2026 Jefferson County Distinguished Citizens Dinner

Doug Perks is a native of Jefferson County, a graduate of Charles Town High School, received his bachelor's degree from West Virginia University, and his master's degree from James Madison University. After 30 years service he retired from Jefferson County Schools. Doug serves as Historian for the Elmwood Cemetery Association and is a Director of the Jefferson County Historical Society and the Historic Shepherdstown Commission, as well as a Trustee of the Old Charles Town Library. He recently retired as the Historian of the Jefferson County Museum. He is a frequent lecturer about his favorite topic-Jefferson County History. Doug is a contributing author to The Magazine of the Jefferson County Historical Society and for many years wrote the column "History Matters" for the Spirit of Jefferson. He co-wrote an updated history of New Street United Methodist Church in Shepherdstown. Doug has written both Rooted in Tradition, Growing Our Communities: A History of Bank of Charles Town and Preserving the Testimony of the Rocks: A History of Elmwood Cemetery. He has produced several brochures including the Walking Tour of Charles Washington's Town (2016), Visiting Elmwood Cemetery (2019), and Visiting Historic Edge Hill Cemetery (2023). In 2023 he published his first book, The Civil War Years in Jefferson County, Virginia. His second book, Charles Washington's Town, was published in 2025. He was named a West Virginia History Hero in 2017, and the next year received the Preservation and Conservation Award from the Two Rivers Giving Circle. In 2022 the Historic Shepherdstown Commission named Doug the Historian Laureate of Shepherdstown. Pack Horse Ford Chapter NSDAR presented him with the Community Service Award in 2025. He resides near Shepherdstown with his wife Cheri Carter Perks. Together they have 3 children and 3 grandchildren.

Distinguished Citizen Award Marquee Sponsor $5000
Helps support our week-long camp for underserved community youth
 

Honorary Eagle Scout $2500
Helps provide a full year of Cub Scouting for 2 low-income Cub Scout Packs
 

Honorary Life Scout $1250
Helps support the "Learning for Life Program" for 550 elementary-age youth
 

Honorary Star Scout $1000
Helps support one Cub Scout Pack registration for a year
 

Honorary First Class Scout $750
Helps send one youth to a week-long summer camp
 

       Honorary Tenderfoot Scout $500
Helps send one youth to a week-long summer camp 

Honorary Cub Scout $300
Helps support the "Special Needs Learning for Life Program" for 70 youth

Honorary Bobcat $125
  Helps support one Scout register with book for a year