National Register of Historic Places listings in Fairfax County, Virginia facts for kids
Fairfax County, Virginia, is home to many amazing places that are part of the National Register of Historic Places. This special list includes buildings, areas, and sites that are important to the history of the United States. Think of it like a Hall of Fame for historic spots!
When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its unique history, architecture, or connection to important events. It helps protect these places so future generations can learn from them. In Fairfax County, there are 67 such places, and four of them are even more special, called National Historic Landmarks. Let's explore some of these cool historic sites!
Exploring Fairfax County's Historic Treasures
Fairfax County has many fascinating places that tell stories from the past. From old homes to important battlefields, these sites help us understand what life was like long ago.
Famous Landmarks
Some places are so important they are called National Historic Landmarks. Fairfax County has a few of these!
Gunston Hall
Located in Mason Neck, Gunston Hall is a grand old home built in the 1750s. It was the home of George Mason, one of America's Founding Fathers. He helped write the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which was a big influence on the U.S. Bill of Rights. This house is a great example of colonial architecture.
Mount Vernon
Just south of Alexandria, you'll find Mount Vernon, the famous home of George Washington. He was the first President of the United States. This beautiful estate sits right by the Potomac River. You can visit his house, gardens, and even his tomb. It's a very popular place to learn about early American history.
Woodlawn Plantation
Close to Mount Vernon is Woodlawn Plantation. This estate was originally part of George Washington's land. He gave it to his adopted daughter, Nelly Custis Lewis, and her husband. The house was built in the early 1800s and is a wonderful example of Federal-style architecture. It's also known for its beautiful gardens.
Potomac Canal Historic District
East of Great Falls, you can find the Potomac Canal Historic District. This area includes the remains of the Patowmack Canal. George Washington himself started this project! The canal was built to help boats travel around the Great Falls of the Potomac River. It was an early attempt to connect the western lands with the East Coast.
Historic Buildings and Sites
Beyond the big landmarks, many other buildings and areas in Fairfax County have important stories.
Belvoir Mansion Ruins and the Fairfax Grave
At Fort Belvoir, you can see the ruins of Belvoir Mansion. This was once a grand plantation home built in the 1740s. It belonged to the Fairfax family, who were very powerful in colonial Virginia. The house was destroyed by fire in the late 1700s, but its remains still tell a story of early American life.
Colvin Run Mill
South of Great Falls, you can visit Colvin Run Mill. This is a historic gristmill that was built around 1810. A gristmill uses water power to grind grain into flour. Today, it's a working museum where you can see how flour was made long ago. It's a fun place to learn about old technology.
Dranesville Tavern
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The Dranesville Tavern is a very old building that served as a stopping point for travelers. Built in the early 1800s, taverns like this were important places for people to rest, eat, and get news while traveling. It's a reminder of how people traveled before cars and highways.
Freeman Store
In Vienna, the Freeman Store stands as a piece of local history. This building was once a general store, selling all sorts of goods to the community. It also served as the town's post office and a meeting place. It shows how important local stores were in the past.
Frying Pan Meetinghouse
The Frying Pan Meetinghouse in Floris is a historic church built in 1791. It's a simple, traditional building that was used by different religious groups. It represents the early days of community and worship in the area.
Herndon Depot
The Herndon Depot is a former train station in Herndon. Built in 1857, it was a vital part of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. Train stations were hubs of activity, bringing people and goods to towns. Today, it's a museum where you can learn about the history of railroads.
Pohick Church
In Lorton, you'll find Pohick Church, a beautiful colonial church built between 1769 and 1774. Both George Washington and George Mason were members of this church. It's a significant example of colonial architecture and religious life.
Pope-Leighey House
The Pope-Leighey House is a very special home designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Built in 1940, it's an example of his "Usonian" style, which focused on simple, affordable, and beautiful homes. It's a great place to see modern architecture from the mid-20th century.
Sully Historic Site
In Chantilly, the Sully Historic Site is another important old home. It was built in 1794 by Richard Bland Lee, the first Congressman from Northern Virginia. The house and its surrounding buildings show what a working farm was like in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
Sydenstricker School
The Sydenstricker School in Springfield is a historic one-room schoolhouse. Built in 1928, it served the local community for many years. One-room schools were common in the past, where all ages learned together in a single classroom. It's a great example of early education in rural areas.
