Huntley

Friends of Historic Huntley HeadlinesFall 2018

Historic Discussions at Huntley FOHH Annual Meeting John Maass: Sites Related to George Washington Jessie MacLeod: Saturday, September 29, 2 p.m. Betsey Mason’s Letter 6918 Harrison Lane, Alexandria Saturday, November 3, 2 p.m. Registration fee, $5 Martha Washington Library, free Join us as Author John R. Maass, 6614 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria Ph.D. discusses Virginia sites related Annual meeting speaker Associate to George Washington, particularly Curator Jessie MacLeod, from George those within Historic Huntley’s Washington’s , will expansive viewshed. Dr. Maass is a provide a presentation: “Thank God historian at the U.S. Army Center of it is now in your hands”: Unpacking Military History, an adjunct professor of Betsey C. Mason’s Letter to John history at Norwich University, and the Augustine Washington III. author of The French and Indian War in Ms. MacLeod will connect Mason’s North Carolina: The Spreading Flames letter with a key journal entry by of War; Defending a New Nation, 1783- Magistrate John Augustine Washington 1811; The Road to Yorktown: Jefferson, III on the 1845 trial of five enslaved Lafayette and the British Invasion of men from Huntley for trespassing. Virginia; and, most recently, George Washington’s journal is held by Mount Washington’s Virginia. Register at Vernon, while Mason’s letter was www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley- recently purchased at auction by FOHH. meadows/classes-camps. For more The letter shows concern for the fair information, call 703.768.2525. v treatment of “her negroes” during the trial. The incident suggests how enslaved people endeavored to maintain Thank You, family and social networks across C. Richard Bierce! different plantations. Ms. MacLeod Farewell and thank you to C. Richard will place this local historical event into Bierce, AIA! After living in this area the broader context of the Lives Bound for many years, he has moved back to Together exhibit at Mount Vernon, his home state of Arizona. A historical where the letter will be on display architect and preservation consultant, through September 2019. Mr. Bierce served on the Fairfax County Join us for this special presentation and Architectural Review Board for 30 the annual election of FOHH Board years, administering the regulations of members. If you haven’t already, please the county’s historic overlay districts, renew your FOHH membership—only including Huntley’s. He worked on the members in good standing may vote. bicentennial restoration projects of both For your convenience, a membership continued on page 2 renewal form can be found on page 4. v

Huntley Headlines • Fall 2018 1 for an exhibition at Mount Vernon President’s Column and their Associate Curator Jessie Digitizing T.F. Mason’s by Todi Carnes MacLeod will speak at FOHH’s annual Law Papers It’s a bit of irony that so many people meeting. Long before building the villa and today seem to isolate themselves from Expect to see more FOHH endeavors other structures at Historic Huntley, others by becoming “lost” in their smart aimed at revitalizing connections. Thomson Francis (“T.F.”) Mason was, phones—a device whose purpose is More than simply physical places, a in 1807, a newly minted graduate of connection with others. complex social fabric existed between the College of New Jersey (Princeton While it is just as easy to lose those who lived and worked in the University). This honor student had a yourself in the mesmerizing sight of area—one that we are looking to plan to establish a law practice in his Historic Huntley’s multiple federal- rebuild. Through their good works as home state of Virginia. style structures, its hillside setting ambassadors, Ms. Hershler and Ms. tells us that it was all about making Young have taken Huntley far beyond connections. Intentionally situated on Harrison Lane to , Mount high ground so that its owners could Vernon, and the hearts of others. see others across the Hybla Valley, If you’d like to break isolating phone its elevated location also ensured that behaviors and serve as a Huntley others would be able to view the villa. ambassador to other locations, please Huntley was not built in isolation, but contact me at [email protected]. v within this connected community. This newsletter showcases how FOHH seeks to revitalize those C. Richard Bierce continued ... connections. Board Members Erica Carlyle House and Gadsby’s Tavern in Hershler and Patty Young have been Alexandria. doing just that at Gunston Hall (home Mr. Bierce first toured the Historic to IV, grandfather of Huntley site in the 1970’s and served Huntley’s builder, T.F. Mason, and T.F. on the FOHH Advisory Council since Mason’s birthplace)—see Digitizing T.F. Mason’s Law Papers on this page. its inception. He researched and wrote the 2002 Historic Structures Report Patty Young and Erica Hershler present A product of this strengthened information on their T.F. Mason archival relationship was an alert by Gunston for Huntley in conjunction with Shaffer, Wilson, Sarver & Gray, P.C., project to members of Gunston Hall’s Hall staff to FOHH that a letter authored Board of Regents in April 2018. by Betsey Mason, Huntley’s original a document that has informed many mistress, was scheduled for auction. restoration decisions. In 2017, more than two centuries later, FOHH acquired the letter. An outstanding friend among Friends, eleven archival boxes containing That purchase helped revitalize the we are grateful for Mr. Bierce’s many more than 4,000 documents from relationship with George Washington’s dedicated years of support through the law office of T.F. Mason arrived Mount Vernon. (In the last year of her public and scholarly presentations, at stately Gunston Hall, home of life, Betsey Mason served with the consultations, and applied expertise. T.F.’s grandfather, George Mason lV. Mount Vernon Ladies Association as Richard, we wish you all the best in Having participated in Huntley’s 2017 Vice-Regent of Virginia.) As noted on Arizona and look forward to seeing Discovery Day, Gunston Hall knew just v page 1, Betsey’s letter will be on loan you on visits back to Virginia. where to turn for volunteers to help with digitizing and making publicly available this documentary treasure Book and CD Sales trove: FOHH. Board members FOHH’s sales of used books and Erica Hershler and Patty Young CDs at the Huntley Meadows eagerly seized this opportunity to Park Visitor Center benefit Historic Huntley. Books focus on uncover more of the T.F.’s personal historic homes and architecture, and professional life. local and regional history, and For the past year, these two volunteers the Civil War. CD stock focuses have diligently journeyed to Gunston on classical music and historical Hall one day a week to carefully narratives. Most books are $2 or position and photograph each of the $3; CDs are $3, two for $5, or $2 thousands of irreplaceable and often each for three or more. To donate Betsey C. Mason: image from the fragile documents. They also have books or CDs, contact Todi Carnes been simultaneously cross-checking collection of George Washington’s at [email protected]. v Mount Vernon. and verifying document identification 2 Fall 2018 • Huntley Headlines FCPA Programs at Historic Huntley All programs meet at Historic Huntley, 6918 Harrison Lane, Alexandria, unless otherwise specified. Look for signs with directions when you arrive at Huntley. For more information and to register, call 703.222.4664 or go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows/classes-camps.

