Every week, The Observer digs into the details that matter in Jefferson County. Our content is free for everyone to read, but producing well-researched local news isn’t free.
Closures, Restrictions & Uncertainty At Harpers Ferry Park
The shutdown of the federal government that began on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 is affecting operations at the Harpers Ferry National Historic Park.
Prior to the shutdown, park officials declined to provide details of how services would be affected. They have not yet released official updates about current operations.
As of today, The Observer has been able to collect the following information from various sources:
The main parking lot by the visitor center is open and no entry fee is being collected.
The shuttle between the visitor center parking and lower town will be running at least until Sunday, October 5.
The restrooms in lower town were open during the day on Wednesday, October 1, but no confirmation on whether they would remain open. The Town of Harpers Ferry has placed several portable restrooms near the train station.
The bookstore will remain open in October.
The construction on the stairway connecting the Byron bridge to the canal towpath is continuing (according to the original schedule, the stairway was expected to reopen by early next week with temporary stairs in place). The shuttle between the town and canal was running on October 1.
Broader Effects On Local Economy
While Harpers Ferry National Historic Park may be the most visible federal presence locally, Jefferson County is home to other federal offices and facilities including Customs and Border Protection training facility (Harpers Ferry), Geological Services (Leetown), Job Corps (Harpers Ferry), and the National Conservation Training Center (Shepherdstown). Federal facilities in Berkeley County include the Department of Agriculture, Coast Guard, IRS, and the VA Medical Center.
According to 2023 Census Bureau data analyzed by the Economic Policy Institute, about 23,000 federal employees work in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties. Federal employees make up roughly 3.5% of the workforce in Jefferson County and 6.2% in Berkeley County.
These figures do not indicate how many federal employees live in the Eastern Panhandle and commute elsewhere for work.
Members of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 5351, the union representing JCESA employees, met with the County Commission on September 22 to present their concerns about staffing restrictions and benefits changes.
A tragic house fire in Shannondale on Tuesday, September 30, claimed two lives and sent three others to the hospital. The West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating, and a community “Go Fund Me” drive has been set up to help support the family.
The fire was reported to the 911 call center just after 9 am in the morning. Equipment and crews were dispatched from all staffed fire stations in Jefferson County and the first fire fighting crews arrived within 9 minutes of dispatch.
According to records available from the dispatch system, the initial call dispatched 3 fire trucks and 2 ambulances, all crewed by Jefferson County Emergency Services Agency (JCESA) staff. A third JCESA ambulance crew was dispatched immediately following the initial assessment.
Resources For Fire & Ambulance Response
JCESA’s personnel are cross-trained in firefighting and EMS, making them often the first responders to fire calls, especially when fewer volunteers are available. Tuesday’s fire highlighted how quickly the entire shift, consisting of 12 crew members and 1 supervisor, can be fully occupied with active calls.
Mutual aid agreements with Berkeley, Clarke, and Loudoun counties brought additional crews, and off-duty JCESA staff staffed the County’s reserve ambulance during the day.
Additional volunteers from Jefferson County fire companies plus career personnel from Loudoun County also responded to the Tuesday incident, which remained active into the evening.
A message from Appalachian Chamber Music Festival
A special concert by ACMF musicians, celebrating 20th-century Spanish cellist and composer, Gaspar Cassadó. Featuring a rare performance of his unpublished Quartet No. 3, performed in the intimate setting of Shepherdstown Train Station as part of a wider USA tour. As heard on NPR’s “Lost in Plain Sight” project. Click here for tickets
Brunswick Hosts 42nd Annual Railroad Days Festival
2024 Railroad Days (courtesey photo)
Brunswick Railroad Days is a two-day festival celebrating local music, art, and artisans. This year’s event runs Saturday and Sunday, October 4–5, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
True to its name, the festival highlights the city’s long-standing connection to the railroad, which has been central to Brunswick since the 1800s. Attendees can explore model train layouts or book a 45-minute ride on a modern train running between the festival and Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia (advance reservations required via the website).
Brunswick is located just downriver from Harpers Ferry — about a 30-minute drive from Charles Town or Shepherdstown. The festival takes place along West Potomac Street and Square Corner Park in downtown Brunswick, with plenty of free parking at the MARC train lot just one block from the festival.
Our featured artist, Calvin Edward Ramsburg is an award-winning artist whose work has been exhibited extensively. Ed lives and teaches in Frederick, MD. His colorful acrylic paintings “make the imagination visible”. Fran Skiles is an abstract artist with studios in Florida and Shepherdstown, WV. She uses collage, prints, inks and acrylics to create layered energetic work. Don Black is a Winchester, Va. artist who credits inspiration to love of nature, color and contact with his talented artist colleagues. Opening reception is Saturday, October 4, 5 – 7 pm.
