History of the Inn-Keeper

Born in 1949, Karan Townsend has devoted her life to God, family, community, career...

EDUCATION & WORK: Karan's doctorate degree is in education (curriculum and instruction), with post-graduate studies in law, real estate, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Her experience ranges from raising three wonderful children in Texas to serving as Director of Research and Development at the English Training Center of New Horizons (a computer training company) in Kuwait and Director of English Studies at Salzburg International Preparatory School in Austria. In 1997, she purchased a home on Capitol Hill and has been employed as an ESOL professor at Northern Virginia Community College and Oakwood English Language Institute (a private school that has had a twenty-year contract with the Saudi Arabian Embassy to provide English instruction to Saudis in Washington, DC). Her primary interests have been teaching English to internationals, teaching remedial English to Americans, and teaching business English in both academic and "on-the-job" situations.

LOCAL LIFE IN HARPERS FERRY: Karan moved to Harpers Ferry on 21 February 2007 to establish the Town's Inn in a historical house (circa 1840) that her son and his wife bought. She savors life in Harpers Ferry and enjoys participating as a member of many organizations, including the Fellowship Bible Church, Harpers Ferry Planning Commission, Harpers Ferry Historic Town Foundation, Harpers Ferry Historical Society, Harpers Ferry Merchants Association, Harpers Ferry Woman's Club, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, Jefferson County Historical Society, Appalachian Trail Conversancy, Washington Area Bicyclists Association, American Hiking Society, and more. You are welcome to accompany her to local events --- from church services to Foundation meetings --- if you want a "taste" of local life in historical Harpers Ferry. You are also invited to join Karan on her weekly walks to Maryland Heights (2-3 hour hike) and along the C&O Canal trail.

CONNECTIONS TO DC & BEYOND: With Washington, DC only 60 miles away, Karan makes weekly Wednesday trips to visit her son, his wife, and children on Capitol Hill and to attend Bible study at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, as well as to manage the family home (located a couple of blocks from the US Capitol), which is now a lovely rooming house. Karan continues to work in DC (as well as locally and around the world!) as a consultant (English, program development, teacher education) and volunteer reaching out to internationals and others to provide educational services.  

 



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Current Specials

• A 50% mid-week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) military discount for men and women on active duty.

• A free night after 6 nights at full cost within a period of 6 months.

• Special weekend and weekday packages that include lodging, meals, local transportation, and activities.

• Special packages for special events (retreats, reunions, weddings and other celebrations) that include lodging, food/beverages, entertainment, and other aspects of hospitality.

• Special packages for special interests (wineries, history, shopping of all kinds from outlets to flea markets, hiking, bicycling, river sports, murder mysteries, ghost tours, and more).

• Special packages for special groups (scouts, church groups, children, teens, seniors, hikers, bicyclists, musicians, internationals...).



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