Photos: The American Revolution at Gunston Hall

It was a busy weekend at Gunston Hall Plantation.

The 7th Virginia met the Redcoats at the home of George Mason over the weekend. On May 4th and 5th, hundreds of Revolutionary War reenactors set up camp and held demonstrations and battles on the grounds of the stately manor. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!  It was the first time in 18th century costume for reenactor Sheryl Williams, who met her boyfriend, Craig Hall, at a Civil War reenactment last year. "My boyfriend and I are looking to find a unit to join," said Williams. "It's so much fun. It's like dating Dr. Who!" Hall, who lives in Cockeysville, Md., was dressed as a captain in the Continental Army. He's participated in reenactments for 30 years. "I do Vietnam, World War II, the Civil War. My closet is filled with all my …

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John the Fifer: A Revolutionary Musician

You can see him at Lorton's Gunston Hall and other historic venues.

Is that the high twiddle of "British Grenadiers" in the distance? It is if you're at Lorton's Gunston Hall Plantation on a busy day, where John "the Fifer" O'Loughlin plays jigs on the fiddle and fife and tells stories from the days of the American Revolution.  "In colonial days everyone participated in the dancing, and music and dance were a part of life," said O'Loughlin to Patch. "I'm trying to unleash the inner musician in people. There is not enough music in our lives, and it's in our DNA to make happy, communal music." O'Loughlin, 60, was born in the District and graduated from Georgetown Law School. Although he played multiple instruments as a child, (trumpet, piano, recorder) he became a general practice litigator, and performed in…

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Photos: A Field Trip at Gunston Hall

Hundreds of kids were at the home of George Mason on Thursday afternoon.

Now, that was a field trip. On Thursday, Lorton's Gunston Hall, the home of founding father George Mason, hosted 367 local elementary schools from across Northern Virginia. The students participated in events with Gunston Hall docents and volunteers in period dress. "Every child gets a tour of the mansion, participates in some activity in the kitchen yard from food prep to laundry, practices their penmanship with quills and play games," said Frank Barker, Gunston Hall's assistant education coordinator.   The students were from: Enjoy the photos!   Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

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With General Assembly Session Concluded, Gunston Hall Executive Director Search Can Now Begin

The Governor's budget included a provision that will allow the Executive Director to receive a higher salary, and the money will come from private donors.

The search for a new executive director for Gunston Hall Plantation can finally begin. The recently concluded 2013 Virginia General Assembly approved Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's budget, which includes a provision allowing the executive director to receive a portion of his salary from private donations.  "The recruitment for executive director will begin now that the General Assembly's work has concluded," Interim-Executive Director Patrick Ladden told Patch. "It will be a nationwide search. A search committee is in place and the process will include advertising in major museum locations such as the American Alliance for Museums, American Association for State and Local History, American Historical Association and through state and other …

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Governor Includes Budget Provision to Supplement Gunston Hall Director Salary With Private Donations

The ideal salary will be six figures.

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has included a provision in his budget that will allow the future executive director of Gunston Hall Plantation to receive a portion of his salary from private donors. As it stands, the Board of Regents, who oversee the former home of George Mason, are finding it difficult to find suitable candidates for the open position, due to a salary cap of just more than $80,000 a year. The exact salary that the Regents want for the position has not been made publicly known.  "We know that since Northern Virginia is more expensive than many other places in the country, that to attract the right applicant you probably have to offer a better salary," said Gunston Hall interim director Patrick Ladden. "The anticipation is…

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Puller Pushes to Increase Gunston Hall Director Salary

The upcoming Virginia General Assembly will have to amend the Governor's budget, or else it may be a while longer before the position is filled.

Gunston Hall needs a new director, but the position will not be open until it pays more. Virginia State Sen. Toddy Puller (D-36th) recently told Patch that next month she will present a budget amendment to the Virginia Senate Finance Committee that would increase the salary of the director position from about $90,000 a year to a yet-to-be determined six-figure salary.  "The main thing Gunston Hall wants is to be able to pay their executive director more money than they are allowed by state law to do," said Puller. "I told them (Gunston Hall representatives) that I would carry legislation for that, but they are hoping the governor will include that in his budget, and they won't know about that until he unveils his budget on Dec. 19. But …

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Photos: A Plantation Christmas at Gunston Hall

The Mason Neck tradition continues at the home of George Mason.

George Mason would have been proud. On Saturday, Gunston Hall celebrated Christmas in a style befitting the 18th century. As carols were heard in the background, guests sipped warm cider, went on hayrides, toured the mansion and ate 18th century food.  "The winter holiday was really a time for dinners, parties, fox hunts and it was a religious holiday," said Gunston Hall interim Director Patrick Ladden to Patch. "It was not celebrated the same way that it is today."  Gunston Hall was outfitted on Saturday to look exactly as it did in 1775, sans a Christmas tree or stockings hanging from the hearth. George Mason was 50 (and recently took George Washington's place at the Third Virginia Convention in Richmond), and the affairs of the …

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Gunston Hall Hires Interim Director

There's a new boss at the former home of George Mason.

The Gunston Hall Board of Regents has hired a new Interim Director to oversee operations at the property over the next six to 12 months. In an email, Gunston Hall First Regent Wylie Raab announced that the temporary position will be held by Patrick Ladden, a former program director with the Corcoran College of Art and Design and chief of Project Management at the Museum of American History. HIs first day is Sept. 20.  "This action results from our efforts to work with the Commonwealth to increase the competitiveness of the Executive Director position," wrote Raab. "We anticipate beginning the recruitment process next Spring." Gunston Hall is owned by the Commonwealth and is run by a Board of Regents (chosen from The National Society of the…

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Obituaries

Mason Neck Champion Gerald Lyons Dies

Lyons, 74, gave decades to community organizations, including LCAC, Gunston Hall Plantation and the Mason Neck Citizens Association Board.

Gerald Lyons, that staunch Mason Neck advocate, untiring volunteer and friendly neighbor, died on Thursday, Aug. 16. He was 74. "He was a dear," said Sallie Lyons, of her husband of 42 years. "He loved to do his art and share his ideas with people. He wasn't happy if he wasn't doing something artistic for a good reason."  Lyons, a talented graphic designer with a wickedly sharp wit, passed away after suffering from a stroke on Aug. 10. "Jerry", as his friends called him, was born on Feb. 1, 1938, in Springfield, IL. He studied architecture at Southern Illinois University and Washington University in St. Louis, before he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1961. Lyons served two years in the Army, and it was there that he got a penchant for …

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Dick Kennedy

10:11 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

This is a beautifully written tribute to a real gentleman who made extraordinary contributions to our community in many different areas, and charmed everyone he met along the way with his laid-back manner, wit, and extraordinary sense of humor.   more ›

Weekend Planner: Fireworks, Crafts, Ice Cream and More

What are you up to this weekend?

Patch has found a variety of local indoor and outdoor activities to keep you busy this weekend.   Free Kids Workshop Have a great weekend!

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