Mt. Zion Historic Park

02/08/2020

Are you looking for something fun, educational and FREE to do this afternoon?

Join us for a guided tour of the Mt. Defiance battlefield, part of the June 19, 1863 Battle of Middleburg. Led by Bryan Robbins, Historic Preservationist and student of the Civil War, the tour will look at site features and the battle events in context and will include strategic military aspects of the battle, landscape features, and engaging human-interest stories. One hour tours begin at 1pm and 3pm. No admission fee and no need to register. Meet in the parking lot at 35945 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg.

02/07/2020

Guided Battlefield Tour
Mt. Defiance Historic Park
Saturday, February 8th
1PM and 3PM

Join us for a guided tour of the Mt. Defiance battlefield, part of the June 19, 1863 Battle of Middleburg. Led by Bryan Robbins, Historic Preservationist and student of the Civil War, the tour will look at site features and the battle events in context and will include strategic military aspects of the battle, landscape features, and engaging human-interest stories. One hour tours begin at 1pm and 3pm. No admission fee and no need to register. Meet in the parking lot at 35945 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg.

Civil War Trails, Inc.

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #mtdefiance #loveloudounhistory #novaparks

02/04/2020

Guided Battlefield Tour
Mt. Defiance Historic Park
Saturday, February 8th
1PM and 3PM

Join us for a guided tour of the Mt. Defiance battlefield, part of the June 19, 1863 Battle of Middleburg. Led by Bryan Robbins, Historic Preservationist and student of the Civil War, the tour will look at site features and the battle events in context and will include strategic military aspects of the battle, landscape features, and engaging human-interest stories. One hour tours begin at 1pm and 3pm. No admission fee and no need to register. Meet in the parking lot at 35945 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg.

Civil War Trails, Inc.

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #mtdefiance #loveloudounhistory #novaparks

01/30/2020

Just a reminder: TONIGHT is Part 2 of 3 of the Prelude to Gettysburg lecture series.

Part 2: Battle of Middleburg at Mt. Defiance Cidery on January 30th

Free admission and no reservations required.

For more information: http://ow.ly/QMrU50y8pNN

Loudoun County Public Library

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #loveloudounhistory #novaparks

01/30/2020

Throwback Thursday--NOVA PARKS-- The Power Plant That Never Was

Today we're looking back to our most read Throwback Thursday post of last year.

Our most popular story is the story of Algonkian Regional Park. The park's story may be one of fate or simply just one of luck. The park spans 838 acres next to the Potomac River, a swath of land that was once set aside for a coal burning power plant.

For the complete story: http://ow.ly/dhls50y85F2

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #novaparks

01/27/2020

Do you love Civil War history? Do you enjoy a nice glass of hard cider? If you do then we have the program for you on Thursday Night!

Join local historian Rich Gillespie for Part 2 of a 3 session presentation of the cavalry battles that took place in Loudoun County between June 17 and 21, 1863. Sandwiched between the famous battles of Brandy Station and Gettysburg, these often-overlooked battles proved the worth and fighting power of both Northern and Southern cavalrymen and their mounts. Sessions will be held within a two-month time frame, each one on or near the actual battlefield lands. Come to one, two, or all three sessions to hear the stories of the valiant men who met face-to-face in the summer of 1863. Co-sponsored by Loudoun County Public Libraries.

Part 2: Battle of Middleburg at Mt. Defiance Cidery on January 30th

Free admission and no reservations required.

Loudoun County Public Library

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #loveloudounhistory #novaparks

01/14/2020

NOVA Parks seeks to preserve local history through the 1863 Fund

NOVA Parks has a long tradition of preserving local historical sites. We strive to continue this tradition for many, many years.

http://ow.ly/vHxA50xVgZ3

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #loveloudounhistory #novaparks

With the 1863 Fund, the regional parks association hopes to continue to preserve local historic sites and continue to tell war stories for years to come.

01/11/2020

Looking for a way to take advantage of today's uncharacteristically warm weather?

