Press release
Commemorating and Preserving Local and Military History, APUS Donates 7,500 Books, War Journals, and Archives from Richard G. Trefry Library
Recipients Include Charles Town Public Library, Harpers Ferry Public Library, Jefferson County Historical Society, Jefferson County Museum, the U.S. Army
About this update from American Public Education, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Recipients Include Charles Town Public Library, Harpers Ferry Public Library, Jefferson County Historical Society, Jefferson County Museum, the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center, and the Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library\nCHARLES TOWN, W.Va., July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- American Public University System (APUS) is donating approximately 7,500 books, journals, artifacts, and archival collections to several non-profit organizations, signaling its strong ties to the local community and U.S. military. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \nThe University's charitable donations are supported by its Richard G. Trefry Library, formerly located at 330 North George Street. Though the physical library closed after the building's sale to the Jefferson County Commission, the University still operates a robust online library and online archives enabling 24/7 access to vital resources (the building sale was part of ongoing efforts to optimize the University's real-estate portfolio, considering its remote workforce).\nThe recipients include:\nCharles Town Public Library (approximately 300 audio books);Harpers Ferry Public Library (novels);Jefferson County Historical Society (historical records);Jefferson County Museum (artifacts and archival materials);The U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania (artifacts, journals, photographs, memos and letters from Richard G. Trefry Archives); andThe Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library at the Command & General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas (100 books).\"We're so grateful that these collections showing our rich history will be preserved and appreciated,\" said Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, APUS Provost. \"Thanks to the many local and military organizations who have stepped up, we have found good homes for so many significant books and artifacts.\"\nThe University's library included the Richard G. Trefry Archives which housed documents on the school's history and progress, plus a large manuscript collection detailing the career of the late U.S. Army Lieutenant General Richard G. Trefry, who served as a Board member with American Military University (AMU) and APUS for 22 years, up until 2017. His lengthy, distinguished military career spanned 40 years, from 1943 to 1983.\n\"I'm deeply grateful that my husband's papers and research have fou...