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Recently added to the collection: Photographs relating to the Viener family, local residents and entrepreneurs. ![]()
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Hyman and Rebecca Viener (pictured seated at center of the first photo, surrounded by their 8 sons) were both immigrants from Lithuania. Hyman got the idea of starting a scrapyard while living in Pennsylvania as a young man, but wanted to start a business in a place where there was more of a market for that type of enterprise. He initially intended on going further south, but in 1907 ended up settling in Charles Town, which had limestone quarries nearby and a market for a new scrapyard. Ads from the 1920s show that he specialized in "Junk of All Kinds, Hides, Furs and Paper Stock," but later transitioned to other types of "junk" including metals as well. ![]()
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His business expanded in scope and to multiple locations, including plants in Richmond, VA (pictured), Washington, DC, and Woodbine, MD. Yet Hyman and Rebecca chose to live in Charles Town in a house he built on George Street (pictured).![]()
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The Vieners were one of a handful of local Jewish families to operate businesses in Charles Town and Ranson, and participated in Jewish community life locally in Martinsburg and also in Baltimore and DC. The youngest of the Viener sons, Saul, went on to become a historian, active in the American Jewish Historical Society and founding president of the Southern Jewish Historical Society.
Less than two weeks left until our next event! Join historian Jim Silvia on a tour of Charles Town to learn more about some of the individuals who participated in John Brown's Raid. Pre-registration is required, and there are still a few spots left!