Historic Shepherdstown has added a story-writing contest for elementary-aged students at the 4th and 5th grade levels to the middle school story contest already announced.

The contests are part of Historic Shepherdstown’s Christmas in Shepherdstown celebration.

The original stories should be set in the Shepherdstown of the 1860s and could involve a holiday celebration like Christmas or New Year’s or a historic event like the aftermath of Antietam.

Students living in the Shepherdstown area and attending public or private schools or being home schooled are invited to participate.

For the elementary-aged children, there will be two prizes: first prize, $75, and second prize, $50. For the middle school children, the three prizes are $150, $75 and $50.

For both elementary and middle school students, the stories may be typed or handwritten and should be 750 to 1,500 words in length. Each should include a cover page listing the story’s title and author, as well as teacher, grade and school where appropriate.

The stories should be mailed to Historic Shepherdstown, P. O. Box 1786, Shepherdstown, WV 25443. All entries should be postmarked no later than Nov. 30.

For further information, including the judges’ criteria for selecting prizewinners, contact Donna Northouse, 304-876-8177 or dnorthouse@gmail.com or go to www.historicshepherdstown.com.