Community - Shepherdstown Visitors Center

Historic Shepherdstown

Historic Shepherdstown is an active non-profit membership organization dedicated to preserving Shepherdstown's architectural character and building public understanding of Shepherdstown's distinctive history. Incorporated in 1961, Historic Shepherdstown has undertaken many important major projects that benefit our community. The Historic Shepherdstown Museum was founded in 1983, and in 1986 the expansion and updating of the National Register for Historic Places listing for the Shepherdstown Historic District was completed.

The largest effort began in 1972 when the historic Entler Hotel was scheduled for demolition. Volunteers worked together to save and restore the building as a center for public activity, and it was placed on the National Historic Register as an Historic Site. After many years of heavy public use, a major 25th anniversary renovation project was undertaken in 1997-98 to further enhance the public rooms. Today the Entler is headquarters for Historic Shepherdstown. Reception rooms are available for social gatherings, meetings, art exhibitions and other programs, and office spaces attract both profit and non-profit organizations.

Historic Shepherdstown also publishes a quarterly newsletter and sponsors local tours, educational programs, and an annual fall community party and fundraiser.

The Historic Shepherdstown Museum

Established in 1983 the Historic Shepherdstown Museum was founded to preserve and display artifacts, furnishings, and preserve and documents of historic interest that might otherwise have been lost for people of Shepherdstown and Jefferson County.

The first floor of the museum, formerly the ladies' and gentlemen's parlors, is now decorated as a formal reception room. The second and third floors include a room furnished as a hotel bedroom, a Victorian sitting room, and five rooms containing local artifacts including a fine display of local American Indian tools and artifacts.

The Museum has also been responsible for having books reprinted that are a major source of history of the area. These are on sale at the museum, by mail, and at some local stores. Located in the oldest extant section of the Entler Hotel, the museum is open to the public from April through October, on Saturdays from 11-5 and Sundays from 1-4. Admission is free. For information on our archival holdings or our volunteer docent program, please call the number listed above. Donations are gladly accepted as they help run the museum.

Rental Information

The Entler Hotel has ample space for an occasion of your choice such as weddings, dinners, parties, exhibits, fundraisers, etc. Unlike most venues in Shepherdstown, The Entler provides a lush garden that provides a wonderful place for guests to mingle. Besides, the place should be as special as the event, so call us today to plan your next gathering!