The View from Huntley Colonial Life for Homeschool September 10, October 18, October 9, 12-2 p.m., December 12, November 15, 1-2 p.m., ages 1-3 p.m., ages 4-adult, $12. Discover 2-adults, $5. Take a trip through time more about , to examine Alexandria’s and the land once owned by George Mason. Nonflat pages held down by book snakes. nation’s history from the perspective Learn to make candles, design a of events at Historic Huntley. stencil to mark crops, write with a and data entry, which will make the quill pen, and decide the future of Mason Tea documents accessible for retrieval the Virginia Colony. Meet at Huntley and use. September 14, November 4, Meadows Park. Given the number of documents December 14, 2-3:30 p.m., adults, and the time-consuming nature of $15. Enjoy an 1830-style afternoon Halloween History Treat! tea and a tour of Historic Huntley. The Frightful Science of Mary Shelly their task, these volunteers have been October 12, 7-8:30 p.m., adults, $25. Twilight Hilltop Tour unable to stop and read them. However, Enjoy refreshments and watch Dean occasionally they catch interesting September 14, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Howarth historically reenact the tidbits. One was the mystery as to adults, $5. Join a special after- Natural Philosopher demonstrating hours tour and view the house in a why T.F. would order only one shoe Frankenstein’s animation of the dead. dramatic way by the setting sun. at a time, until they remembered that House Detective Delicious Dairy at Historic Huntley horseshoes were in common use—and October 15, 1-2 p.m., adults, $5. not necessarily needed in pairs. September 15, 1-2 p.m., ages Look for clues to resolving some of Ms. Hershler and Ms. Young are 2-adult, $7. Churn your own the enduring mysteries of Historic delicious butter and taste fresh Huntley in its architectural details optimistic that the documents will be cheese you can make at home. digitally available by spring 2019. v and styles. Examine photographs, Taux Trail for Homeschool artifacts, and the buildings themselves. September 18, 12-2 p.m., Pumpkin Party on the Hill November 14, 1-3 p.m., ages 6-12, October 27, 1-3 p.m., ages 2-12, $12. Be immersed in the lifeways of $15 or group of 4 for $32. Bring a Virginia Indians—grind corn, make pumpkin to paint and decorate, taste a clay pot, and master corn darts. pumpkin ice cream, and make your Meet at Huntley Meadows Park. own pumpkin play-dough. Upside-Down Tour The Women of Historic Huntley September 19, 1:30 p.m., November 5, December 20, September 30, 1:30 p.m, October 6, 1-2 p.m., adults, $5. A society 10:30 a.m., October 28, 2 p.m., matron, an enslaved wife and ages 8-adult, $5. It’s your turn to mother, a farmer’s daughter, a tell the story during this interactive military wife—Huntley has been tour. Ponder the clues, explore and home to interesting women and seen investigate, play games, and take Document photography station. the lives of women change over time. a selfie with your favorite Huntley character. Make Old-Fashioned Toys at Historic Huntley Huntley in the 20th Century November 17, 1-2 p.m., September 20, December 10, ages 4-adult, $7. Make simple toys 1-2:30 p.m., adults, $7. Meet to take home, play games like those and then car pool to see traces of enjoyed by the children who once Huntley Meadows Park’s 20th- lived at Huntley, and enjoy a house century history. Discover Huntley’s tour and scavenger hunt. role in the nation’s defense. Learn about the schemer who accidentally Christmas at Huntley made the park possible and the December 16, 4:30-6 p.m., ages dreamer who defended it. The tour 4-adult, $10. Learn about Christmas Each document is photographed with a includes a mile stroll on easy ground. traditions, enjoy a glass of hot cider number label that matches its finding aid/ and shortbread, make a small gift, archival file number. and help illuminate the house. v Huntley Headlines • Fall 2018 3 FRIENDS OF HISTORIC HUNTLEY P.O. Box 7241 Alexandria, VA 22307-0241 Address correction requested

