Shepherdstown Heritage: The Role of Buckskin in Colonial Fashion
Reenactor talks significance of buckskin in West Virginia’s colonial history
The Shepherdstown Chronicle | Thursday, July 24, 2025
By Staff
In a talk at Morgan’s Grove Park, Colonial Williamsburg's Wilson LeCount discussed the historical significance of buckskin clothing in the 18th century, particularly in what is now Shepherdstown. He highlighted how colonial Virginians favored buckskin for its practicality and cost-effectiveness, especially as a symbol of American identity during the Revolutionary era. As tensions between the colonies and Britain grew, buckskin became a badge of patriotism—a material choice reflecting both resilience against British imports and a commitment to domestic manufacturing, which resonated with the local community's historical narrative of independence and self-sufficiency.
