We’ve Reached a Huge Milestone!

First Zion Phase 1 Complete!

We are excited for you to see how great First Zion looks at the culmination of Phase 1 exterior preservation! Most of this work was funded by a $100,000 grant from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a program from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We are planning a traditional whitewash on the rubble stone foundation and have a beautiful new ground-level entry door which will be installed soon.

A GIFT TO OUR COMMUNITIES: A HISTORIC PROPERTY TO BE PROUD OF

When the Foundation purchased First Zion Baptist Church in 2017, it was in a sad state of deterioration after sitting empty for more than a decade. Now the building looks as good as new (or better) anchoring the western section of the Harpers Ferry Historic District. It has been transformed from an eyesore into a gemstone, reflecting its historical significance in the community and increasing the attractiveness of the West Ridge Street neighborhood.

The Foundation proudly presents this work as a gift to the residents of Harpers Ferry and Bolivar, accomplished through the volunteer efforts of residents from both towns and the surrounding county neighborhoods.

Since 2017, the Foundation has spent a cumulative total of $362,500 on First Zion preservation and restoration from the following sources.

This spring the Foundation has asked Harpers Ferry to partner with us in the next stage of work as we move to the interior. The Town has stepped up with significantly more generous budget allocations for both fiscal year 2026 and 2027. We are extremely grateful, as this funding will ensure we have resources to move forward on Phase 2.

THERE’S MORE TO THIS GIFT: A COMMUNITY CENTER+

Ultimately, First Zion will be more than just another pretty façade. It will be rehabilitated into a community center bringing together Harpers Ferry and Bolivar with beautiful space for acoustic musical performances, lectures, classes, dinners, and more. We will be working hard to attract the financial resources required to achieve this goal.

PHASE 2

For now, we are moving ahead with Phase 2 of the project. In this next project stage, we will move indoors to the basement, which we will renovate as an exhibit and meeting space. This way, we can utilize part of the building while work is completed in the upstairs main hall. We have already gutted the space and demolished sections of uneven concrete flooring. After obtaining a structural engineering design for support columns, work will proceed to lay sewer lines, pour concrete flooring, then frame in walls around the periphery for restrooms, the catering kitchen, and storage/mechanical rooms.

OUR GRATITUDE

Thank you to everyone who has contributed in some way to the work at First Zion.  If you haven’t submitted your annual membership for 2026, it’s not too late!  All memberships and donations this year up to $25,000 will be matched by an anonymous donor, so anything you contribute in 2026 will have double the impact!  Learn more here: https://historicharpersferry.org/get-involved/join/

FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEMBERS MEETING

Join us at the Appalachian Snail on Washington Street on April 21 at 6 PM to meet some of the people who help preserve and promote the towns we love, review some of our accomplishments from the past year and get an early peek at activities we have planned to further our mission in 2026.  All are welcomed to attend!

There will be a short business meeting, during which we will nominate and vote on our board officers. We will also be presenting the Foundation’s 2026 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award and Excellence in New Construction to worthy new projects that have taken shape in our towns.

The keynote address by Tanya Gossett, superintendent of the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, will share news and updates from the park.

2^nd ANNUAL HARPERS FERRY WORLD FIDDLE DAY

You can also help us out by purchasing tickets for Harpers Ferry World Fiddle Day on May 16. Proceeds benefit the First Zion project. Another perk of your Foundation membership is that you get a $10 discount on the concert tickets.

Learn more at https://www.hf-worldfiddleday.com/. Click “Purchase Tickets” and at checkout, select “7pm Evening Concert VIP/Foundation Members/No Fees”

If you own a business, you can sponsor the event at the $100 or $200 and receive free tickets plus public recognition at the fiddle concert. A venue sponsor at the $500 level gets even more benefits! Respond to this email if you’re interested.

Last year’s concert was a big success, and we look forward to the day when it will be held in First Zion’s performance space.