CHARLES TOWN, WV - Many footsteps have walked throughout the Claymont Mansion property: From slaves to descendants of George Washington, to the Vietnamese Buddhist Monk, Thich Nhat Hanh.
"Bushrod Corbin Washington, who was a grand nephew of George Washington, he had inherited the land, he built the place in 1811. He already was apparently married and had a couple of children," says Betsy Shor, Chair of the Claymont Society.
It took ten years, but the Claymont Society just put 264 acres of the estate into permanent conservation.
"It's been a long process, but it's been wonderful. This house deserves all the restoration work that it can get, and we're all very happy that we got 264 acres that can't ever be developed and will be continual green space," says Amy Silver, Executive Director of the Claymont Society.
The estate received the Save America's Treasure Federal Grant, putting $300,000 into restoring the ballroom, veranda, painting portions of the roof, and replacing all 90 windows.
"The house was built mostly by slaves, some of whom were very skilled craftsmen, but then it burnt down in 1832," adds Shor.
Some of the ornate details are found carved into the wood throughout the home.
"The fireplace has dentil detail along the lines here, and swan neck-shaped wood on the tops," says Aubrey Clendenin, a volunteer docent.
Once housing over one hundred people, the Claymont mansion continues to transform and a place of wonder and retreat for all.
"Bushrod Corbin Washington, who was a grand nephew of George Washington, he had inherited the land, he built the place in 1811. He already was apparently married and had a couple of children," says Betsy Shor, Chair of the Claymont Society.
It took ten years, but the Claymont Society just put 264 acres of the estate into permanent conservation.
"It's been a long process, but it's been wonderful. This house deserves all the restoration work that it can get, and we're all very happy that we got 264 acres that can't ever be developed and will be continual green space," says Amy Silver, Executive Director of the Claymont Society.
The estate received the Save America's Treasure Federal Grant, putting $300,000 into restoring the ballroom, veranda, painting portions of the roof, and replacing all 90 windows.
"The house was built mostly by slaves, some of whom were very skilled craftsmen, but then it burnt down in 1832," adds Shor.
Some of the ornate details are found carved into the wood throughout the home.
"The fireplace has dentil detail along the lines here, and swan neck-shaped wood on the tops," says Aubrey Clendenin, a volunteer docent.
Once housing over one hundred people, the Claymont mansion continues to transform and a place of wonder and retreat for all.
