Best Civil War Story March 26-28 Shepherdstown WV by Jim Surkamp
You’re invited to the extraordinary “The Best Civil War Story,” a premiere, three-night Music and Script Reading taken from diaries and letters of five families in Jefferson County. Each evening is a true story unto itself and is family-friendly and educational.
WHERE: Black Box Arts Center, 213 S. Princess Street, Shepherdstown
WHEN: March 26 (Thursday); March 27 (Friday); March 28 (Saturday)
TIME: 7:15 Doors open with reception each night; Performance, about ninety minutes begins at 8 PM
ADMISSION: $5/per night
Brought to you by the Black Box Theater and the Shepherdstown Visitors Center.
Music: Terry Tucker on piano and singing (Music includes, “When Swallows Homeward Fly,” Stephen Foster’s “Hard Times,” Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya, “Rally ‘Round the Flag,” “The Parting Friend,” “The Wayfaring Stranger,” “Money Musk,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “Steal Away,” “Thy Will Be Done,” “Twenty Years Ago” and many more. These are all period pieces.
Narrator: Jim Surkamp
ARDYTH GILBERTSON: Netta Lee, Henrietta Bedinger Lee, Tippie Boteler, Danske Dandridge, Mary Bedinger Mitchell, and Serena Dandridge;
HOMER SPEAKER: Henry Kyd Douglas, William Blackford, Ted Hughes, Edwin Gray Lee and others;
JIM SURKAMP: William Morgan, David Hunter Strother, Henry Bedinger, Heros Von Borcke
A celebration of Life in Jefferson County
Tickets at the door beginning at 7:15. Reservations can be made for parties of four or less by calling the Shepherdstown Visitor’s Center at 304 876 2786
More of the story itself at Go to civilwarscholars.com for 700K of footnoted content and 12K images to accompany these videos made possible with the support of American Public University System more at Go to civilwarscholars.com for 700K of footnoted content and 12K images to accompany these videos made possible with the support of American Public University System more at
Welcome to Buckhannon
Learn about some of the highlights of Buckhannon, WV.
Shepherdstown Elementary Parking Entrance
I made this movie to help Shepherdstown Elementary School get funds to fix the bottleneck in the parking lot.
Thy Will Be Done (Night 2) - Shepherdstown, Antietam & the Bower
copyright Jim Surkamp
Thy Will Be Done (Night 1) - A Chasm Beneath Our Feet
Thy Will Be Done (Night 2) - Shepherdstown, Antietam, and The Bower
Thy Will Be Done (Night 3) - The Homes in Ashes in the Shenandoah
By Jim Surkamp, Terry Tucker, Ardyth Gilbertson and Homer Speaker.
copyright jointly held by all the above persons with the exception of musical performances of Ms. Tucker and she is the owner of the arrangements and the performance. More at Go to civilwarscholars.com for 700K of footnoted content and 12K images to accompany these videos made possible with the support of American Public University System more at Go to civilwarscholars.com for 700K of footnoted content and 12K images to accompany these videos made possible with the support of American Public University System more at
Review of Bavarian Inn for FINE Magazine
The Bavarian Inn - FINE Magazine Review
In the peaks of the Appalachian mountains you find this amazing Bavarian Destination. The Bavarian Inn is a family owned resort that has so much to offer visitors. Elaborate dining, Infiniti Pool hanging off the mountain and plunging into the Potomac River. Rooms that overlook the waterfront and mountain valleys as well as a partnership with nearby fitness facility at Shepherdstown University and Golf at Private Cress Creek Golf Club. Come, stay and relax at Bavarian Inn.
Jefferson County, West Virginia - Unravel Travel TV
Jefferson County Convention & Visitor's Bureau invite you to 'Discover it All' in 'Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. Jefferson County's proximity to the Washington and Baltimore metro areas make it a neat place to visit on your way and its perfect for international visitors arriving into Washington Dulles, being just one hours drive away. This Eastern Panhandle of the state offers a wealth of history. There was action in Jefferson County in every year of the Civil War, including but not limited to the surrender of 12,500 Union troops to Stonewall Jackson's forces in September 1862 at Bolivar Heights. The other military actions included the many raids of General John S. Mosby and his men, the Great Train Robbery, the two battles of Charles Town, the battle of Shepherdstown and when General Early faced General Sheridan at the battles of Summit Point and Smithfield. Historians recently identified thirty-three Civil War sites in Jefferson County.
