Photo by Tabitha Johnston A pond, on the grounds of Claymont, glimmers in the sun.

CHARLES TOWN — Local residents will soon get the opportunity to take a step back in history, during the Jefferson County’s Washington Homes Tour on Oct. 18.

The tour will feature four of the homes that were owned by George Washington’s family members in Jefferson County.

“Jefferson County is home to a number of homes built by the Washington family. George Washington surveyed the area as a young man, and encouraged his siblings and step-siblings to acquire land in the region,” said Friends of Happy Retreat board member Rebecca McIntosh. “The Jefferson County Museum and the Friends of Happy Retreat are partnering to present a rare opportunity to see inside the ground levels of four of the homes owned by his relatives: Beallair, Claymont, Happy Retreat and Harewood. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the histories of these homes, their occupants and their restorations.”

This will be the first year the tour will be held in some time, according to Jefferson County Museum director Lori Wysong.

“In the early 2010s, Jefferson County’s Washington Homes Tour was an annual tradition, drawing hundreds from the local area and the D.C. metropolitan region to the county, to experience our unique history,” she said. “This year, the tour is returning for the first time since before the pandemic.”

She noted that the homes are historic and, because of this, are not ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible. The stairs and uneven surfaces in the homes make it impossible for strollers and wheelchairs to be used within them.

While things are taking shape to bring this year’s tour to life, there are some areas where community support can still be used, including in the role of docent.

“We need docents for various rooms in each of the houses, as well as people to help with parking and check-in,” Wysong said.

She added that there is also room for more tour sponsorships to be purchased by local businesses and organizations.

“The tour will bring locals and out-of-town visitors alike to Jefferson County for the day, the weekend and beyond. Many will stay the weekend. They’ll be looking for places to eat, shop, relax and learn more about the area while they are here,” Wysong said. “This is a great opportunity to support your local history organizations, while reaching these audiences with your organization’s message.”

Those interested in attending the tour may purchase tickets online, at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2025-washington-homes-tour. The Jefferson County Museum may also be contacted at 304-725-8628. Tickets, which are nonrefundable, are free for those ages 12-and-under and $35 for those 13-and-up, though all attendees must register online at least a day in-advance. Children must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.

To volunteer as a docent and learn about volunteer perks, email director@jeffcomuseumwv.org.

To become a sponsor, visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2025-washington-homes-tour-sponsorship-opportunities.