Request For Expressions of Interest for Cook Hall Harpers Ferry, WV

Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI)

This RFEI seeks expressions of interest from various entities for the possible lease of Cook Hall, a historic facility located at 252 McDowell Street, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, within the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. This is not a formal offering for award, and responses should not imply any preference for future solicitations. The National Park Service (NPS) reserves the right to use submitted ideas and to modify or withdraw the RFEI.

• Building: Cook Hall, a historic structure built in 1939-1940.
• Size: 9,970 square feet across 3 levels (Boiler Room, Basement, First Floor, Second Floor).
• Layout: Includes 30 rooms, a kitchen, storage space, laundry room, two meeting rooms, and office space.
• Parking: Two parking lots available (6 spaces on the south side, approximately 20 spaces at the rear of Shipley School).
• Location: Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers.

Potential uses include, but are not limited to:

• Hostel / Hotel

• Office Space

• Services, Activities, and Associated Retail

• Educational Activities

• Environmental Activities

• Training Center

• Uses compatible with the park's programs and purposes.

• Submission Deadline: August 30, 2026, 4 PM ET.

• Format: Electronic submission required.

• Content: Cover letter, detailed description of proposed use and improvements, proposed land assignment map, financial/business/management strategy, vision/concept details, and information on use of building/open areas.

• Evaluation: NPS will negotiate lease terms based on a return on investment for proposed modifications or uses. Respondents should consider financial structure, business strategy, partnerships, and capacity.

• Dates: May and June 2026.

• RSVP: Required two business days prior to the visit via email to NPSNCRLeasing@nps.gov.

• All costs associated with responding are the respondent's responsibility.

• Materials submitted will not be returned.

• Any proposed use must not degrade park resources, be compatible with NPS programs, be consistent with park purposes, and ensure preservation of the historic property.

• Proposed uses must provide for fair market value rent to the NPS.

• Responses are subject to public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an addendum to the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) record for Cook Hall (HABS No. WV-277-E). It provides additional information and context related to the building's history, construction, and significance.

• Addendum to Cook Hall Record: This document supplements the existing HABS record.
• Photographs, Written Historical and Descriptive Data, Reduced Copies of Measured Drawings, Field Records: These are the types of information contained within the HABS documentation.
• Historical Context: Details the construction of Cook Hall between 1939-40, its significance as the last new building on the Storer College campus, its architectural style (Colonial Revival), and its reuse by the National Park Service.
• Physical History: Includes information on the architect, construction timeline, and materials used (local gray-green stone).
• Ownership and Occupancy: Details the transfer of the property to the government and its subsequent use by the National Park Service.
• Builders, Contractors, Suppliers: Lists various individuals and companies involved in the construction.
• Benefactors: Identifies key donors and organizations that funded the construction.
• Design and Construction: Discusses the planning, design considerations, and construction process, including challenges and key figures involved.
• Architectural Information: Describes the building's character, condition, exterior, and interior features.
• Sources of Information: Lists the primary and secondary sources used to compile the report.

While this document is not a solicitation, it provides detailed historical and architectural information about a specific building. If the opportunity relates to the preservation, restoration, or study of historic buildings, particularly those managed by the National Park Service or located in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, this document could offer valuable context regarding building materials, construction methods, historical significance, and previous renovation efforts.