Tag: history
Fairfax County honors local heroes during Black History Month
Fairfax County honors local heroes of the African American community during Black History Month. A commemorative banner in honor of Dr. Edwin Bancroft Henderson is on display at the Providence Rec Center, and six new historic markers relating to Black history have been approved for installation around the county. Henderson (1883-1977), led the fight against … Continued
Historic Overlay District fails to gain sufficient community support
A proposal to create a Historic Overlay District in Holmes Run Acres will not go forward following a poll that found insufficient support. According to the poll results, 52.5 percent of homeowners opposed an HOD, and 45 percent supported it. Mason Supervisor Penny Gross said she will introduce a board matter before the Board of … Continued
Oak Hill Day offers a history lesson
For the first time since before the Covid pandemic, the community got a chance to explore Oak Hill in person. The Oak Hill property in Annandale is the last remaining remnant of the 24,000-acre Ravensworth Tract granted to William Fitzhugh in 1685. On Oak Hill Day, on Sept. 17, local residents toured the first floor … Continued
Explore a Park: Ossian Hall Park
This article is part of our series on parks in the Annandale/Mason District area. See other stories in the series in the Parks tab. Ossian Hall Park, located at 7900 Heritage Drive next to Annandale High School, offers sports fields for AHS athletes and the community, free outdoor concerts in the summer, and playgrounds for … Continued
Road name changes move forward
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 13 voted to officially request the Commonwealth Transportation Board to rename Lee Highway Route 29 and to rename Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway Route 50. That decision follows a recommendation from the Confederate Names Task Force. “If approved by the CTB,” board chair Jeffrey McKay said, “this change will … Continued
Let’s preserve the unique character of Holmes Run Acres
By Edith MacArthur Put a lot of people in a bunch of houses and do you get a community? Maybe, but it is unlikely to be the kind of community that Holmes Run Acres (HRA) has been for 65 years: a place with a rich architectural history and a lot of natural beauty. Building parameters … Continued
Oak Hill Day will be in-person
For the first time since the start of the Covid pandemic, historic Oak Hill will host an in-person open house.The 2022 Oak Hill Day will be held Sept. 17, noon-4 p.m., at the historic property in Annandale. Visitors can park at the Nancy Sprague Technology Center, 4414 Holborn Ave., Annandale, and take a free shuttle … Continued
Lake Accotink celebrates 60th anniversary
The Fairfax County Park Authority hosted a 60th-anniversary celebration of Lake Accotink Park Aug. 27. There were remarks by public officials, informational tables hosted by county agencies and nonprofit organizations, free activities, food trucks, and a cake. In 1960, the Park Authority leased 242 acres from the federal government to create the park. There were … Continued
Historic Overlay District proposed for Holmes Run Acres
Holmes Run Acres residents appear to be divided on whether their community should have a Historic Overlay District (HOD). How residents stand on the issue won’t be known until October when the results of a poll will be announced. The poll opened Aug. 1 and will close Sept. 9. Supporters say an HOD will prevent … Continued
Lee District to be renamed Franconia
Fairfax County Supervisor Rodney Lusk (Lee District) urged the Board of Supervisors to begin the process to change the name of his district to Franconia. “Over the last two and a half years, my office has held three town hall meetings to hear directly from the community on what the name Lee District means to … Continued
Broyhill Crest celebrates 70th anniversary
The Broyhill Crest neighborhood is 70 years old this year. Residents and former residents are invited to an anniversary celebration July 4, 12-4 p.m., at the Broyhill Crest Recreation Club. The Broyhill Crest Community Association is planning live entertainment, children’s activities, a showcase of local businesses, a raffle, and giveaways. Anyone who would like to … Continued
New historic marker honors Vietnamese immigrants
A new historic marker unveiled May 24 on Wilson Boulevard in front of the Eden Center honors Vietnamese immigrants as an important part of Northern Virginia history. The marker was approved by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in 2021. Nomination for the historic marker was made by two students – eighth-grader Oliver Hardi and … Continued
Mason District not likely to be renamed
The Fairfax County Redistricting Advisory Committee is not expected to recommend that the name “Mason District” be changed. According to the RAC’s draft report, the Mason and Mount Vernon Subcommittee agreed neither district be renamed. The RAC is scheduled to present its recommendations to the Board of Supervisors by March 1. The BoS will make … Continued
Alternative names proposed for Lee Highway
The Confederate Names Task Force has recommended renaming Lee Highway and Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway and presented several possible alternatives to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Feb. 8. For Lee Highway (Route 29), the task force recommended these new names:• Cardinal Highway• Route/Highway 29• Langston Boulevard/Highway• Lincoln-Douglass Highway• Fairfax Boulevard/Highway For Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway (Route … Continued
Historic marker project engages students
The Historical Marker Project, launched by the Fairfax County School Board and Board of Supervisors earlier this month, is aimed at encouraging students to bring attention to the accomplishments of lesser-known people and communities. The project will initially focus on the county’s Black/African American communities and will expand to other underrepresented stories in the coming … Continued