September 18th Fundraiser Planned for Washington Family Home

The Claymont Society, the National Park Trust, and the Jackson Kelly Law Firm will host an event on September 18th, 2010 from 3pm to 5pm to raise matching funds for the Claymont Mansion, a West Virginia Washington Family Home. The Mansion has been selected to receive $150,000 from the federal Save America's Treasures (SAT) grant program, thanks to an appropriations request by Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito.

"The Save America's Treasures grant is the premiere historic preservation grant in the nation and to receive funds is a great honor and recognition of the historic significance of the Claymont Court Mansion. We are grateful to Congresswoman Capito for recognizing how important this project is for the Washington Family Legacy in Jefferson County, WV and for recognizing that heritage tourism can bring significant economic benefits to the area," says William Brownell, Chair of the National Park Trust.

As with most federal grants, the federal funds require a 1 to 1match, as such the grant amount will total $300,000. The National Park Trust has received a preservation grant from the 1772 Foundation, which provides grants to restore American historical treasures. NPT invites you to attend this event, which will feature hors d'oeuvres, tours of the Mansion, a George Washington interpreter and West Virginia fiddle players.

Built by George Washington's grand-nephew, Bushrod Corbin Washington, the Claymont Mansion is considered the crown jewel of the eight remaining Washington Family Homes in Jefferson County. At 16,000 square feet, it is the largest of the Washington Homes, and it is listed as nationally significant on the National Register of Historic Places. The Mansion is particularly unique in that it provides visitors unaltered viewsheds and a glimpse into the history of the members of George Washington's Family, which virtually dominated Jefferson County, WV in the 19th century.

Four years ago, the National Park Trust, a nonprofit land trust, partnered with The Claymont Society, owners of the Claymont Court Mansion, to determine ways to preserve the mansion and the 345 acres surrounding the property. The success in receiving the SAT grant is a big step toward achieving that preservation goal. NPT is also working with the Society to place the property into a conservation easement, protecting the property from development in perpetuity and to create Washington's Way West National Heritage Area, which would celebrate the area's rich Washington Family Legacy.

About The Claymont Society for Continuing Education
The Claymont Society is 501c3 nonprofit organization which has owned and helped restore the Claymont Court Mansion since 1975. It operates as a year-round educational retreat center and a community supported agriculture program.

About Save America's Treasures
The National Park Service administers the SAT funds in a public/private partnership with its nonprofit partner, the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The SAT program is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of America's priceless historic legacy.

The event will be held at the Claymont Mansion on September 18th, 2010 from 3pm to 5pm To attend the event or donate to the restoration project, please contact Shana Newman Fajardo at 301-279-7275 or shana@parktrust.org

Kit McGinnis National Park Trust Email: kit@parktrust.org

Amy Silver Claymont Society for Continuous Education Email: seminars@claymont.org

Donations made to the Save America's Treasures Matching Fund are tax deductible. Please let us know if you need a receipt for this purpose.

Make checks payable to the Claymont Society and you can mail to:

Claymont Society for Continuous Education
667 Huyett Rd.
Charles Town, WV 25414
attn: Save America's Treasures Grant