This story is several days old, but I thought it was worth sharing.
From the Journal-News.com: Festival starts with dedication
CHARLES TOWN - A Washington family descendent, local politicians, residents and more than 100 schoolchildren were present for two events that kicked off the Charles Town Heritage Festival Friday morning.
The day started with a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of Charles Washington, who was an American colonel in the American Revolution, was George Washington's half-brother and also was the founder of Charles Town. Friday's event was in commemoration of the 212th anniversary of his death.
This was the first time there has been a wreath-laying event by the town because the property has only been in Charles Town's possession for about a year, said Mayor Peggy Smith.
Charles Town is celebrating its 225th anniversary this weekend, and the wreath ceremony was an appropriate way to start the festival, Smith said.
"We felt that it was only fitting to start this celebration by honoring the founder of our city, Col. Charles Washington," she said.
Smith and Walter Washington, a direct descendent of the Washington family, later dedicated a freshly planted American elm tree at Jefferson Memorial Park.
They also spoke to schoolchildren about the Washington family in Jefferson County and the history of the American elm tree.
George Washington came through when he was a teenager as part of a survey team, and the Washington family later established themselves in the local area, Walter Washington said.
"He was so impressed by the land here and how fertile it was and how much water there was that he encouraged his brothers to start buying land here," he said.
"It's great that everyone recognizes the heritage here," he added after the tree dedication. "We have so much history in the county, it's wonderful to celebrate it."
In dedicating the tree, Smith said the Liberty Tree was a famous elm tree in Boston before the American Revolution started, and it served as a rallying point for colonists.
"Let this be our Liberty Tree," Smith told the crowd at Jefferson Memorial Park.
The Charles Town Heritage Festival will continue today and Sunday, and a schedule of events can be found at www.historiccharlestownwv.com.