Save the Dates: Historic Discussions—September 29 FOHH Annual Meeting—November 3 Educational programs for all ages

Huntley-Related Web Sites www. historichuntley.org www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/historic-huntley www.friendsofhuntleymeadows.org

For more information, call 703.768.2525 Historic Huntley over the summer, Tour Historic Huntley­ I found all these things. Helping with Enjoy southern Fairfax County’s most or go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ historic-huntley. v camps both at Historic Huntley and scenic outlook at Historic Huntley, the Huntley Meadows Park was a fantastic small house with a big view. A Fairfax experience. My coworkers shared my County Park Authority site, the property Summer Intern Report: zeal for providing a safe, exciting, is on the National Register of Historic and knowledge-filled experience Places, the Virginia Landmarks Register, Malcolm McNeil for the campers. I would like to give and the Fairfax County Inventory of After graduating from Christopher special thanks to Cheryl-Ann Repetti, Historic Sites. Tour on Saturdays from Newport University with a major my supervisor, for bringing me into April through October, from 10 a.m. to in history and a minor in leadership such a joy-filled atmosphere. I plan to studies, I wanted to work in a 3 p.m. and by appointment. $5 adults; continue my relationship with the park historical area, educate kids, and $3 children and seniors; under 5, free. and historic house, and hopefully will have a solid connection to nature. begin volunteering at both this fall. The grounds are open from dawn to With the opportunity to serve as Thank you! v dusk from March through November. historical interpretation intern at

Huntley Headlines is produced by Friends Join Friends of Historic Huntley today! of Historic Huntley, a local citizens group Support Historic Huntley by joining this group of history- and historic preservation- formed to preserve Historic Huntley and related cultural resources through advocacy minded people. Members receive the newsletter, an invitation to a members-only event, and education. and a 10% discount on FOHH merchandise. FOHH is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Membership dues and contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Board of Directors: Todi Carnes, President • Peter Christensen, Vice With your volunteer efforts and financial support, we can make a difference. President • Carolyn Gamble, Secretary • Jere Gibber, Treasurer • Erica Hershler, Name ______Tel ______Publicity • Charlotte Brown • Karen Address ______Connair • Charles O. Davis • Harry City, State, Zip ______Glasgow • Stephen F. Kimbel • Patty Email ______May we email Huntley Headlines? ______Young • Susan Escherich, Emeritus • Todi Carnes, HMHOA Representative • q $15 Individual q $20 Family q $10 Student/Senior Connie Carpender, FOHMP q q Representative • Karin Boston, $150 Lifetime Membership Additional donation ______Woodlawn Faith United Methodist q New Member q Renewing Member Total enclosed ______Church Representative Advisors: Barbara B. Ballentine • I’m interested in volunteering in the following area(s): Susan Hellman • Robbie McNeil

HH (work with staff at HMP): q Docent q Greeter q Research Address changes: FOHH: q Fundraising q Program Planning q Public Relations q Special Events Please send your mailing label with corrections to the address above or to Send completed form with check payable to Friends of Historic Huntley to: [email protected]. FOHH, P.O. Box 7241, Alexandria, VA 22307-0241