Newcomers to an Old Town: The Legacy of the “Back to the Land” movement in Berkeley Springs, WV

Berkeley Springs is known as “America’s First Spa;” a resort frequented by George Washington and Lord Fairfax. In the 1970s a number of “back to the land” newcomers moved into the area, making major investments in Berkeley Springs’ downtown businesses, tourism and arts economies. These newcomers have taken on leadership roles that have helped shape Berkeley Springs into the desirable tourist destination we know today. Last May a fire along the premier commercial street that borders Berkeley Springs State Park destroyed a major building and kept the street blocked for most of the summer. Some merchants describe it as the event that “killed the summer season.” The building’s owner, a retiree who was one of the original back to the landers, decided to sell the property rather than rebuild. While understandable, his decision has many in the community worried: will someone be able to buy the property and rebuild? As the back-to the landers prepare for retirement, there are broader questions about the next generation of community development and leadership. Most local residents don’t have the capital to buy properties that were bought and developed in the 70s. This presentation explores the legacy of the back to the land movement in Berkeley Springs and the relationships of newcomers and locals has evolved in the last forty years