Berkeley County 250th Commemoration

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“Roots and Horizons: Celebrating Berkeley County’s Journey. Mural designed and painted by Martinsburg High School alumna Lea Craigie-Marshall, dedicated June 27, 2024. 

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Garland Lorenzo Wilson, born in Martinsburg in 1909, died in Paris, France in 1954. Famous boogie-woogie and stride jazz pianist

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From apple and peach orchards to watercress, flour mills and dairy farms, Berkeley County’s agricultural history is deeply rooted. 

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Arts and Artists represented are William Robinson Leigh, the Delaware Native American tribe, David Hunter Strother, the City Band of Martinsburg, Apollo Civic Theatre, J.C. Leyendecker and Reva Winfrey.

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Vicky Bullett, Olympic gold medalist and prominent player in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). 

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Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport history dates to 1922. Legendary aviator Amelia Earhart had a membership to the airport’s Aviation Club.  

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Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Lewis “Hack” Wilson began his professional career playing in Martinsburg, what became his adopted hometown. His National League home run record stood for 68 years, and his Major League record of 191 RBIs still stands. 

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Transportation landmarks and industrial feats include the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad roundhouse and shops, Samuel Fitz’ all-metal water wheel, Hannisville Distilling Co., Interwoven Mills, C.H. Musselman Co. and the Van Metre Ford Bridge. 

The Berkeley County 250th Commemoration Steering Committee in collaboration with MRB Foundation, Inc., and other community partners hosted a year-long birthday celebration featuring a series of family-focused events and activities in 2022 to celebrate the 250th birthday of Berkeley County. Take a look back at some of the fun here!

Legacy Projects

Through Private-Public Sponsorships and Commemorative Fundraising efforts, the Berkeley County 250th Commemoration Steering Committee facilitated the development and completion of the following Quality of Life-focused Legacy Projects for benefit of the community. 

History Mural: “Roots and Horizons: Celebrating Berkeley County’s Journey,” is a seven-panel public art project that was funded by Berkeley County 250th Commemoration Steering Committee and the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Convention & Visitors Bureau. The seven, 10-foot by 10-foot panels were installed in June 2024 on the historic Martinsburg Steam Laundry building at 301 East Stephen Street, along the Frog Hollow Recreation Trail in Martinsburg. 

A “studio” for the mural artist, Lea Craigie-Marshall, was set up at the Martinsburg Roundhouse in collaboration with the Berkeley County Roundhouse Foundation. Artist studio equipment purchased for the project was donated to the Roundhouse by the artist. Watch the mural dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony here.


Park BenchPark Benches: In keeping with quality of life goals and initiatives of the 250th Commemoration, eight legacy park benches were purchased for public parks across the community thanks to a donation by the Berkeley County 250th Commemoration Steering Committee. The benches, each affixed with a BerkeleyWV250 Legacy plaque, are being installed at Dupont Soccer Complex, Morgan Park, Poor House Farm Park, Rooney Park, Rousch Field, Hoke’s Run Battlefield Park and War Memorial Park.

New Historical Markers: The refurbishment of Highway Historical Markers commemorating Berkeley County history were completed in conjunction with the 250th Commemoration, and in collaboration with the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History. The development of new markers for the historic Rosemont Ball Park and Inwood Park recreation sites also are underway. Funding for the new projects has been received from the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Convention and Visitors Bureau and support also has been provided by the Berkeley County Historical Society.

Inwood Fair! - FinalRosemont Park - Original Home of Blue Ridge Baseball League Martinsburg Team











Commemoration Garden


Commemoration Garden: The development of Berkeley County 250th Commemoration Perennial Garden on the grounds of the Berkeley County Courthouse complex along South Raleigh Street was completed in collaboration with the Berkeley County Council of Garden Clubs and Berkeley County staff. Accented with tan pea gravel, the arrangement of Eastern Redbud, Limelight Hydrangea, Black-eyed Susan, Denim ‘n Lace, Lavender and Sedum is planted along an arch pathway of red and rock pavers. Special contributions received from Pat Wilkes and M.A. Bowers for this project. 


Lapel Pin
Lapel Pin: The BerkeleyWV250 lapel pin was produced by the Steering Committee in collaboration with Terri Reed. A total of 250 pins were produced. 

Coin: BerkeleyWV250 coin featuring the 250th Logo and Berkeley County Seal were distributed to volunteers and participants of Commemoration events. A total of 250 coins were produced.  

Lighted Ball Ornament


Lighted Ball Ornament: Produced by Weston, W.Va.-based Appalachian Glass, 250 lighted ball ornaments were sold to benefit the Berkeley County 250th Commemoration.


DecanterDecanter BoxDecanter Gift Box: Etched with the BerkeleyWV250 logo, 50 decanter gift boxes, including glasses, were sold for the benefit the Berkeley County 250th Commemoration.

