Tag: history
Ceremony marks sesquicentennial of Lincoln’s Grand Review
Hundreds of Civil War re-enactors, members of the military, and spectators commemorated the sesquicentennial of President Lincoln’s Grand Review of the Troops Saturday at Fort McNair in southeast Washington, D.C. The event, along with related activities last weekend, including a Grand Ball, history conference, concert, and history mobile—all in the Bailey’s Crossroads area—were sponsored by … Continued
Re-enactment commemorates Lincoln’s Grand Review in Bailey’s Crossroads
A re-enactment commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Grand Review of the Army of the Potomac will take place Saturday morning, Nov. 12, at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C., rather than in Bailey’s Crossroads as organizers of the event had initially planned. The re-enactment is sponsored by the Lincoln at the Crossroads Alliance (LATCRA) with … Continued
Garden Club will restore historic wall at Green Spring Gardens
The semicircular wall The Garden Club of Virginia has agreed to rebuild an old semi-circular stone wall behind the historic house at Green Spring Gardens, restore a boxwood hedge above the wall, and develop a plan for a garden in front of it. This work is a gift from the club to Green Springs Garden. … Continued
Annandale Family History Center offers lots of resources for researchers
If you are thinking about researching your family’s history, you might be surprised that there is an excellent collection of easily accessible genealogy resources right here in Annandale. The Annandale Family History Center in the Church of the Latter Day Saints, 3900 Howard St. (off Gallows Road) in Annandale, has over 1,000 books, an extensive … Continued
Former students have fond memories of Masonville Elementary
Masonville Elementary in 1974-75. Former Annandale resident Carol Morris Dukes has such fond memories of the long-gone Masonville Elementary School in Annandale, she created a Facebook group for alumni to share their memories. She believes it’s especially important to reconnect now that the building has been torn down. A new elementary school under construction on … Continued
Annandale park scene of Medieval battle
A small park along Holmes Run in Annandale was converted to a battlefield Saturday, as dozens of Medieval fighters from the Gwynedd, Knights Templar, Gestiguiste, and other units mixed it up with nonlethal swords and spears. A combatant from Stafford, Va., who goes by the name “Finn Wyndhaven,” says the battles have been taking place … Continued
Old farmhouse is link to Annandale’s rural past
Approaching Martha Grimsley’s Annandale house is like stepping into another world. The pre-Civil War farmhouse is completely surrounded by the Sleepy Hollow Woods subdivision. Martha, 83, says the original parts of the former farmhouse still in use are the kitchen, dining room, which still has the original hand-hewn ceiling beams, the loft, which is now … Continued
State Sen. Marsden has deep roots in Annandale
The Marsden farmhouse State Sen. Dave Marsden has deep roots in Annandale, having grown up here when the area was still dotted with farms. Marsden, a Democrat who represents the 37th District, will be campaigning for re-election this year for the first time in many Annandale neighborhoods. Due to redistricting, four precincts are switching from the … Continued
Civil War sesquicentennial commemorated with Mosby movie, lectures, re-enactments, and more
For those of you interested in commemorating this year’s sesquicentennial (that’s the 150th anniversary) of the Civil War, there are a series of events taking place throughout Fairfax County over the next few months. Next Sunday, June 19, a documentary film on Col. John S. Mosby’s combat operations in Fairfax County will take place at … Continued
Sal’s has been fixing shoes in Annandale since 1954
Nick Cirillo with a customer Shoe styles have changed over the decades, and so has Annandale, as businesses have come and gone, but Sal’s Shoe Repair has been at the same spot on Little River Turnpike since 1954. When John Cirillo opened Sal’s, Little River was a two-lane road, and Annandale was a sleepy little … Continued
Parliament Cleaners has served Annandale for more than four decades
The Parliament Cleaners, wedged between the Safeway and the Miso restaurant in the Little River Shopping Center might well be one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in Annandale. Parliament opened in 1968, and Connie Burnley has been the smiling face behind the counter since 1972 when her family purchased the business. Her son, James, … Continued
Concert, symposium next month focus on President Lincoln’s Grand Review
Planning is well under way for the Nov. 12, 2011 re-enactment of President Lincoln’s Grand Review in Bailey’s Crossroads, and several events associated with this commemoration will take place next month. The original Grand Review of the Army of the Potomac consisted of 70,000 soldiers divided into seven marching divisions. The sesquicentennial re-enactment, being organized … Continued
History commissioner brings life to suffragist hero
“Mr. President, how long must women wait for liberty?” These words were hung on banners at the gates of the White House as women marched to demand the right to vote in 1917. These words also began Lynne Garvey-Hodge’s re-enactment of suffragist Mrs. Robert Walker at a presentation at the home of Marie Reinsdorf in … Continued
Women invited to suffragist memorial benefit Nov. 21
Learn about the sacrifices and determination of women who fought for the right to vote – including the Night of Terror (Nov. 15, 1917) – while enjoying a lively suffragist re-enactment by Fairfax County History Commissioner Lynne Garvey-Hodge and an informal reception Nov. 21, 4-6 p.m. at a private home. Donations ($15 suggested) will support a … Continued
Oak Hill, Annandale’s oldest house, welcomes visitors one day a year
People lining for up for a peek inside The annual Open House at Oak Hill Saturday afternoon drew a mix of history buffs, curious neighbors, descendants of the Fitzhughs, and former residents to the oldest house in Annandale. Oak Hill, at 4716 Wakefield Chapel Road, was built in 1790 by Richard Fitzhugh, a great grandson … Continued