Associated Press Published

Charles Town to Acquire Portion of Charles Washington Estate

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Charles Town plans to acquire 10 acres surrounding city founder Charles Washington’s home, Happy Retreat.

The Journal reports that City Council approved a contract this week with the Friends of Happy Retreat. Under the contract, the city will pay $350,000 for the land and the nonprofit will pay $425,000 for the house and the remaining 2.2 acres.

Friends of Happy Retreat president Walter Washington says the transaction will give the public ongoing access to the estate.

Under private ownership by a family, the estate has been open to the public only at specified times.

The deal is expected to close in June 2015. Washington says the Friends of Happy Retreat will raise its share of the cost by then.

Washington, the brother of President George Washington, built Happy Retreat in 1780.