Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

It's home. What can I say? Quite a lot, actually.

A couple of years ago I was introduced to a brand manager who, when told that MarketLab and I are based in Harpers Ferry, WV, replied honestly, if somewhat tersely, "Why?" Awakened to the fact that the magic of living in West Virginia isn't immediately evident to everyone I thought I should explain.

Harpers Ferry is nestled on the western slope of the Blue Ridge at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. It's a tiny place with a population of only 421 (or 423 depending on whether you read this before or after Sara Wigham has her twins). But, there's a lot to like.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
www.nps.gov/hafe/home.htm
Harpers Ferry was the site of the abolitionist John Brown's famous raid on the federal armory that helped propel us into Civil War. The downtown is preserved as it was in 1859 and offers many exhibits and tours.

The Appalachian Trail and Headquarters
www.appalachiantrail.org
Harpers Ferry can only claim two headquarters, MarketLab's and The Appalachian Trail, which, by the way, happens to go right through town.

Whitewater Kayaking & Rafting
www.riverriders.com
Aside from fishing, the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers aren't used for much else these days.

Numerous Civil War Sites
www.civilwar-va.com/treks/index.html
Harpers Ferry changed hands 8 times during the Civil War and hosted Lincoln, Lee, and Stonewall Jackson. In fact, we changed hands so regularly we had both Union and Confederate Post Offices. Antietam, the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, is only 15 miles away. Gettysburg and Manassas are both within 90 minutes.

The Niagara Movement (forerunner of the NAACP)
www.nps.gov/hafe/niagara/history.htm
The Niagara Movement's first meeting on American soil, organized by W. E. B. DuBois, was held in Harpers Ferry at Storer College, one of the first schools dedicated to educating former slaves.

The Contemporary American Theater Festival
www.catf.org
OK, I admit it. The CATF is twelve miles up the road in Shepherdstown, but cut me some slack. After all, New York claims the Statue of Liberty even though it's really in NEW JERSEY and no one seems to care. Anyway, the CATF is one of the foremost new play festivals never to have produced a play by Sean O'Leary (more about that at, www.olearyonstage.com). Nevertheless, a few wannabes with names such as Blessing and Shepherd manage to get their new plays done there.

Washington, DC
www.washington.org
It's only sixty miles down the road ... really. We even have commuter rail service into and out of the District.