Andy Smith was born in a log cabin in Fairfax Station in 1911. His ancestors were once enslaved. Andy was a laborer who was well known as the man who sat on his front porch and waved at every motorist. The community cared for and watched over Andy…
Gladys Tancil was a prominent person in the sharing of Mount Vernon’s history and developing educational programming. In the 1970s Tancil became the first African American guide at Mount Vernon. She led tours at Mount Vernon that focused on the…
The website includes “the names of enslaved and formerly enslaved Virginians who authored narratives of their lives, were the subjects of biographies, or who spoke to journalists or oral historians.”
The course involves examining and learning about history from a different perspective from what is taught in a typical history class. There also is a heavy emphasis on examining local history, going as small as your neighborhood potentially. The goal…
Articles about Clifton residents.
“Cowboy James Beckwourth” – September 2020, page 10 explorer of western United States
“Happy 187th Birthday, Warner Melvin! Meet One of Clifton’s Oldest Neighbors” – October 2020, page 10
“The Jeremiah…
William McKinley Carter lived in Vienna and was a member of the NAACP, the Elks, and the Free and Accepted Masons. He was President of the Citizen Progressive Association of Vienna. He was one of the leaders of the Friends of the Vienna Library who…
Miss Nellie was a teacher and principal for thirty-two years for FCPS at the two room “Colored School.” In 1936, she created a study comparing county white schools to black schools. The study revealed that ninety percent of the county’s school budget…
Interviews of Fairfax County residents were collected by Marion Dobbins to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The interviewees described their personal involvement with the Civil Rights Movement. Each interview is…
The citations are labeled either 100 or Additional. The description of each person’s biographical interview will include major topics mentioned in the interview.
- Ailene V. Borgus –100 grew up on Ash Grove Farm, attended Odrick’s School and…
James Robinson was well known, successful, and very respected in Fairfax County. At birth, he was freed and granted nine acres of land. The chapter describes the life of Gentleman Jim and the Robinson family. During the Civil War, the Robinson home…
Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Kinship Care Unit. In 1957, African American Olander Banks decided to leave Alexandria and move his family and his business to the “country” in Fairfax County.
At around the age of 16, Billy Lee was purchased by George Washington. He worked as a valet and accompanied George Washington during the Revolutionary War.
As an enslaved man, Billy served as George Washington’s valet throughout the American Revolution and during the early months of Washington’s presidency.
West Ford was born a slave on the plantation in Westmoreland County owned by Bushrod Washington, George’s brother. After George Washington died, Bushrod moved to Mount Vernon, bringing West Ford with him. West Ford was guaranteed freedom at the age…
John Watson Mills, a Pamunkey Indian, walked from Aylett, Virginia to Fairfax County where he would settle, marry, and have a family. On their marriage certificate, John and his wife were both identified as Black.
The collection of items covers Mary Goins Roots’ life and career; her family; and her ancestors including the Coffer, Goins, Jeffrey, Pearson and Wright families; the Sideburn Civic Association; Greater Little Zion Baptist Church; her career with…
John Jackson was born in Woodville, Virginia and moved to Fairfax County and became a grave digger. In the 1960s, his talent as a guitar player and Blues performer was discovered. He performed in Fairfax County and became famous locally, nationally,…