Bridge Gallery 8566 Shepherdstown Pike, Shepherdstown, WV 25443. Tel 304-876-2300
Arts, Culture & Community Events
The 2025 Freedom's Run events will run along the C&O Canal and will begin and end on the Shepherd University campus (see event link below)
Rebel With A Clause (Film & Q&A) — New film based on the best-selling book by author Ellen Jovin followed by a virtual Q&A with the author and director at the Shepherdstown Opera House (131 W German St, Shepherdstown). Thursday, Oct 2, 7 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Shepherdstown First Friday — Live music by Lisa Lafferty and 1st annual “Mrs. Roper Romp” in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in downtown Shepherdstown (corner of German and King Streets). Lawn chairs and blankets encouraged. Stores open late for food purchases and other shopping. Friday, Oct 3, 5–7 pm. Free. Info…
Spaghetti Dinner — Community dinner hosted by New Street United Methodist Church (202 West New St, Shepherdstown). Friday, Oct 3, 5–7 pm. $ Info…
Flow - A Shepherdstown Film Society Selection — Oscar-winning animated film follows a courageous cat after his home is devastated by a flood. Shepherdstown Opera House (131 West German St, Shepherdstown). Friday, Oct 3, 7:30 pm. Pay what you can.Tickets & Info
Freedom’s Run Race Series — Popular annual marathon and races take place throughout the area. Registration is still open and some races accept same-day registration. Saturday, Oct 4. $ Info…
Free Community Health Fair — Sponsored by WV Medicine Berkeley and Jefferson Medical Centers. Opportunities for blood pressure checks, health information, vendors, cancer education and prevention resources. Asbury United Methodist Church (4257 Kearneysville Pike, Shepherdstown). Saturday, Oct 4, 8 am – 4 pm. Free. Info…
42nd Annual Brunswick Railroad Days — Festival celebrating railroad heritage with vendors, rides, and family activities in downtown Brunswick, MD. Saturday–Sunday, Oct 4–5, 10 am–5 pm. Info
Garnet Jex Paintings of Harpers Ferry — One-day exhibit of paintings of Harpers Ferry by Garnet Jex at Camp Hill-Wesley UMC, the church in which the artist helped hang his works (601 Washington St, Harpers Ferry). Free. Saturday, Oct 4, 10 am–4 pm.
Eastern Panhandle Clothing Swap — Organized by two local entrepreneurs. Opportunity to get some new-to-you gently used clothing, meet new people, and have some fun. Ranson Civic Center (432 West 2nd Ave, Ranson). Saturday, Oct 4, 10 am – 4 pm. Free. Info…
Pride at the MSV — Celebration of LGBTQ+ community with live entertainment and vendors at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (901 Amherst St, Winchester, VA). Saturday, Oct 4, 10 am–5 pm. Free. Info
Storer College History Tour — Guided tour exploring the history of Storer College and its campus starts at the Storer Campus gates (Fillmore Street, Harpers Ferry). Saturday, Oct 4, 10 am–noon. $ Info
Art Exhibit Opening — Opening reception for exhibit of new works by Calvin Edward Ramsburg, Fran Skiles and Don Black at Bridge Gallery (8566 Shepherdstown Pike, Shepherdstown). Saturday, Oct 4, 5–7 pm. Free.Info
Autumn Auction Fundraiser — Annual auction supporting the Old Opera House with social hour (204 N George St, Charles Town). Saturday, Oct 4, 6 - 10 pm. $ Tickets & Info
Contra Dance — Community dance with live traditional music at the War Memorial Building (102 E German St, Shepherdstown). Saturday, Oct 4, 7:30 pm. $ Info
Brahman Noodles: Night of the Grateful Dead — Live performance by Brahman Noodles celebrating the music of the Grateful Dead at the Shepherdstown Opera House (131 West German St, Shepherdstown). Saturday, Oct 4, 8 pm. $ Tickets & Info
Heritage Apple Fest — Annual festival celebrating apples with food, crafts, and demonstrations presented by Washington County Rural Heritage Museum (7313 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD). Sunday, Oct 5, 11 am–4 pm. Free with parking donations accepted. Info
Open House: Middleway Volunteer Fire Company — Family-friendly event where kids can climb inside a fire engine and meet their local firefighters at Middleway Fire Company (110 Dar Hill Rd, Kearneysville). Concessions available. Sunday, Oct 5, noon - 3 pm. Free. Info…
Dawg-On Pawsitive Adoption Day — Pet adoption day presented by Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County and hosted by Middleway Volunteer Fire Department (110 Dark Hill Rd, Kearneysville) during its Open House. Sunday, Oct 5, noon–3 pm. Free. Info…
Fall Fun Day at Tabler Farm — Family event with activities, farm tours, and food at Tabler Farm (482 Billmeyer Mill Rd, Shepherdstown). Sunday, Oct 5, 2–5 pm. Free. Info
A Streetcar Named Desire — The classic award-winning play caught on film by the UK’s National Theatre Live will be screened at the Shepherdstown Opera House (131 West German St, Shepherdstown). Sunday, Oct 5, 3 pm. $ Tickets & Info
In Search of Cassadó’s Legacy — Chamber music concert presented by Appalachian Chamber Music Festival players at the Shepherdstown Train Station (111 Audrey Eagle Dr, Shepherdstown). Sunday, Oct 5, 7–8:30 pm. $ Tickets & Info
Eastern Panhandle Career Fair — Sponsored by WV Medicine Berkeley and Jefferson Medical Centers. Opportunity for job seekers ready to explore new career paths, and for employers looking to connect with local talent. Ranson Civic Center (432 West 2nd Ave, Ranson). Tuesday, Oct 7, 1 – 5 pm. Free. Info…
