Published: December 03, 2008 10:11 pm      

Let’s put Washington’s Headquarters on Internet

I was happy to see the article about Cumberland receiving a grant to preserve and protect George Washington’s Headquarters at Riverside Park. It is always refreshing to see some good news amid the pages of bad news.

George Washington’s Headquarters is one of my favorite places to visit in the city.

Our family did not reside in the area during the French and Indian War, but our direct descendent, Thomas Athey, served under General Washington in Col. William Grayson’s Regiment, Continental Line, during the American Revolution.

He served over two years until discharged at Middlebrook, New Jersey due to an injury. After the war, Thomas received a land grant in Hampshire County, Va. (now West Virginia). This is how our family first came to settle in this area.

I would urge the DAR and the city of Cumberland to soon set up a virtual tour of Washington’s Headquarters on the Internet. This would undoubtedly attract more tourists. After all, Washington truly did sleep here.

David Earl Athey

Cumberland