Gunston Hall Celebrates George Mason Day

One of the most important documents in human history was ratified 236 years ago, and it was written in Lorton.

It all started with founding father George Mason. On June 12, 1776, Mason's Virginia Declaration of Rights was adopted unanimously by the Fifth Virginia Convention at Williamsburg. The document, which was the first to constitutionally defend the individual rights of man, heavily influenced the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Bill of Rights and the French Revolution's Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Consequently, on Tuesday, 236 years after the fact, a small celebration was held at Mason's former home at Gunston Hall.  "This document put Virginia on the map, and we were respected around the world for what we said about government," said Del. Scott Surovell (D-44) to a room of 50 attendees at Gunston Hall. "…

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Lorton Weekend Planner

Weekend Planner: Memorial Day Events and More!

Got any plans?

Patch has found a variety of local events for you to choose from this Memorial Day Weekend.   Sunset Celebration at Mount Vernon Legally Blonde: The Musical Mulan Jr. Strawberry Festival “Unsinkable Women” Alexandria Running Festival: Half Marathon, 5K, and Kids’ 1K Fun Run “Wear Blue Run for the Fallen” Memorial Day 5K Walk/Run 35th Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival Memorial Day Programs:  “Hold Ourselves in Readiness: A Memorial Day Commemoration" at Gunston Hall Plantation: Monday, May 28, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Burke Centre Memorial Day Ceremony at Burke Centre Conservancy, Burke.  Monday, May 28 at 10 a.m. City of Alexandria Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Mount Vernon RECenter, Alexandria.  Monday, May 28 at 11 a.m. Library Events: …

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It's All Changing: The Future of Gunston Hall

Optimism abounds over home of George Mason — and for the first time in years.

Gunston Hall Interim Director Mark Whatford is working hard to improve communications with the Board of Regents, brainstorming over ideas for events and more community involvement, and having fun while doing it. For the first time in years, some say, there's a sense of optimism around Lorton's historic plantation. "I'm having a hell of a good time right now," said Whatford, who is also Gunston Hall's librarian, archivist and IT specialist. Whatford now works about 80 hours a week for his two full-time jobs. On Monday night, Gunston Hall's Board of Visitors presented and approved their annual report for 2011. The 20-page document — unveiled at a public hearing — is now on its way to the Governor's office. It makes a number of …

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A Message From the First Regent of Gunston Hall

This was sent to the community via email on Thursday

Editor's Note: The following is a letter from Wylie Raab, the First Regent of Gunston Hall. It was sent out via email on Thursday, May 3, and highlights the recent firing of Director David Reese and the future of programs at the estate of George Mason.    Regents of Gunston Hall met for their semi-annual meeting over the weekend of April 13-16. With the departure of David Reese as Director, Mark Whatford, who has served as our librarian, archivist, and IT specialist, agreed to step in as Acting Director.  New Jersey Regent-at-Large Sara Hill is heading the search committee which will choose a successor to Mr. Reese. Over the past year the Regents have been working hard at a 360° analysis of Gunston Hall. We have worked closely with the …

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Reese Out as Gunston Hall Director

Take our Patch Poll and tell us what you think.

David Reese, the controversial director of Gunston Hall, has been fired by the Board of Regents, it was announced this week. Details are emerging, and this much is sure—the home of George Mason will be seeing some changes.  Gunston Hall announced the ouster in a short email: "The Board of Regents of Gunston Hall, Lorton VA, announces that David Reese will no longer be serving as director of the historic landmark. Mark Whatford has been named acting director. First Regent Wylie Raab acknowledged Reese’s contributions to the preservation and restoration of Gunston Hall." The decision to fire Reese was made in a meeting of the Regents over the weekend. The Regents are members of the Colonial Dames of America and have overseen management of …

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Pat Patillo

2:04 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

Please excuse my mistake at a late hour -- it is indeed Gunston Hall & not "Gunton Hall" -- please forgive!   more ›

Gunston Hall Bill Carried Over To 2013 Session

This one will have to wait

  Legislation that would have revamped the mission of Gunston Hall has been carried over by the Committee on Education and Health to the 2013 Virginia General Assembly session. The bill, SB137, was sponsored by Virginia Sen. Linda "Toddy" Puller (D-36) and said that the Board of Regents, Board of Visitors and Board of Advisors must work together to help manage Gunston Hall.  "I would like for the [Gunston Hall] situation to go away, but it's still consuming a lot of my emails and phone calls," said Puller, who spoke to Patch on a cell phone from the Senate floor. "The most important thing is hiring an education coordinator, and I'll be making trips to Gunston Hall to continue to monitor what's going on there... Ultimately, the bill will …

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Susan Larson

10:11 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Gunston Hall is a National Treasure. I hope it will flourish even without passage of any legislation in 2012.   more ›

Weekend Planner: Celebrating Valentine’s Day and Black History Month

Friday, Feb. 10 through Sunday, Feb. 12

   Making plans for the weekend?  Patch has found a wide variety of local events for the whole family.   Virginia Opera: Orphée by Philip Glass “Be My Valentine” Animal Sweethearts Dance Local Library Book Sales Kingstowne:  Saturday, Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Kings Park:  Ongoing Sale Lorton:  Ongoing Sale Martha Washington:  Ongoing Sale Swordsmen’s Rendezvous Where: Gadsby’s Tavern, Alexandria When: Beginning Saturday, Feb. 11 every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Why Go: Learn about 18th century swordplay and weaponry, and pracice your newly discovered talents. This family event s most suitable for those in second grade and up. Registration required.  Price: $6 per person Cat Adopt-a-Thon Where: Mindful Hands, Alexandria When: …

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Poll: What Do You Think About Gunston Hall?

A bill in Richmond, a new Education Coordinator on the way...

A bill in the Virginia General Assembly could change the way business is conducted at the home of George Mason. After years of public miscontent over management of Gunston Hall, legislation is pending in Richmond that would revamp its mission. Last year, Gunston Hall Executive Director David Reese fired the longtime education coordinator, a move that prompted many to open their ears to warnings by departing staffers of questionable management. The Board of Regents recently wrote a letter to the Virginia Secretary of Education agreeing to hire an education coordinator.   Virginia State Senator Toddy Puller (D-36) is a member of the Gunston Hall Board of Advisors. Her bill, SB137, is currently awaiting a vote in the Education and Health …

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Gunston Hall Board of Regents Agrees to Hire Education Coordinator

Puller bill stipulating stricter oversight of Gunston Hall heads to subcommittee Thursday

No matter what, things will change at Gunston Hall. Virginia State Sen. Linda "Toddy" Puller's (D-36) bill to revamp the mission of the home of George Mason will go to the Subcommittee for Higher Education in Richmond on Thursday. And in a conciliatory effort, the Gunston Hall Board of Regents, which administers the property, has promised to fill the vacant education coordinator position. Education Coordinator In, Del. Albo Out The Board of Regents and Gunston Hall Executive Director David Reese have been harshly criticized for eliminating programs and firing the longtime education director last year. In a Jan. 23 letter to State Education Sec. Laura Fornash, Gunston Hall First Regent Wylie Raab made this offering:   "I am pleased to …

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