George Washington's Bathtub Celebration

March 14-16, 2008 (For more information on the Washington Heritage Trail in Morgan County, click here.)

George Washington's face still means something in Berkeley Springs! From Friday through Sunday shops and businesses around town join in George Washington's Bath Tub Celebration with dollar sales and specials as well as unique history related events. Find the first president's face in selected shop windows and inside you will find $1 items, $1 off items or a special gift of a brand new $1 bill when you spend $25 or more. A free guide to the specials offered is available at the Visitors Center and other locations.

Saturday -- Museum of the Berkeley Springs opens for season. Debuts new George Washington rock exhibit. On the upper floor of the historic Roman Bath House in Berkeley Springs State Park.
10am -- Public reception for WV History Hero -- Betty Lou Harmison, VP Museum

At 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, John Douglas and Jeanne Mozier read from the writings of George Washington about Berkeley Springs. At the Museum of the Berkeley Springs on the upper floor of the historic Roman Bath House in Berkeley Springs State Park.

Noon, History Lunch @ Country Inn to honor Betty Lou Harmison. Reservations. $20
Call 1-800-447-8797

2-3pm, Guided Walking Tour of Fairfax & Washington St by Jeanne Mozier. Leave from Country Inn

Call 800-447-8797 or 258-9147 for more information.

George Washington's own words about one of his favorite haunts—the area in and around Berkeley Springs—are the core of John Douglas' book. Washington first visited "ye fam'd warm springs" as a 16-year-old surveyor and returned throughout his life to "take the waters." Douglas' thoughtful research puts Washington's words into the broader context of history. Washington, the man, is revealed in exchanges with inventor James Rumsey regarding delays in construction of Washington's cottage at the springs as well as typical tourist notes about food and lodging. Many of the sites mentioned by Washington are along the western section of the Washington Heritage Trail National Scenic Byway through the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.

"What better way to celebrate George Washington's intimate connection to Berkeley Springs than to celebrate his bathtub," said Mozier, one of the event's local organizers. "Many places claim Washington slept there. We have his bathtub—the only outdoor monument to presidential bathing." Located in Berkeley Springs State Park in the center of town, George Washington's Bathtub is a favorite stop on the Washington Heritage Trail National Scenic Byway. A self-guided brochure of the entire 54-mile segment of the three-county trail in Morgan County is available at the Visitors Center and other locations.

George Washington would enjoy the major entertainment of the weekend: three performances of William Shakespeare's The Tempest staged by the Ice House Theater Project at Berkeley Springs High School. Other weekend activities include the Troubadour Lounge's weekly steak feed on Friday, along with Mike Hick's Karaoke.

On Saturday, conclude an afternoon of indulging in dollar specials and spa treatments with George Washington's special dinner party, featuring authentic historic recipes, at Tari's Premier Café and Gallery. Then, kick up you heels to the music of 40 West Band at the Troubadour.

The country's first spa continues its dedication to the art of bathing and invites visitors to share in George Washington's passion for the waters at Berkeley springs at any of the town's five full-service spas. George Washington's Bathtub Celebration is the last major weekend of the Winter Festival of the Waters, produced by Travel Berkeley Springs. Winter Festival specials and events continue through the end of March. For more information call Travel Berkeley Springs at 1-800-447-8797 or 304-258-9147 or check out www.berkeleysprings.com.