(Submitted photo) The Entler Hotels public rooms welcomed visitors and townspeople from the early 19th century through 1921. Now, they are the focal point of the Shepherdstown museum.

The Historic Shepherdstown Museum will reopen for the spring, summer and fall on April 2.

The Historic Shepherdstown Commission operates the museum, which is located in the Entler Hotel at the corner of German and Princess Streets.

The hours will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays. The museum’s season runs from April through October and for two weeks during Christmas in Shepherdstown.

The museum tells the history of the Shepherdstown and the Entler Hotel, using objects donated by many generous local patrons.

Although the admission is $4, one-half off cards are readily available at the Visitors’ Center and the museum. Children and other students are admitted free.

From impressive 18th and 19th century grandfather clocks made by the Craft family on German Street to the first book published in what is now West Virginia to a black velvet jacket worn by Shepherdstown’s own Mary Lou Entler once arrested as a Confederate spy, the museum has objects of interest to everyone. A replica of James Rumsey’s steamboat, built and owned by the Rumseian Society, can be seen in its own building in the museum’s garden.

The two buildings housing the Shepherdstown Museum were built in 1796 and 1800. The Globe Tavern was established in the basement in about 1809. By about 1830, this hotel, operated by Philip Entler, was the best in town. The Entler – later Rumsey -Hotel was open until 1921, when it became the property of Shepherd College.

Used for multiple purposes, the building deteriorated so much that the college planned demolition. At that point, concerned citizens of Shepherdstown joined together to save the building and restore it. After a huge community-wide effort, the renamed Entler Hotel was restored. The museum opened in 1983.

For more information, contact Cindy Schott, Historic Shepherdstown’s administrator, at 304-876-0910, Monday through Wednesday.

Civil War Trust to clean sites

On Saturday April 2, history buffs and preservationists from around the country will team up with 11th annual Civil War Trust to help clean and restore America’s priceless battlefields, cemeteries and shrines. The nationwide effort- dubbed Park Day- is underwritten with a grant from History (formerly the History Channel). Park Day is presented in partnership with Take Pride in America, a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is one if the sites that will benefit from Park Day activities. Volunteers are needed to clean up the Schoolhouse Ridge North Battlefield.

From 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. volunteers will remove vegetation and wire from fence lines on the battlefield using hand tool. Volunteers will meet at the park Visitor Center and should wear boots, long pant, long-sleeve shirts. Bring a pair of work gloves, water, snacks and be prepared to get dirty. Tools will be provided by the park.

Park Day is an annual event sponsored by the Civil War Trust.

This event will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. T-shirts provided by CWT will be available to all volunteers.

For more information contact Volunteer Coordinator Jessica Liptak at 304-535-5017 or by e-mail at Jessica –“mailto:Liptak@nps.gov”>Liptak@nps.gov. For information the day of the event, call the park Information Center at 304-535-6029.

‘Scared to death’ talk set April 14

SPRINGS MILLS – The Falling Waters Battlefield Association will present a talk “Was Someone Really ‘Scared to Death’ at Falling Waters” on Thursday, April 14 at 7 p.m .at the Spring Mills Middle School, 255 Campus Drive. Recent research has uncovered the truth regarding contemporary newspaper accounts which said just that. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. A short business meeting will follow the talk. Both are free and open to the public. For information or directions, please call 304-263-7242 or visit the website at www.battleoffallingwaters.com/.

5K to feature scenic views?

The Shepherdstown Daycare is now accepting registrations for its annual “The Run By the River 5K” event, which will be held on May 7 at the Shepherdstown Train Station. The run features scenic views of the Potomac River along River Road.

There will also be a quarter-mile kids run/jog/walk for children under 8 years of age and their parents.

The 5K will begin at 9 a.m. The kids fun run will start at 9:40 a.m.

The race fee is $25 and all pre-registered runners will receive a race t-shirt. The children’s run will be free. There is a $250 prize for the first place male and female runners as well as prizes for individual division winners. Additionally there will be free gifts for all mothers.

All proceeds will be used to support The Shepherdstown Daycare. For full information, go to the race website at www.shepherdstowndaycare.org/fiveK.html. On-line registration is available there through a link to Active.com. Or contact the race directors at jm thorn@yahoo.com or 304-728-9588.

Agroforestry lecture slated

Shepherd University’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society will host the lecture “Agroforestry Systems as Conservation Tools: The Case of Shade Coffee” by Robert A. Rice, research scientist at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, April 7 at 7 p.m. in the Robert. C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies auditorium.

Rice conducts research and addresses policy issues related to migratory bird habitat and conservation at the SMBC.

Since receiving his Ph.D. from the University of California-Berkeley, he has lived and worked in Guatemala, and for the past 15 years has been at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. His research interests focus upon the intersection between agricultural activities and the natural environment, as well as the socioeconomic benefits derived from diverse agroforestry systems.

He currently is examining soil carbon in agroforestry systems with different shade management regimes.

For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit www.shepherd.edu/pkpweb.

Shepherd?football banquet on tap

Tickets are now on sale for the Shepherd University Football Banquet. The banquet will be held April 15 at 7 p.m. at the Shepherd Wellness Center. Tickets are $25 per person.

The Rams will be honored for their historic season and the 2010 highlight film will be shown.

Contact Aaron Ryan at aryan@shepherd.edu or 304-876-5527 to order your tickets. Checks should be made payable to the Shepherd University Foundation. There is also an opportunity to sponsor a player’s dinner for $15.