Join us for a guided tour of the Mt. Defiance battlefield, part of the June 19, 1863 Battle of Middleburg. Tours will take place at 1PM and 3PM.

For more information: http://ow.ly/NtME50xS7EW

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #mtdefiance #loveloudounhistory #novaparks

01/09/2020

Do you love Civil War history? Are you looking for something to do outside on Saturday to take advantage of the uncharacteristically warm January day?

Join us for a guided tour of the Mt. Defiance battlefield, part of the June 19, 1863 Battle of Middleburg.

Led by Bryan Robbins, Historic Preservationist and student of the Civil War, the tour will look at site features and the battle events in context, and will include strategic military aspects of the battle, landscape features, and engaging human-interest stories. One hour tours begin at 1pm and 3pm. No admission fee and no need to register. Meet in the parking lot at 35945 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg.

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #loveloudounhistory #novaparks

01/09/2020

Calling all Civil War and Loudoun County history enthusiasts! Tonight is the first session of the Prelude to Gettysburg presentation.

Prelude to Gettysburg Part 1
Thursday, January 9th 7PM-8:30PM
Cana Vineyards

Join local historian Rich Gillespie for a three-session presentation of the cavalry battles that took place in Loudoun County between June 17 and 21, 1863. Sandwiched between the famous battles of Brandy Station and Gettysburg, these often-overlooked battles proved the worth and fighting power of both Northern and Southern cavalrymen and their mounts. Sessions will be held within a two-month time frame, each one on or near the actual battlefield lands. Come to one, two, or all three sessions to hear the stories of the valiant men who met face-to-face in the summer of 1863. Co-sponsored by Loudoun County Public Libraries.

Part 1: Battle of Aldie at Cana Vineyards on January 9th

For more information; http://ow.ly/20jj50xR6ad

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #loveloudounhistory #novaparks

01/08/2020

Prelude to Gettysburg Part 1
Thursday, January 9th 7PM-8:30PM
Cana Vineyards

Join local historian Rich Gillespie for a three-session presentation of the cavalry battles that took place in Loudoun County between June 17 and 21, 1863. Sandwiched between the famous battles of Brandy Station and Gettysburg, these often-overlooked battles proved the worth and fighting power of both Northern and Southern cavalrymen and their mounts. Sessions will be held within a two-month time frame, each one on or near the actual battlefield lands. Come to one, two, or all three sessions to hear the stories of the valiant men who met face-to-face in the summer of 1863. Co-sponsored by Loudoun County Public Libraries.

Part 1: Battle of Aldie at Cana Vineyards on January 9th

For more information; http://ow.ly/EJ9e50xQ3HL

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #loveloudounhistory #novaparks

01/07/2020

Guided Battlefield Tour
January 11th 1PM and 3PM

Join us for a guided tour of the Mt. Defiance battlefield, part of the June 19, 1863 Battle of Middleburg. Led by Bryan Robbins, Historic Preservationist and student of the Civil War, the tour will look at site features and the battle events in context, and will include strategic military aspects of the battle, landscape features, and engaging human-interest stories. One hour tours begin at 1pm and 3pm. No admission fee and no need to register. Meet in the parking lot at 35945 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg.

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #loveloudounhistory #novaparks

01/06/2020

Prelude to Gettysburg. Part 1
January 11 7PM
Cana Vineyards

Join local historian Rich Gillespie for a three-session presentation of the cavalry battles that took place in Loudoun County between June 17 and 21, 1863. Sandwiched between the famous battles of Brandy Station and Gettysburg, these often-overlooked battles proved the worth and fighting power of both Northern and Southern cavalrymen and their mounts. Sessions will be held within a two-month time frame, each one on or near the actual battlefield lands. Come to one, two, or all three sessions to hear the stories of the valiant men who met face-to-face in the summer of 1863. Co-sponsored by Loudoun County Public Libraries.