The Harpers Ferry National Historic Park is visited by many. A visit to this quaint, historic community, at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, is like stepping into the past. Stroll the picturesque streets, visit exhibits and museums, or hike our trails and battlefields. John Brown brought his men to Harpers Ferry, and commandeered the federal arsenal on the late evening of October 16, 1859. Their purpose was to secure the guns at the arsenal to arm and free the slaves.
The courthouse in Charles Town, which is still in use today, was the site of the Brown trial and two of the only three treason trials in the United States. The Jefferson County Museum in downtown Charles Town has on display many John Brown and Civil War items including the wagon that carried Brown to his execution, several pikes (weapons), the desk he used in his jail cell, a copy of the provisional constitution and the gurney he laid on during the trial. The historic Charles Town Walking Tour includes the hanging site, the trial site, the museum and the reading room where John Wilkes Booth did Shakespearean readings to entertain persons who attended the John Brown trial.
In Jefferson County, many homes became hospitals throughout the war. Quite often, brother fought against brother. Homes, local businesses and government businesses were destroyed as troops marched back and forth across the area. West Virginia, the state, was born during the Civil War and this area seceded from what was western Virginia and became a new state on June 20, 1863.
In the county is the state's oldest town, Shepherdtown, situated along the Potomac River in the beautiful lower Shenandoah Valley. Here visitors experience history and ambience of a town that pre-dates the Revolutionary War while, enjoying quaint restaurants, many unique shops and very lively music and arts scene. Nearby to Shepherdstown visitors can hike or bike the C&O Canal path and enjoy rafting, tubing or kayaking on the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers
Some of Jefferson County's annual events have acquired national prominence, like the two Mountain Heritage Arts and Crafts Festivals, the Contemporary American Theater Festival and the West Virginia Breeders Classic.
John Whisentant, CEO, Jefferson County, West Virginia was interviewed at IPW 2013 in Las Vegas.
West Virginia Tourism website:
Live broadcast Unravel Travel TV
Unravel Travel TV Twitter
Unravel Travel TV on You Tube
Unravel Travel TV
OTMST for 2012
The 23 annual Over the Mountain Studio Tour in Shepherdstown, WV. You can visit their studios and see their work in Shepherdstown in the West Virginia panhandle. The First weekend in November every year.
All video music licensed by: PBTM Productions and FootageFirm
Charles Town, West Virginia notes 225th anniversary with fall festival
Charles Town, W. Va. celebrates its 225th anniversary this year at its annual Heritage Festival weekend, this year from Sept. 16-18, 2011 in the historic eastern panhandle region of the state.
2016: A look at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center in Lansing, WV
(3-23-2016) Here is a video from my earlier days, a tour of the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, aka the New River Gorge Visitor Center, in Lansing, WV. Enjoy the views of the New River Gorge, and a view of some of the fine scenery in the State of West Virginia
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USA: WEST VIRGINIA: ISRAELI/SYRIAN PEACE TALKS PREVIEW
English/Nat
The sleepy country town of Shepherdstown in West Virginia is gearing up for the Israeli/Syrian peace talks that begin there on Monday.
The town is about 90 miles from the U-S capital Washington D-C, and was chosen for both its seclusion and its proximity to the capital.
The Golan Heights - occupied by Israel since 1967- have been at the centre of one of the more seemingly intractable disputes blocking full peace in the region.
Their future could be finally resolved in the new millennium.
SUGGESTED VOICE-OVER
Shepherdstown is home to a wide variety of people - artists, retirees, commuters, software engineers and students at the local college.
Its population will have almost doubled while more than a thousand people involved in the peace talks - delegations, diplomats, security and media - are in town.
The last time it experienced such a major influx was during the American Civil War - the result of a bloody battle fought nearby.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
I think of all the places in the world Shepherdstown is probably the best place to have it. After the Battle of Antietam, this was a town of healing, all the wounded were taken here to be taken care of and healed, and I think that feeling of healing has permeated the floors, the streets, the ceilings, the air of the town and over 100 years later people are still feeling that. So I think Shepherdstown is the perfect place to have talks about peace.
SUPER CAPTION: Roni La Vache, Gift shop owner
Security at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre is predictably tight.
This is where the talks will be held, and residents anticipate traffic gridlock as the motorcades and security cordons choke of the towns narrow streets.
The media will be housed at the local Shepherd College, currently empty during the academic holidays.
But no matter how inconvenient the occasion might be for the locals, they are proud to be involved, and signs in English, Hebrew and Arabic can be seen everywhere.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
This is an old historical town where you can really be yourself in it, and no-one judges you. I think it's great for the peace talks...now everyone will know where Shepherdstown is. It's going to put it on the map and as long as security's fine, I have no problem with it.
