MARTINSBURG, W.Va., (November 12, 2025) -- The West Roundhouse, Martinsburg-Berkeley County's only National Historic Landmark, saw visitors from 34 U.S. States, Washington D.C. and 10 foreign states during the 2025 Season.

Special thanks is due to longtime volunteer and Berkeley County Roundhouse Authority (BCRA) board member, Elaine Mauck, for managing the docent program," said BCRA chair Matt Umstead

"Elaine has been instrumental in working with the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Convention & Visitors Bureau to allowing us to have the Roundhouse open for tours five days per week," Umstead said.

"We also are blessed to have had a talented group of docent/tour guides, who do a tremendous job telling the many chapters of history at our site."

Guests, if they desire, are escorted through a sprawling historic industrial complex, which is comprised of more 60,000 square feet of space across three buildings, including the West Roundhouse, the sole-surviving, cast-iron frame roundhouse in the world.

The historic railroad site is where the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 began. The first national labor action spread from Martinsburg to other cities across the U.S., resulting in violent and deadly clashes that resulted in multiple fatalities and the destruction of railroad property.

The original Baltimore and Ohio Railroad roundhouse and shops, which had been built at the same site were looted and destroyed by Confederate troops in two separate offensives in 1861 and 1862. At War's end, the B&O Railroad set about rebuilding maintenance operations, ultimately constructing two fully enclosed engine houses and two shop buildings at the site.

The East Roundhouse, a twin in architecture to the West Roundhouse, was destroyed by an arson fire in May 1990.

About the Berkeley County Roundhouse Authority: Formed in August 1999, the Berkeley County Roundhouse Authority is a tax-exempt, public corporation created by the Berkeley County Commission with a mission to preserving the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Martinsburg Shops as an experiential place for community engagement, culture, small business, history education and the Arts in Eastern West Virginia.

More information: Matt Umstead (Berkeley County Roundhouse Authority, at 304-260-4141 or roundhouse1866@gmail.com.