The parents and grandparents of today’s older Franconia residents would scarcely recognize the area today. Almost every square foot of land has been built on, and the housing zealots are looking to maximize density on what little is left, and even on what has already been developed.Back in the day, meaning from the World Wars and the Depression, Franconia was a farming community with a few railroa...  Read More

The current Olivet Chapel is the fourth Chapel built by the Episcopalians in Franconia. Two that were built on part of the Bush Hill estate in the 1850s were dismantled by Union troops during the Civil War in order to obtain wood for shelter and firewood. A third was built on what is now Bush Hill Drive near Westchester Street after the war, but failed to survive during difficult economic times.Th...  Read More

The Franconia Museum is pleased to announce that Carolyn Banks Summers, a native of Franconia who grew up in Hayfield, has joined its Board of Directors. Carolyn and her 14 fellow members of the Board will continue to work to preserve, protect and promote our cherished section of Fairfax County, Virginia.   Read More

Here are a few updates from the Franconia Museum this summer:Moose Lodge Supports Museum!Franconia Lodge #1076, Loyal Order of Moose, has made a substantial contribution to the Franconia Museum. The Board of Directors of the Franconia Museum thanks the Moose for their support. The Moose has a long history in Franconia, and its members have contributed greatly to the area’s history. We will documen...  Read More

(A Fairfax County Public Library in Rose Hill)John Marshall Library first opened in 1963 as a storefront in the Rose Hill Shopping Center.  The current permanent site first opened in 1975 and has been upgraded twice. In 1987, the heating and air conditioning system was improved and changes were made to comply with accessibility requirements.  In early 2017, the library closed to accommodate a $6.3...  Read More

The recent passing of Roni Stoneman, long-time star performer on the nationally televised “Hee Haw” series, brought back memories of the difficulties of the Depression and World War II eras in Franconia for her family and neighbors. The Stoneman’s lived along the RF&P railroad tracks from the mid-1930s to the early 1940s.Ernest (Pop) Stoneman, his wife, Hattie Elvina Frost Stoneman and a family th...  Read More

During World War II, the United States authenticated Adolph Hitler’s voice on radio broadcasts at a clandestine spy operation headquartered at the Bush Hill estate in what was then part of Franconia. Bush Hill no longer exists, and the land it occupied is near Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria. The house was located on ground that was part of a land granted by Lord Fairfax in 1706.Ernst (Putzi) Hanf...  Read More

An Amazing Local Story for Black History Month -- The obituary was unusual in that Negro Tom, who was otherwise known as Tom Fuller, had never been anywhere near Boston.  He died almost 500 miles away in Fairfax County, Virginia, near Alexandria, where he had lived out his entire adult life.  A search through the Alexandria newspaper of the time yields no me...  Read More