SUPER CAPTION: Kathy Ritt, Resident
The peace signs are actually replicas of a page from the Los Angeles Times in the 1960s, pleading for peace in the Middle East.
The fact that over 30 years later total peace has still not been achieved gives some cause for cynicism.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
It's not that big of a deal, really doesn't affect me, just a bunch of suits from Washington coming down here to try to get a little peace, I guess. Hell, religions have been fighting each other for over 5000 years, and I don't think they can do anything about that.
SUPER CAPTION: Illya Harrell, Student
But if lasting peace does emerge from these talks, local people recognise their town will forever be remembered - in the Shepherdstown Accord.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
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Foundation of the Fire – Charleston, WV – Restaurants
There is a wealth of food options in Charleston, West Virginia. In this video and listed below are just a few options to consider.
Bluegrass Kitchen
Barge Restaurant
Noah’s Restaurant
Charleston West Virginia Visitor Bureau
Foundation of the Fire site:
Music Information: Clementi – Sonata in G Minor, performed by Nathan Eckel
Eagle Cam in Shepherstown WV
Eagle parent caring for eggs while we wait for them to hatch in Shepherdstown, WV.
Twenty Dollars South Of Berkeley Springs West Virginia October 21, 2014 1:21 PM
This video was uploaded from an Android phone.
Within The Chaos Halloween Special Guest Larry Battson (Larry, The Animal Guy) 10-31-19
Larry Battson (also known as Larry, The Animal Guy has been working with wild animals for nearly forty years. He and his wife, Cheryl, visit over 200 schools each year with their collection of exotic fauna. Larry also assisted retired radio host and escape artist Bill Shirk with animals for his various stunts, movies, and other special events. He even played a role in Bill Shirk's motion picture, The Escapist.
Larry's animals have appeared on Johnny Carson, Today Show and Oprah. He has worked with the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and a regular for over 30 years on Channel 8 WISH-TV. Larry Battson has traveled thousands of miles in the last thirty years educating and entertaining audiences with his collection of wild animals. Visiting schools, nature centers and libraries has been his focus as well as special events for groups such as the Explorers Club in N.Y.C., U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Audubon Society. He has done promotional work for Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom and the Animal Planet television network. He works with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources rescuing alligators and other reptiles.
Larry has presented information about bigfoot / sasquatch at many conferences. An especially interesting account involves a former park ranger employed in Yellowstone National Park, who experienced a family of Sasquatch over a 25-year career in the park. During the man’s service in the park, he was lucky enough to observe their hunting habits and their families. As a result, you will learn from the experiences related that we shouldn’t “mess with Sasquatch”.
Here is a press release written by Bill Dranginis regarding an important presentation Larry did back in 2009.
Bigfoot History was made June 9th, 2009 at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The team that made this Historic day possible was the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wildlife Educator, Larry Battson. On Monday, Larry was interviewed by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife representative where Larry shared many Bigfoot sighting reports he has documented over the years. This interview was then broadcast yesterday (Tuesday) at noon to all the Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service television feeds. This simulcast reached tens of thousands of people around the Country. On Tuesday evening, Larry spoke at a public Lecture hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at its National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV. The National Conservation Training Center invites prominent scientists, educators, scientists and others to speak at these lectures. I attended a lecture at the training center four years ago and at that time, I never thought I would hear the word Bigfoot mentioned in that auditorium. Yesterday changed all that, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invited Larry to speak and officially called their lecture, Cryptozoology: Bigfoot-Myth or Reality? Larry’s presentation was very informative and extremely educational. Over two hundred people were glued to their seats the entire night! Interested individuals continued to barrage Larry with questions in the Conservation’s main entrance area until midnight. What was so great about this presentation and why I call it a Historical day in Bigfoot research was because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved not only Larry’s presentation concerning Bigfoot, but they also approved and engineered the television broadcast that went out to all the Department of the Interior and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service parks and offices. This involvement by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is unprecedented and possibly indicates a change of attitude about the Bigfoot creature’s existence. This type of production takes time and more importantly, money. I may be wrong with my thinking, but something really monumental happened last night at the National Conservation Training Center and I was honored to witness it. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife did their homework when they selected Larry Battson, Larry was the right person to person to deliver this message. Hopefully, Larry’s presentation and continued work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife will not just slip by unnoticed, I personally think there will be more to come! Please take the time to visit the National Conservation Training Center website, it’s full of valuable information about their wildlife lectures, classes and other historical information, while surfing their site, don’t forget to view the live Eagle Cam! Written by William M. Dranginis, Virginia Bigfoot Research Organization Manassas, VA.
