Diana Suttenfield signs a copy of her new book, "Shepherdstown My Way," in Four Seasons Books on Saturday. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The soft launch of a new book by Shepherdstown artist Diana Suttenfield was held at Four Seasons Books on Saturday.

“Shepherdstown My Way: Creating Art in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia and Beyond” features over 300 color and black-and-white images in a scrapbook-like layout. Each image is paired with text explaining the history behind it, with it being either written for the book by the author or for a newspaper by a professional journalist.

“Art works, some antidotes, some history, humor, controversies and newspaper articles help to tell the story of Shepherdstown — Shepherdstown as I have come to know it, over the 50 years I have lived here,” Suttenfield, who was the 2017 recipient of the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, said.

Suttenfield first moved to the area in 1963, after her mother purchased a home along Morgan Grove Road. She spent some time studying art at Shepherd University, before moving to Baltimore, where she earned a bachelor’s degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She made her permanent return to the area in 1972, and has since found much inspiration for her art in the architecture and natural beauty of Jefferson County.

“Art has become a visual outlet for me to express my feelings for the history and the beauty of this place,” Suttenfield said. “In the beginning, I mostly used paint and pastels to depict the eye-catching architecture of many of the houses in the area. That later grew to include another kind of architecture — hay bales. They look magical when the sunlight hits them the right way.”

Diana Suttenfield answers questions about her art and her new book, "Shepherdstown My Way," in Four Seasons Books on Saturday. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

The book is the sixth that she has had published — this time, by Four Seasons Books — and the first with a focus on more than the images of her art. Its historical focus inspired its design, according to Suttenfield.

“The book is almost chronological, in how each page was laid out. It goes from 1962 to 2025,” Suttenfield said, mentioning the book also shares the history of local places she has come to believe to be of great significance, over her half-century in Shepherdstown.

One such place is the historical location of the start of the Beeline March — the county’s most notable contribution to the Revolutionary War, as it not only involved volunteer riflemen going to assist Gen. George Washington in Massachusetts, but also marked the beginning of the U.S. Army. Suttenfield said that, when she first moved to the area, it was well known and documented that the march began on the property of a now-private residence, located near Morgan’s Grove Park. Over the years, the history has been forgotten by many — something Suttenfield hopes her book will help correct.

Another place of significance featured in the book, is that of a Civil War battle that took place in Shepherdstown, unconnected to the well known Battle of Shepherdstown at Boteler’s Ford. This battle took place two years after the Battle of Shepherdstown, on Aug. 25, 1864.

“There was a huge battle in the area of Morgan’s Grove Park that day, from one to three o’clock. The Civil War soldiers documented it in a book. For whatever reason, its significance has been played down, yet it is the only battle from the war that is featured in the Atlas to Accompany the Offical Records of the Union and Confederate Armies 1861-1865,” Suttenfield said, positing the reason the 1862 battle has received more attention is due to its connection with the Battle of Antietam.

She noted that copies of the book can be purchased at Four Seasons Books, located at 116 West German Street in Shepherdstown.

“This is very different from anything I’ve done before, because I’m telling a larger story in this book,” Suttenfield said, mentioning the cover of the book was designed by a Shepherd University graphic design student, as part of a class competition for the best design featuring Shepherdstown’s connection to the Potomac River. “I’m hoping I’ve put enough history into the book to inspire people to learn more about the riverfront and local history.”