friend and mentor, Betsy Bainbridge. After serving as the director of Harpers Ferry Main Street, Betsy seamlessly transitioned to board member for the ...

07/08/2026

Remembering the importance of Storer College to our communities...

“I think Storer College was a life changing institution for a lot of people at a time where there were a lot of barriers put in their way,” Pechekonis said. “I think it’s really incumbent on us to keep that memory alive and to keep looking at what it was they accomplished and never forget that.”
Thanks to Ainsley Hall at The Journal for her recent article on Storer College (link in comments)