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A Tradition of Arts & CultureIn the 18th century, Bath (today’s Berkeley Springs) was the new country’s only fashionable spa town. Traveling preachers complained that those taking the waters preferred touring actors. David Hunter Strother, known as Porte Crayon was an outstanding 19th century sketch artist and one of America’s first travel writers. He owned the 500-room Berkeley Springs Hotel and entertained other writers including the great American author Washington Irving who visited Berkeley Springs and was introduced to lawn bowling. Cottagers and hotel guests in Victorian Bath enjoyed professional bands and often staged amateur theatricals. An Opera House was built in 1902 and movies were first shown there in 1909. The spa town’s history has always been an alluring topic for study. In Berkeley Springs today history and culture are routinely part of daily life, considered essential for the community's well being.There is an award-winning arts council, several galleries and a community of more than 125 working artists, musicians and authors with more settling here daily. The lively cultural scene includes a vintage movie theater, history museum, active historical society, public library, quilt group and several community performance organizations including a concert band, choir and theater group.The Morgan County schools are committed to arts education,West Virginia's first arts incubator is located in the Ice House and live local music is available year ‘round. Read more about local history in the Walking Tour of Berkeley Springs, Treasure Tour of Berkeley Springs State Park and the Washington Heritage Trail in Morgan County.
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