McMurran Hall looms over the campus of Shepherd University at Shepherdstown. The building was constructed in 1859 as the town hall and courthouse and is now occupied by the Shepherd University Foundation, Alumni Relations and Advancement offices.

By HEATHER ZIEGLER Assistant City Editor Saturday mornings in the middle of summer are often reserved for some quality garage sale time for my mother, sister and me. So imagine our delight when, on a recent jaunt to Shepherdstown, W.Va., we learned that the whole town was planning a garage sale the day after we arrived! Even with the high heat and humidity, the idea of exploring this haven for the artsy-crafty folks who make up a significant portion of the 1,800 residents of the town was quite appealing. The garage sales were just the icing on the cake. All three of us brought home a few “treasures” from the sales but the town itself held the most fascination. The girls’ weekend was intended for a little sightseeing in the quaint, historic area of Shepherdstown and turned into a delightful, laid back time that included free musical entertainment, watching hula-hooping in the middle of West German Street and discussing the state of the world with a man who carried a parrot on his shoulder and a puppy on a leash. Shepherdstown is the oldest town in West Virginia. Situated in the Eastern Panhandle of the state, it sits along the Potamac River, presenting itself much like the days of its founding. Because of its abundance of natural springs, the town evolved, attracting a host of artisans ranging from millers to potters to brickmakers.