Shepherdstown's Literary Tradition Faces Setback Amid Funding Cuts
Federal funding cuts halts 17-year-old tradition in West Virginia
The Journal | Thursday, September 25, 2025
The Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence Project, celebrated for 17 years in Shepherdstown, has published its first anthology, showcasing the creative talents of local writers. Under the direction of Sylvia Shurbutt and writer Adriana Trigiani, this initiative has highlighted amateur authors from towns like Charles Town and Ranson. However, funding cuts now force the project to take a hiatus, as announced by current director Benjamin Bankhurst, signaling a setback for the region's literary community.
