BERKELEY
SPRINGS - Berkeley Springs celebrates its most unique historic site, George
Washington's Bathtub, with a weekend devoted to colonial food specials, dollar
sales and local history. From March
15-17, the spa town highlights the country's only outdoor monument to
presidential bathing.
According
to event organizer and historian, Jeanne Mozier, the mid-March weekend was
selected because it is the anniversary of Washington's first visit to the
springs when he was a 16-year-old surveyor's assistant.
"He
returned repeatedly, owned property in town and bathed in the springs," she
said. "Washington was probably one of the first people to use Lord Fairfax's
bathhouse built in 1768. He came
often during that decade."
Located
in Berkeley Springs State Park, the stone tub is one of the most popular sites
on the Washington Heritage Trail National Scenic Byway that traverses the three
counties of the Eastern Panhandle.
Other sites around Berkeley Springs directly connected to the first
president include his two lots a block from the park and springs and the
spectacular Panorama Overlook just three miles west of town.
"A
self-guided tour of the Trail takes visitors through the whole county. It's a scenic adventure with a historic
theme," Mozier said.
The
season's opening of the Museum of the Berkeley Springs is a main event of the
weekend highlighted by the traditional reading from Washington's papers.
In his
journals, Washington praised the food he found during his visits to the
springs. Several fine dining
restaurants recreate colonial favorites ranging from peanut soup to hoe
cakes. Local shops prove that
Washington's face still means something in Berkeley Springs with dollar-related
discounts and sales.
Nightlife
on Saturday includes Blues & Brews at Earth Dog Café while live music at
the Troubadour Lounge celebrates a little known meeting of George Washington
and Saint Patrick.
"One
thing Washington complained about when he visited Berkeley Springs was not
having a place to stay," Mozier said.
"Not true now."
Dozens
of lodging options range from Victorian B&Bs in town to rustic cabins and
fully equipped vacation homes along the rivers and ridges.
For all
the details of Washington Bathtub weekend specials check www.berkeleysprings.com,
call 800-447-8797 or check posters featuring George in a tub posted around
town. George Washington's Bathtub Celebration is produced by Travel Berkeley Springs.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WVNS. All Rights Reserved.
