Christian Asam, center, cuts the ribbon at the opening of the Shepherdstown Welcome Center on Dec. 17. Toni Milbourne

SHEPHERDSTOWN–The Jefferson County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau officially opened its third welcome center in the county Tuesday with a ribbon cutting at the Market House in Shepherdstown. The 1800-structure most recently housed the town’s library and was designated by the Town Council to be the home of the town’s welcome center.

Guests gathered in the completely remodeled building where, after some comments from several speakers, story boards around the room revealed photos of locations not only in Shepherdstown, but around the county as well.

Christian Asam, president of the Jefferson County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, shared some photos of what the building had previously looked like and encouraged everyone to take a tour of the center before leaving. Asam thanked many contributing partners before calling former Shepherdstown Mayor Jim Auxer forward to speak.

“I want to thank Mayor Auxer who was very instrumental in getting this going and getting us to the finish line,” Asam said as he asked Auxer to make some comments.

“This is a much-anticiapted event,” Auxer said as he thanked everyone for coming and everyone who had a part in making the Market Place shine as the new Welcome Center. “It’s wonderful to see this project grow and come to fruition,” he said, adding that it was a collaborative effort between he town and the CVB.

“This will enhance what Shepherdstown has to offer and assist the town in putting its best foot forward,” Auxer said. “Christian Asam should be lauded for his forward thinking,” Auxer said. “He has done a wonderful job of moving this forward,” he added, also complimenting Annette Gavin-Bates, executive director of the CVB.

Mayor James Gatz also took time to comment on the momentous occasion of opening the Welcome Center.

“We have a Visitor’s Center that has expanded into this beautiful, iconic building,” Gatz said. “It is the most iconic building in town,” he added, saying that those who see a picture of the building with the tree in front know it is part of Shepherdstown. “It is exciting for me to realize that what is so important about this building is its history. It was our library,” Gatz said, adding that people have memories of the important place.

Gavin Bates spoke about how much the project has meant to her as she had tears come to her eyes as she looked around the room. She specifically acknowledged the Asam family, Erwin and Carol as well as their sons, Christian and David and their families for all they have given to bring the project to fruition. The senior Asam spoke briefly about coming to Shepherdstown in the early 1970s and making his home here.

He then presented Gavin Bates with a check for $10,000 to be used toward the CVB.

“We have the pleasure of being the only destination in this state that warrants not two but three welcome centers,” Gavin Bates said. “Jefferson County deserves that, because we’re Jefferson County and we’re the best.”