Check out Larry's website at
Bella Exits Tree at 537 am - Hope Tracks Visitor - 645 am - Foggy - NCTC Bald Eagles - May 7, 2019
This footage captures early morning activity at the nest; Mom spend the night on the nest with Hope. Bella exits the tree at 537 am. Some fog moves into the area and it creates a lovely back drop when Hope is standing up ... love the look of the morning dew and fog at this nest. Watch closely at 645 am Hope tracks something as it flies in and lands in the tree. I think it may be the 3rd year bald eagle that lands in the tree as the tree shook when it landed indicating it is a large bird. The visitor seems to move about in the tree as Hope starts to track to the right of the nest. Unfortunately we do not have the tree view to confirm this or not i am basing it on Hope's behavior as he watches and tracks the visitor for a very long time. Later a 3rd year immature adult eagle surprises us by landing on the nest ... it appeared to be hungry and looking for food ... see separate video footage for that visit.
To watch the NCTC Bald Eagle Cam live click on this link
About the NCTC Bald Eagle Nest!
The NCTC Bald Eagle nest is located 75 miles from Washington, D.C. on the campus of The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services' National Conservation Training Center (NCTC). The campus is located at Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The nest territory is prime real estate as it is about 1/4 mile from the Potomac River.
Warmest thanks to the National Conservation Training Center, USFWS, the Outdoor Channel and Friends of the NCTC for providing and maintaining this bald eagle cam; we appreciate the opportunity to watch this eagle family from the comfort of our own homes!
Many thanks to the dedicated citizen scientists aka eagleholics that watch and document observations on this eagle family. These dedicated volunteers share their observations, screen captures and video footage on Bald Eagles 101 on Facebook. If you would like to follow this eagle family's journey please join us at Bald Eagles 101.
Best Places to Live in West Virginia
Hi -- If you're thinking of moving, then be sure to tune in to this series on the best places to living in west virginia. We're in the Eastern Panhandle so that's what we'll be focusing on. This video is about Martinsburg City. Future videos will cover Martinsburg outlying areas and other communities in the Eastern Panhandle - Shepherdstown, Charles Town and more.
My husband and moved to this area about 20 years ago to live and sell real estate. We had an ad agency in the DC metro area. So glad we made that decision - we love the slower pace, the affordability and the beauty.
If you're looking for a home in this area, check out our website. It feeds directly from the MLS so you'll see all the homes for sale in this area. No need to sign in....you can look freely.
And if you have any questions, thoughts, opinions or need anything else shoot me an email: jana@amazingaffordable.com
Hamilton Hatter's Tense Charlestown, WV 1865-1867
With generous, community-minded support from American Public University System. (The sentiments in this production do not in any way reflect modern-day policies of APUS). More at
Actor:
Jim Surkamp
Expert Joyceann Gray, herself.
Musicians:
Shana Aisenberg - copyright-holder banjo, mandolin (“Lorena”) (shanasongs.com)
Cam Millar - Cornfields, Big Circle (cammillar.com)
Kevin Williams - eerie synthesizer composition during courthouse segment - Railroad music - Dave Hellyer, harmonica; Joe Bourgeois, guitar; Kevin Williams, drums; Kelley Cornelius, percussion.
My Heart is in the Mountains from Lantern in a Poet's Garden, Poem by Daniel Bedinger Lucas (public domain) Music by Terry Tucker, c (the copyright symbol) 2010, GHF Music, terrytucker.net - John Brown's body [sound recording] by J. Weldon Norris Chorale; Washington, D.C., 2003. With permission from the James Weldon Norris Chorale.
Sound FX:
raven - Cornell Ornithological Laboratory
wagons, laughing men, crackling fire, horse whinny, dogs, pig squeal - from “free sfx.uk.com”
Main References:
Trowbridge, John T. (1866). “The South: a tour of its battlefields and ruined cities, a journey through the desolated states, and talks with the people: being a description of the present state of the country – its agriculture – railroads – business and finances.” Hartford, Conn., L. Stebbins.
Crayon, Porte. (Strother, David H.) “Our Negro Schools” Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, New York, NY: Harper and Bros. Volume 49 Issue 292 (September, 1874). pp. 457-468.
Image Credits:
A Freedman’s Bureau agent - Harper's Weekly, July 25, 1868, p. 473.
