Tag: history
David Scull, of Annandale, took civil rights advocacy to Supreme Court
David Scull, from the Scull Studios website David H. Scull (1914-1983), a civil rights advocate who lived in Annandale and stood up in support of integrating Virginia’s schools, has largely been forgotten. But that could change if the new Mason Crest Elementary School in Annandale could somehow find a way to honor Scull’s legacy. Craig … Continued
New signs explain Civil War events that happened near Annandale
A new sign in Mason District Park explains the significance of the area during the Civil War. Two interpretive signs were installed in the Annandale area June 20 to commemorate Civil War actions. A sign next to the parking lot in Mason District Park provides information about Mason’s Hill, a strategic location during the war, … Continued
Summer camps at the Clark House
For the first time, the Fairfax County Park Authority will be having summer camps at the historic Clark House. There will be five science and technology-focused sessions for school-age children. The Victorian-era farmhouse, at 6332 Barcroft Mews Drive and Columbia Pike, is used for occasional meetings and can be rented for weddings or other private … Continued
What should be in the Annandale museum?
We asked random Annandale residents this question: “If Annandale had a museum, what should be in it?” Here’s what people suggested: Mementos from the Annandale High School football team’s state championship wins [in 1965, 1967, 1972, 1978, 1993, and 1994]. The 2011 bed race A bed from the Annandale Chamber of Commerce’s annual bed race. … Continued
Oliver farmhouse on Gallows Road for sale for $1.65 million
The old Oliver farmhouse, on 4011 Gallows Rd., is on the market for $1.65 million, which raises the possibility the house could be torn down and replaced with infill development. The sales listing on the online site Home Finder says the property offers an “opportunity for up to four million dollar-plus homes.” The 1.54-acre property … Continued
Civil war skirmish took place in Annandale 150 years ago
A sketch of the Annandale skirmish from the Civil War Washington, D.C. blog. It was originally published in the Illustrated London News. Thanks to local resident and history enthusiast Steven Berkowitz for pointing out an important sesquicentennial: Friday, Dec. 2, was the 150th anniversary of the skirmish in Annandale, which took place between Union and … Continued
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