Region 6 - West Virginia Department of Commerce

Community ProfilesRegion 8 - Eastern PanhandleCounties: Berkeley, Jefferson, MorganProfileOnly a 60-minute drive from Washington, DC and Baltimore, this picturesque region is known for its foothills, extensive fruitorchards, rich farmland, and five 18th century towns that are still the center of life today. Scenic rivers flow through narrow gorgesand form rapids; a 19th century canal is intact; and brick town streets share the scene with dirt roads. There are spectacularpanoramic views, some with minimal human artifacts in sight and others overlooking towns. The lowest point of the state meets atthe confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. 18th and 19th century architecture abounds, including whole downtownneighborhoods and the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. There are two historic theatre buildings, both still in use, and livelycommunity and professional theatre activities. The most diverse and sophisticated of the state’s regions, the area is filled withexcellent restaurants and caterers, golf courses, lodging places, art studios, and shops. Weather is seasonal, moderate, andcomparable to Washington, DC. The rarest treat — enough spas and massage therapists that every cast member can have their ownfavorite.Connector Cities from Martinsburg: Washington Dulles International Airport, 55 miles; Baltimore-Washington InternationalAirport, Baltimore, 95 miles; Richmond, Virginia, 158 miles; Hagerstown, Maryland, 22 miles; Winchester, Virginia, 24 milesRegional Highlights• Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, located at theconfluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers,witnessed the first successful application of interchangeablemanufacture, the arrival of first successful Americanrailroad, John Brown’s 1859 abolitionist raid where CaptainMeriwether Lewis gathered many supplies for his Corps ofDiscovery Expedition, the largest surrender of Federal troopsduring the Civil War, and the education of former slaves inone of the earliest integrated schools in the United States• Murphy’s Farm, site of the Niagara Movement, whichbecame the NAACP• Apollo Civic Theatre, a cultural landmark in downtownMartinsburg• The Paw Paw Tunnel, a hand carved, 24-foot-high tunnellined with six million bricks, can be traveled and explored byfoot or bicycle45• Restored antebellum Martinsburg Roundhouse, site ofcountry’s first labor strike• Berkeley Springs, the country’s first warm water spa townstill in operation, recognized as one of the best artisan citiesin the country• Authentic Norman castle overlooking the town of BerkeleySprings• Shepherdstown is home to three film organizations:American Conservation Film Festival, Shepherdstown FilmSociety, and High Street Film Festival at ShepherdUniversity• Home to the campus of Shepherd University,Shepherdstown