Godey’s Fashions for September, 1862
David Hunter Strother at The Strother Collection of West Virginia University: “September 13, 1858,” “Martinsburg October 2nd, 1859,” “Ruins of the Old Academy at Martinsburg January 18th 1876,” “Untitled (Young Freedwoman),””Sir John’s Road May, 1851,” “The Bath Keeper,” “Baltimore, March 14, 1860 - (Tea kettle, cup); (Old plantation owner in text) “Artist’s Excursion Baltimore & Ohio Railroad;” (Owner’s former enslaved person); “Milby Stephenson.”
“Independence (Squire Jack Porter)” 1858 - by Frank Blackwell Mayer
“Past and Present, No. 2 1858” - by Augustus Leopold Egg
“The Story Teller of the Camp” (1861-1865) - by Eastman Johnson
Paintings by Winslow Homer: “Cornfield” - 1873; “The Bright Side” - 1865; “Prisoners from the Front” - 1866; “Defiance - Inviting a Shot Before Petersburg” - 1865;” “Veteran in a New Field.”
Brown, Howell S. “Map of Jefferson County, Virginia From Actual Surveys With Farm Limits, 1852.”
From New York Illustrated News:
“Arrival of Mrs. Brown in Charlestown, Accompanied by Capt. Moore, and an Escort, December 1, 1859” Pub. December 17, 1859; “The Procession to the Scaffold, December 2, 1859,” Pub. December 17, 1859; “Execution of John Brown.” Pub. December 10, 1859.
From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, December 17, 1859: “John Brown Riding on his Coffin to the Place of Execution;” “John Brown Ascending the Scaffold Preparatory to Being Hanged;” “The Jail in Charlestown that held John Brown and his Raiders;” From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, November 19, 1859: “View of Charlestown.”
Harper’s New Monthly Magazine: Strother, David H., “Personal Recollections of the Civil War.” (May, 1867), p. 716; Strother, David H., Virginia Illustrated. (Aug., 1855), p. 296; Crayon, Porte “Our Negro Schools,” (September 1874), p. 458.
Harper's Weekly, November 12, 1859: The Arraignment;” “Trial of John Brown.”
Robert Underwood Johnson, Clarence Clough Buel (Ed.). “Battles and Leaders″. (1887): finding a skull in a field, Vol. 2, p. 347; plough in a field, Vol. 1, p. 216; crows over a field, Vol. 1, p. 217; Ross House, Vol. 3, p. 637.
From King, Edward. (1875). “The Great South; A Record of Journeys in Louisiana, Texas, the Indian Territory, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland:” Illustrated by Champney, James Wells. Hartford, Conn. American Publishing Co. Print: p. 99 - train car (inside); p. 659 - food to people in train cars; p. 649 - Virginia corn shed.
Man plowing by James E. Taylor - Library of Congress
NEXT - “The Most Excellent Hamilton Hatter - the Mission School in Charlestown” Go to civilwarscholars.com for 700K of footnoted content and 12K images to accompany these videos made possible with the support of American Public University System more at Go to civilwarscholars.com for 700K of footnoted content and 12K images to accompany these videos made possible with the support of American Public University System more at
exploring fayetteville, wv // new river gorge road trip
sunday's vlog from my climbing trip to new river gorge! we stopped by the new river visitor center/overlook, visited some local shops, & ended our weekend by driving back to ohio
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keep in touch!
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i got a few more vlogs on the way! also check out my ig & tumblr for all my photos & posts over there! :-)
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music:
chill noons by kronicle
History of Carnegie Hall (WV)
Welcome to Carnegie Hall's #ThirdThursday Video Series! In this installment, we bring you the history of the building and the inception of Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, WV as we know it today.
The Vagabond Chef Tour of WV
In September 2015 I took ten days to ride around the beautiful state of WV, exploring her people, culture, and food. Here are the highlights.
Thanks to the West Virginia Division of Tourism, Cabell-Huntington CVB, Hillbilly Hot Dogs, Jewel City Seafood, Hatfield/McCoy CVB, Pies & PInts (Fayetteville), Starling Coffee & Provisions, Charleston CVB, Smooth Ambler Distillery, Greenbrier County CVB, Jefferson County CVB, The Town's Inn, The Bavarian Inn, The Jabberwock, Atomic Grill, and Table 9.
Special thanks to the Wheeling CVB for providing equipment and tons of support, to Shadcat for putting the video together and shooting extra footage, and to Arts and Crofts for photography.