Tag: history
The past comes alive at Fairfax County’s 275th birthday celebration
Fairfax County celebrated its 275th birthday in style June 17 at the Historic Courthouse in Fairfax with many costumed re-enactors, live music, storytellers, crafts, and living history exhibits. Members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment stationed at Ft. Myer in Arlington appear as soldiers of the Continental Army in 1776. Re-enactors portray the 17th Virginia … Continued
Neighborhood History Project seeks photos and stories from the past
The organizers of Fairfax County’s commemoration of its 275th anniversary this year have launched the Neighborhood History Project to collect information about the founding of local communities, civic associations, and neighborhoods. When Fairfax County was created in 1742, the mostly rural population was about 4,125. Today, more than 1.1 million people live in this urban … Continued
Historic Oak Hill is on the market
Oak Hill, the oldest and most historically significant house in Annandale, is on the market for $1.55 million. The listing, by Christie’s International Real Estate, says the Georgian-style house, at 4716 Wakefield Chapel Road has six bedrooms, five and a-half bathrooms, a modern kitchen, and a private apartment over a two-car garage. The 2.6-acre property … Continued
African American women of the past appear at Annandale library
From the left: Patricia Tyson, Bobbie Coles, Cavon Dixon, Jeremiah Brown, Carol Gordon, and Judy Williams. Frances Ann Rollin was a writer who scored an early civil rights victory. Hallie Quinn Brown was a leader in education and women’s rights. Elizabeth Taylor was an accomplished singer, and Hattie was a slave who lived in obscurity. … Continued
Fairfax County celebrates 275th anniversary
A photo taken in the 1890s or early 1900s of a store in the West End of Alexandria run by Thomas Terrett Jr., who also had a grocery store and post office in Bailey’s Crossroads. The West End was part of Fairfax County until 1952. 2017 marks the 275th anniversary of Fairfax County. There will … Continued
New historic marker commemorates a vanished black community
Descendants of the families who created The Pines.  Families in the small African-American community in Annandale called The Pines tended their gardens, fished in a pond, had sleigh rides, went to church, sang together, and enjoyed Sunday dinners of baked chicken, greens, mashed potatoes, ice cream, and four-layer cake.   “It was a … Continued
Process for exploring Stuart name change delayed
Stuart High School Opponents of changing the name of JEB Stuart High School are spreading misleading information about the cost of a consultant to facilitate a working group authorized by the Fairfax County School Board to develop recommendations on a name change. The school board passed a resolution July 29 calling for the establishment of … Continued
Working group proposed to study Stuart High School name change
School board member Sandy Evans (Mason) plans to ask the board to create a working group to consider changing the name of JEB Stuart High School and report back with a recommendation by July 2017. “After reading historical documents and arguments on both sides, considering all the community input to date, and discussing this with … Continued
Improvements to White Gardens to start this summer
The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is starting work this summer on improvements to the John C. & Margaret K. White Gardens, a 13-acre park in Falls Church between Annandale Road and Sleepy Hollow Road. The Whites had cultivated rhododendrons and azaleas on the property, which they purchased in 1939. After John died, Margaret sold … Continued
New Master Plan approved for Green Spring Gardens
One of the ponds at Green Spring Gardens. A revised Master Plan for Green Spring Gardens calls for a potential expansion of the Horticulture Center, an outdoor classroom, a greater focus on historic preservation, and improved pedestrian and bicycle access. The new plan, approved by the Park Authority Board in April, serves as a guide … Continued
Stuart community discusses pros and cons of changing high school’s name
School board member Sandy Evans speaks at a community meeting at Stuart High School. Members of the Stuart High School community filled the school’s cafeteria Monday night to talk about whether Stuart should be renamed. This was the first step in a process initiated by the Fairfax County School Board in a community engagement process … Continued
Community engagement process under way on renaming Stuart HS
At student rally urging a name change for Stuart High School. The Fairfax County School Board has begun the process to consider whether the community wants to change the name of JEB Stuart High School. Over the past year or so, current and past Stuart students and local residents have been urging the school to … Continued
U.S. military aviation got its start near Seven Corners
Taylor’s Tavern [Library of Congress] By Mark Kawar, editor of the West of Falls Church blog. This article is part of that blog’s series on local history. When you think of Seven Corners, do you think of traffic jams? Strip centers? Redevelopment plans? What about the history of military aviation? In a roundabout way, the U.S. … Continued
School board is considering a new policy on changing school names
Stuart logo The Fairfax County School Board will vote on a resolution Dec. 17 to change its policy on school names. It doesn’t refer to efforts to rename JEB Stuart High School – or any other school building – but it does clear the way for those who want to pursue that change. The current … Continued
Craft bazaar, historic church tour this Saturday
Come to Annandale United Methodist Church Saturday, Nov. 7, to get some holiday shopping done and learn about local history. The annual craft bazaar, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., will have more than 35 vendors in the main church building, at 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale. There will be a variety of crafters and artisans, baked goods, and … Continued