Chronicle Photo by Kelly Cambrel Historian Jim Price gave presentation at Canterbury Center's 250 "Birthday party" Tuesday. Price told the story of Shepherdstown's founding through a series of photographs and maps.

The Canterbury Center celebrated Shepherdstown’s 250 anniversary with a birthday party featuring Shepherdstown historian Jim Price.

The event which was held Tuesday, May 8 in the Canterbury Center’s dining room, featured more than hour’s worth of history and laughs.

Price, long known for his storytelling, led the packed room through the details of Shepherdstown’s earliest settling and official chartering.

In a presentation titled “My My My, How Shepherdstown has Changed,” Price described The town’s evolution from a settlement of poor workmen to its present day affluence.

“One of the ways it has changed is that the town is now very affluent. Shepherdstown was not settled by affluent people. They were scallywags,” he said.

As Price explained, Shepherdstown, which was originally named Mecklenburg after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg, didn’t begin to yet resemble the place we call home until late after the Civil War.

“Measured in roots and chains and tree stumps and saplings,” Price described Thomas Shepherd’s original land grant and its growth across Jefferson County.

Through a series of historic photographs and maps, Price painted a picture of Shepherdstown as it was originally settled, as he knew it in his youth, and as it is today.

Price showed particular reverence for Shepherdstown’s natural historic features.

He said of Town Run , “It is a beautiful sight… We should glorify it and remember that the Run has never run over, and has never run dry.”

Kim Bowman, senior admissions director for the Canterbury Center, expressed her gratitude that Price acted as their official presenter.

“Dr. Price is a great historian. We’re just happy we had a large turnout to the celebration,” she said.

Monica Lockett, administrator at the Canterbury Center said that she asked Price to present after attending one of his many lectures with the Shepherdstown Rotary Club, of which Price is a founding member.

Lockett, who said she always learns something from Price’s lectures, thought a presentation on the town’s founding was a perfect way to celebrate the town’s anniversary.

“It’s just interesting when you ‘re walking through town to see the old library and (learn) what was 100 years ago, she said.

“That’s always interesting to me.”

Lockett said she was glad the Canterbury Center, which is just outside of Shepherdstown along Route 45, could be a part of the town’s official 250 commemoration.

“Because we’re a member of the community, we wanted to come up with a way to participate,” she said.

” I think it went very well.”