Photo Gallery
1st Lewis County Clerk's Office
Quiet Winter Scene at Maple Ridge Cemetery.
Restored Martinsburg Common School District #4- Loucks District.
The President's Corner
The Martinsburg Historical Society was honored to be visited by Mr. William Greer, Portland, Oregon, a descendant of Dr. Franklin Hough, in the fall of 2022. Dr. Hough, a Lewis County native and resident, authored a history of Lewis County in 1860 with a later, more extensive volume in 1883. Dr. Hough was a brother to Martinsburg resident Horatio Hough, an abolitionist, who used an underground cave on his farm property as a hiding place for slaves traveling north to freedom in Canada.
A reception was held at the Historic Martinsburg Town Hall honoring Mr. Greer. Guests enjoyed a talk by Mr. Greer visualizing the journey through Martinsburg made by these escaping slaves. Mr. Greer plans to return to Martinsburg to further his research on his ancestors.
The society continues to dialogue with the Demko family about the possibility of acquiring a small plot of land surrounding what is referred to as Hough’s Cave, to preserve it for its historic significance.
Artisan Engraving completed the restoration work on the grave markers in the Staring Cemetery in the fall of 2022 and the society will host a celebration at the cemetery in memory of those individuals who are buried there.
The society will host its annual open house at its District #4 one-room schoolhouse, Martinsburg Day on August 12, and perhaps bring back a skit of an historic Martinsburg event at its annual meeting in January 2024.
As the society enters its forty-seventh year, its members continue to preserve the history of the town and its people. New members are always welcome and membership information can be found on this webpage. Please consider joining us.
Nelson
