The West Virginia Association of Museums’ annual meeting and conference will be held June 6-8, 2024, at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
This registration is for people NOT attending the conference who would like to join us for our tours on Thursday, June 6 and Sunday, June 9. You do not need to be registered for the conference or be members of WVAM to purchase tour tickets.
Pre-Conference Tours, Thursday, June 6
C&O Canal Tour
1:00-3:00pm, Cost: $30
Meet and depart at 11042 4 Locks Road, Clear Spring, MD 21722.
Learn more at https://www.canaltrust.org/
Step over the Potomac River into Maryland – specifically, 1830s to 1920s Maryland, when mule-drawn canal boats were the way to move coal and lumber quickly. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was the brainchild of George Washington, who envisioned an inland water trade route between the Appalachian Mountains and Chesapeake Bay. Today, the C&O Canal National Historical Park is the eleventh most-visited site within the National Park System, with more visitors annually than signature parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite, or the Grand Canyon. Join Aidan Barnes, Director of Programs at the C&O Canal Trust, the park’s official non-profit partner, on a guided walking tour of restored Lockhouse 49, the robust canal-era Four Locks area, Dam #5 and the impressive limestone cliffs of the Big Slackwater section of the park. Participants will come away with deeper insight into the area’s history and stunning natural features, including the lives of those who lived and worked along the canal.
Harpers Ferry Guided Tour
12:30-3:00pm, Cost: $35
Learn more at https://www.harpersferryhistory.org/certified-guide-tours
The standard tour is 2.5 hours in length and includes visits to significant historic locations that tell the story of geography and natural history, the John Brown Raid and Civil War, Meriwether Lewis at Harpers Ferry, Storer College, the Niagara Movement, transportation, waterpower and industry.
Your guide will meet you at the Park Visitor Center, located at 171 Shoreline Drive. They will direct you to several areas of interest of the park where you will exit the vehicle and walk. Your tour ends with a walk covering several blocks in the Lower Town. Once your Harpers Ferry Tour has concluded, you are free to explore on your own and visit the museums and Bookshop.
Jefferson County Bus Tour by Elite Excursions
12:00-3:00pm, Cost $30
Bus departs from Potomac Place on the campus of Shepherd University
Visit the circa 1734 Shepherd’s Mill where the owners will give you a short presentation on its history and start the wheel (weather and water levels permitting). Next stop will be the Jefferson County Museum in Charles Town and then a short walk to the downtown area where the Jefferson County Courthouse (recently added to the National Historic Registry) and other historical buildings are located. From there a driving tour of Charles Town will include Happy Retreat, Charles Washington’s Office, the graves of Charles and Mildred Washington, Zion Episcopal Church, site of John Brown’s hanging, and many beautiful and historic homes. This will be followed by a drive-by of Bellaire, one of the 6 Washington Family homes and the Allstadt House where John Brown held his hostages. Last stop will be at Harpers Ferry Brewing for a photo op. It looks up river to the town and confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers and is a truly iconic view of the town.
Post-Conference Tours, Sunday, June 9
Harpers Ferry Guided Tour [SOLD OUT]
9:00-11:30am, Cost: $35
Learn more at https://www.harpersferryhistory.org/certified-guide-tours
The standard tour is 2.5 hours in length and includes visits to significant historic locations that tell the story of geography and natural history, the John Brown Raid and Civil War, Meriwether Lewis at Harpers Ferry, Storer College, the Niagara Movement, transportation, waterpower and industry.
Your guide will meet you at the Park Visitor Center, located at 171 Shoreline Drive. They will direct you to several areas of interest of the park where you will exit the vehicle and walk. Your tour ends with a walk covering several blocks in the Lower Town. Once your Harpers Ferry Tour has concluded, you are free to explore on your own and visit the museums and Bookshop.
Antietam Battlefield Guided Tour, 2-hours [SOLD OUT]
9:00-11:00am, Cost $35
Learn more at https://antietamguides.com/tours-rates/
Highlight Tour (2 hours): This tour is designed for those with young children or people on a tight schedule, and will cover the Cornfield, Sunken Road, and Burnside Bridge overlook.
Antietam Battlefield Guided Tour, 3-hours [CANCELLED]
9:00am-12:00pm, Cost $45
Learn more at https://antietamguides.com/tours-rates/
Standard Tour (3 hours): This is our standard tour and includes an introduction to the Maryland Campaign at the Visitors Center as well as stops at the Cornfield, Sunken Road, and Burnside Bridge. It is designed for individuals or groups seeking general knowledge of the battle and the battlefield.