George Washington's Gristmill
Near Lorton, you can visit George Washington's Gristmill. This mill was rebuilt based on Washington's original mill from the 1770s. Like Colvin Run Mill, it shows how grain was processed into flour using water power. It's another connection to the life and work of America's first president.
Historic Districts
Some historic listings aren't just one building, but a whole area or district.
Clifton Historic District
The Clifton Historic District covers a large part of the town of Clifton. This district is special because it has many buildings that show what a small railroad town looked like in the 19th century. Walking through Clifton feels like stepping back in time.
D.C. Workhouse and Reformatory Historic District
In Lorton, the D.C. Workhouse and Reformatory Historic District includes buildings from a former prison complex. While it sounds serious, the architecture and layout of these buildings are historically significant. They show how prisons and reformatories were designed in the early 20th century.
Fort Hunt Park
Fort Hunt Park in Alexandria was once a military fort. It played roles in both the Spanish-American War and World War II. During WWII, it was a secret intelligence site. Today, it's a park where you can explore old batteries and learn about its military past.
George Washington Memorial Parkway
The George Washington Memorial Parkway is more than just a road; it's a historic district itself! This scenic parkway runs along the Potomac River. It was designed to be a beautiful drive, connecting many historic sites, including Mount Vernon. It's a great example of early 20th-century landscape design.
Great Falls Park Historic District
The Great Falls Park Historic District includes the stunning Great Falls of the Potomac River. This area is not only naturally beautiful but also historically important. It was a key site for the Patowmack Canal and has been a popular spot for recreation for centuries.
Herndon Historic District
The Herndon Historic District covers the older parts of the town of Herndon. It includes many homes and buildings that show the town's growth from a small farming community to a railroad town. It's a great place to see different architectural styles from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Hollin Hills Historic District
Hollin Hills Historic District in Alexandria is special for its mid-20th century modern homes. Built in the late 1940s and 1950s, these houses have unique designs that blend with nature. It's a great example of modern architecture and community planning from that time.
Holmes Run Acres Historic District
Similar to Hollin Hills, the Holmes Run Acres Historic District in Falls Church features more mid-20th century modern homes. These houses were designed to be affordable and functional, with open layouts and large windows. It shows a different style of suburban development after World War II.
Langley Fork Historic District
The Langley Fork Historic District is located at an important intersection in Langley. This area has been a crossroads for centuries, with historic homes and buildings that reflect its long history as a transportation hub.
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Part of the Manassas National Battlefield Park extends into Fairfax County. This park preserves the sites of two major Civil War battles: the First and Second Battles of Manassas (also known as Bull Run). It's a very important place for understanding the American Civil War.
Tauxemont Historic District
The Tauxemont Historic District in Alexandria is another example of a planned community from the mid-20th century. It features homes built in a traditional style, but with modern conveniences. It shows how communities were designed to create a pleasant living environment.
Former Listing
Sometimes, a historic place might be removed from the list. This happened with one property in Fairfax County.
Moorefield
Moorefield was a historic property in Vienna. It was listed on the National Register in 1978 but was later removed in 2005 because the building was dismantled in 2003. This shows that historic places need to be preserved to stay on the list.
Images for kids
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The "A" Fort and Battery Hill Redoubt.
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Bloomfield, a historic home.
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The A. Smith Bowman Distillery.
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Cornwell Farm.
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Fairfax Arms.
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Kidwell Farm, part of the Floris Historic District.
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Four Stairs, a historic home.
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Georgetown Pike.
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Great Falls Grange Hall and Forestville School.
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Green Spring Gardens Park.
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The John Gunnell House.
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The William Gunnell House.
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Hope Park Mill and Miller's House.
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Huntley Plantation House.
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Merrybrook, a historic home.
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A trail along the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway.
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Northwest No. 3 Boundary Marker.
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Oak Hill in Annandale.
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Oakton Trolley Station.
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Orange and Alexandria Railroad Bridge Piers.
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St. Mary's Church.
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Salona, a historic estate.
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Silverbrook Methodist Church.
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Southwest No. 6 Boundary Marker.
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Southwest No. 7 Boundary Marker.
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Southwest No. 8 Boundary Marker.
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Spring Hill Farm.
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Sydenstricker School.
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Taft Archeological Site.
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Tower House.
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Vale School-Community House.
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West Cornerstone.
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Woodlawn Quaker Meetinghouse.
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