The Path Between Two Worlds: The Life of Josephine Williams
Schedule
Sat, 18 Jul, 2026 at 01:30 pm
UTC-04:00Location
151 Clermont Lane, Berryville, VA, United States, Virginia 22611 | Berryville, VA
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1:30–3 p.m. • Saturday, July 18Part Two of the Summer Series: The Ties That Bind – Women Who Bridged Two Worlds
Presented by the Clermont Foundation & the Josephine School Community Museum
This second program in our shared three-part series turns to one of the most profound stories connecting Clermont and Josephine City: the intertwined lives of farm owner Ellen Jett McCormick and Josephine, the enslaved woman whose journey from bondage to landownership helped establish a thriving Black community in Clarke County.
About the Program
The afternoon begins at 1:30 p.m. at Clermont Farm (151 Clermont Lane, Berryville). Afterward, visitors will make the short 1.5‑mile drive to the Josephine School Community Museum (303 Josephine St., Berryville).
At Clermont
We look closely at the life of Ellen Jett McCormick, who inherited Clermont and adjoining properties following her husband’s death in 1870. During this time, she also held Josephine and other African Americans in enslavement.
As financial pressures mounted, Ellen was compelled to sell parcels of land — a moment that opened a path for transformation. Josephine, now a free woman, negotiated the purchase of property that became the foundation for a new Black community, later known as Josephine City.
At the Josephine School Community Museum
The program continues with a deeper exploration of Josephine’s life after emancipation — her negotiations, her leadership, and her enduring role in shaping a free and resilient community. Her story is one of determination, agency, and the creation of a place where families could build new futures.
Tickets
$10 per adult
FREE for students (18 and under) and seniors (65+)
Tickets may be purchased at Clermont Farm or through our Ticket Link..
Guests attending all three programs may purchase a series ticket for $25 (a $5 savings).
This program is presented in partnership with VA250, Virginia’s participation in the national commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Learn more at: https://va250.org
Contact Information
Clermont: (540) 955‑0102 • [email protected]
Josephine School Community Museum: (540) 955‑5512 • [email protected]
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Where is it happening?
151 Clermont Lane, Berryville, VA, United States, Virginia 22611Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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