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Oakdale School House :: Lincoln, VA

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:06:55 +0000

The oldest school building in Loudoun County, the Oakdale School House is a charming symbol of Lincoln’s history. Built by the Quakers of Goose Creek in 1815, the schoolroom has been furnished and equipped with everything from school benches to slates to the books that were used in the year 1818. Most of the children who attended Oakdale were not Quakers, and several were the children of slaves and other African American children, making Oakdale one of the first integrated schools in Virginia.

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Arcola Slave Quarters

admin — Sun, 03 May 2009 22:30:21 +0000

Slavery likely began in Loudoun in the early 1720’s. Slaves lived in poor quarters, and many of the structures that housed slaves had fallen into disrepair before the end of the 19th century. Today, the Arcola slave quarters is one of the few remaining reminders of Loudoun’s African American antebellum history.

The building is thought to have served as a home to slaves working on the James Lewis farm in the first half of the 1800s. The Lewis farm began when Vincent Lewis purchased the land in 1744. When he died, the farm was divided between his sons, James and Charles Lewis. The James Lewis farm prospered in the mid-1800’s but later declined. The Neal family, former slaves of the Lewis family, stilled lived on the property in 1870. The farm was sold at auction in 1885 after the family died out.
Where: (no inside access) 25077 Evergreen Mills Road Sterling

Village of Waterford

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:21:38 +0000

Founded in 1733 by a Quaker from Pennsylvania, Waterford lies around Catoctin Creek and contains many buildings built before 1840. Today, visitors to Waterford, Virginia, experience many of the same views as residents in the 19th century. Waterford preserves the ambiance and many of the structures that characterized it during its heyday as a flour milling town in the 19th century.

The village is a Loudoun County Historic and Cultural Conservation Site, on the Virginia Historic Landmarks Register, on the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1970, the entire village, with the farmland surrounding it, was designated a National Historic Landmark District, one of only three such landmarks in the entire United States.

http://www.waterfordva-wca.org/

Historic White’s Ferry

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:27:27 +0000

In operation since 1786, White’s Ferry is the last working ferry on the Potomac River. A widely used means of crossing the river (and a shortcut) between Maryland and Virginia since its inception. Today, commuters use the ferry daily, where 24 vehicles can be transported at a time. Located off Rt. 15, just north of Leesburg at the White’s Ferry Road intersection.

White’s Ferry
Dickerson, MD
(301) 349-5200

http://www.historicwhitesferry.com/

Thomas Balch Library

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:20:37 +0000

Thomas Balch Library is a history and genealogy library owned and operated by the Town of Leesburg. Collections focus on Loudoun County, regional and Virginia history, genealogy, military history with special emphasis on the American Civil War, and ethnic history. It is designated as an Underground Railroad research site.

The library was established and dedicated May 13, 1922 as a memorial tribute to Thomas Balch (1821-1877), a native of Leesburg. The library operated with money from an endowment established by Thomas Willing Balch and Edwin Swift Balch, sons of Thomas Balch. In the late 1960’s it became a branch of the Loudoun County Public Library system serving the community as a full service public library. In 1994-1995 the county transferred ownership of the library to the Town of Leesburg to be operated as a history and genealogy library. The original building was designed by noted Washington DC architect Waddy B. Wood. In 2000 renovations and a sympathetic two floor addition, designed by Bowie Gridley doubled the library’s size. Interior enhancements include murals depicting local history, portraits of distinguished local figures and Thomas Moser furniture.

208 W. Market St.
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 737-7195

http://www.leesburgva.gov/services/Library

Oatlands Plantation

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:13:15 +0000

A stately mansion, beautiful rolling farmland, exquisite gardens, a repository of more than 200 years of American history and culture – all of these can be found at Oatlands Historic House and Gardens near Leesburg, Virginia.

Established in the early 19th century by George Carter, Oatlands was a thriving wheat plantation and base for numerous business enterprises until the time of the Civil War. During most of the 20th century Oatlands served as the country estate of Mr. and Mrs. William Corcoran Eustis, affluent Washingtonians with strong ties to the American political arena.

Now a National Trust Historic Site and a National Historic Landmark, Oatlands is flourishing with four full seasons of activities. Come visit this beautiful part of Virginia with its important historic landscape, hear the stories Oatlands has to tell, discover the history of the place and its personalities, and enjoy the many programs and events at Oatlands.

20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane
Leesburg, VA 20175
Telephone: 703.777.3174

http://www.oatlands.org/

Mt. Zion Old School Baptist Church

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:07:53 +0000

Mt Zion Church is a crossroads of history, where visitors can roam pre-American Indian trails, a thoroughfare of early American commerce and transportation, a landmark of the American Civil War and appreciate an exellent example of a rural antebellum church.

The Mount Zion Old School Baptist Church is located near Aldie and Gilbert’s Corner on Route 50, east of the intersection with Route 15.

Phone: 703-777-0343 or 800-752-6118

Goose Creek Bridge

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:51:22 +0000

Now bypassed by Route 50, the bridge was built in 1802 as part of Ashby’s Gap Turnpike. It is one of the last four arch stone bridges in Virginia, and was the scene of a cavalry and artillery duel on June 21, 1863. Civil War interpretation is available at the site.

Morven Park Gardens

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:28:03 +0000

The grounds of Morven Park include over 1,000 acres of lawns, fields, and wooded areas, along with the boxwood gardens. Much of the property has been placed in conservation easements in order to preserve the open space for future generations. Indeed, Morven Park has been called an “oasis” in the midst of Northern Virginia’s rapid development. Areas that once saw slaves working on the plantation, Union and Confederate troops skirmishing during the Civil War, and pure bred livestock grazing in the fields now host thousands of visitors each year attending equestrian events, special activities, guided tours and educational programs.

Address: 17263 Southern Planter Ln Leesburg, VA 20176
Website: http://www.morvenpark.org
Activities: Hiking, History Tours

George C. Marshall International Center at Dodona Manor

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:55:44 +0000

Dodona Manor is the former home of General George C. Marshall, one of the most significant and influential individuals of the 20th century. Dodona Manor has been restored to document how the Secretary of State, head of the American Red Cross, author of the Marshall Plan, and receiver of the Nobel Prize lived.

George C. Marshall International Center at Dodona Manor
217 Edwards Ferry Road
Leesburg, VA 20176
Telephone: (703) 777-1880

http://www.georgecmarshall.org