RocksGlasses

Postcards


Postcards: Postcards spotlighting Berkeley County history were produced by the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Convention & Visitors Bureau for the benefit of the Berkeley County 250th Commemoration. 



Henry Rifle: Limited edition Henry rifles, individually numbered and engraved with images of notable Berkeley County landmarks, were sold in collaboration with Rocky Mountain Firearms Inc., of Johnstown, Colorado. A portion of the sale proceeds was donated to the 250th Commemoration. A total of 150 Henry rifles were produced as part of the company-initiated fundraiser, which was held at no cost to celebration organizers.

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Official Commemoration Logo

LOGO-JPGThe official event logo of the Berkeley County 250th Commemoration, was designed by James Rumsey Technical Institute (JRTI) student Fleetwood White in consultation with the 250th Commemoration Steering Committee. White’s design was among eight logo designs produced by JRTI students for consideration.

The official County Seal and Flag were designed by Musselman High School student Thea Clutter and Berkeley Springs High School (JRTI) student Branden Pindell, respectively, in collaboration with the Berkeley County 250th Commemoration Steering Committee.

Contributors and Sponsors

BerkeleyWV250 sponsorships, funds and contributions were received from the governing bodies of Berkeley County and City of Martinsburg, Martinsburg-Berkeley County Convention & Visitors Bureau, MRB Foundation, Berkeley County Development Authority, Proctor & Gamble, WVU Medicine, First Energy Foundation, State Farm (Eric Gates, Kay Lewis, Pam Neely, Dawn Newland, Dave Piepenbrink), Cacapon Institute, ERA Liberty Realty – Tina C. Roach, Realtor, and John Kilroy, Broker, Homespire Mortgage; Rutter’s, The Flagg Family, The Opequon Watershed, Inc., Touchstone Realty – The Brad and Cathy Team; Berkeley County Roundhouse Foundation, Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks & Recreation Board, General Adam Stephen Memorial Association, Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Libraries, Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce, Berkeley County Historical Society, Main Street Martinsburg, Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs, First United Bank & Trust, Jefferson Security Bank, Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation, NAACP Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia Branch 3242, Rotary Club of Martinsburg, West Virginia Humanities Council.

Individual contributions were received from: Alana Hartman, Alisha Puller, Alison Mee, Amanda Burnell, Andrew James, Anna Howard, April Hollern, Audrey Rowe, Barby Frankenberry, Beth McCord, Bill Grantham, Bob Williams, Branden Pindell, Carol Appenzellar, Carolyn Scheydt, Charles Mason, Christina Johnson, Clint Hogbin, Colleen Seager, Craig Blair, Dan Dulyea, Dana DeJarnett, David Billmyer, Dawn Pingley, Denise Phelps, Don Silvius, Donna Van Metre, Doug Copenhaver, Eddie Gochenour, Elaine Bobo, Elaine Mauck, Elizabeth Webster, Fay Stump, Fleetwood White, Frank Rodgers, Gary Gimbel, Gary Stanley Jr., Gretchen Fry, H.D. Boyd Jr., Helen and Leonard Harris, Herb Peddicord, Jackie Fearnow, Jaliza Perez, James Hersick, Jared Tomlin, Jason Barrett, Jason Howe, Jeff Fink, Jeff Wilkerson, Jennifer Smith, Jill Upson, Jim Barnhart, Jim Klein, Jim Marshall, Sherry and Jim Whitacre, John Elliot, Julia Gates, Keith Hammersla, Kenneth Lemaster, Kevin Knowles, Kristi Woodward, Kristian Davis, Lea Craigie-Marshall, Lynne Lashley, Lynne Seibert-Steptoe, Mark Barney, Mark Jordan, Mark Thompson, Marty Keesecker, Mary Butler, Mary Lewis, Matthew Howard, Matthew Pennington, Michael Noll, Mike Hite, Mike Hornby, Mike Laing, Natalie Cline, Nic Diehl, Nick Starliper, Pam Neely, Patricia McDaniel, Patrick Murphy, PJ Orsini, Randall Reid-Smith, Randy Lewis, Raven Lamp, Rebecca Russell, Rebecha Catlett, Richard Dennis, Rick Lowman, Rip Smith, Robby Blair, Robert Ball, Robin Johnson, Roger Kief, Ron Good, Sandra Lynch, Sherry Smith, Stacie Rohn, Steve Bauserman, Steven Truax, Steven Weiss, Susan Snowden, Terri Reed, Thea Clutter, Tina Combs, Todd Funkhouser, Vicky Bullett, Vicky Fields, Virginia Sine, Woodward Bousquet, Zachary Norris, Zack Walburn, Zakee McGill.