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #loveloudounhistory #novaparks

12/26/2019

THROWBACK THURSDAY--NOVA PARKS--THROW BACK AND LOOK FORWARD

2019 has been a big year for NOVA Parks, our 60th Anniversary. In addition to creating some of the most iconic parks and places in our region, in many ways NOVA Parks helped create what we know as Northern Virginia today. As one of the first regional organizations, we helped build the identity of Northern Virginia as a unified region.

This year, we have turned out 52 stories, a throwback for every week in the year. As the last of those throwbacks, let’s look at this series and what they say about our past, and what NOVA Parks will be in the future.

The complete story: http://ow.ly/I7mq50xHngu

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #60years #novaparks

12/19/2019

FYI...a FREE holiday event tonight.

TONIGHT at Ice and Lights: The Holiday Village at Cameron Run arrive before 6PM and get FREE VIP ADMISSION (includes admission to the Holiday Village and Ice Skating).

(Free admission is limited to the first 100 people)

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #iceandlights #novaparks

12/19/2019

Throughout the sixty years of its existence, NOVA Parks (Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority) has acquired some of the most beautiful parkland and historical sites in the Northern Virginia region. Significant settings like this lend themselves to significant occasions like weddings. While we do not know the date of the first wedding in a NOVA Parks facility, we do know that by the 1990s weddings in our parks were growing and has continued to grow ever since.

For the complete story: http://ow.ly/6J5o50xDy2L

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #novaparks #60years

12/12/2019

THROWBACK THURSDAY--NOVA PARKS—WOMEN’S RIGHT TO VOTE CELEBRATED AT OCCOQUAN REGIONAL PARK

While the Declaration of Independence declared “all men are created equal,” African American men did not gain the right to vote until the end of the Civil War (1865) and then had to struggle for decades to be able to fully use that right. Women did not gain the right to vote until 1920, also after decades of struggle!

The turning point in the long struggle for women’s right to vote happened in the early 20th century at a large prison complex near the north shore of the Occoquan River.

Complete story: http://ow.ly/uUrp50xxLwO

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #novaparks #60years

12/05/2019

THROWBACK THURSDAY—NOVA PARKS—FROM CHURCH TO BATTLEFIELD TO PARK

NOVA Parks, formerly the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, is continually growing its parkland. With the rich history of Northern Virginia, historic sites are a big part of our park system. Today we throwback to just over ten years ago, a time when the park authority acquired a new historic site as well as new parkland. The two additions are located directly next to one another and they are often considered one and the same.

For the complete story: http://ow.ly/dYM850xryLC

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #loveloudounhistory #60years #novaparks

11/28/2019

THROWBACK THURSDAY—NOVA PARKS—40 YEARS AGO

Today we look back at NOVA Parks (Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority) 40 years ago in late 1979 – early 1980. At that time the agency was celebrating its 20th anniversary and had already grown to about 8,000 acres.

For the complete story: http://ow.ly/LAQc50xlKdX

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #60years #novaparks

11/21/2019

THROWBACK THURSDAY--NOVA PARKS PARTNERSHIP DELIVERS SANCTUARIES

NOVA Parks (formerly the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority) has always been at the forefront of regional land conservation, historic preservation, and recreation. Today we throwback to 2013 and the acquisition of two of NOVA Parks with “sanctuary” in the name.

For the complete story: http://ow.ly/JPy450xgphR

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #60years #novaparks

11/19/2019

NOVA Parks 60: A Salute to Our Partners

As NOVA Parks celebrates our 60th Anniversary we would like to give a huge thank you to all our amazing Partners! We wouldn't be where we are today without you!

http://ow.ly/lPEJ50xfkIl

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #60years #novaparks

NOVA Parks works with a variety of partners throughout Northern Virginia. These partnerships have helped grow the agency, and in many cases, have helped NOVA...

11/14/2019

THROWBACK THURSDAY—NOVA PARKS—MOSTLY WATER

60% of the human body is made up of water! And, in Northern Virginia, a very substantial amount of the water you drink is filtered and protected by the parklands of NOVA Parks (Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority).

For the complete story: http://ow.ly/jqTd50xaVgt

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #60years #novaparks

11/07/2019

THROWBACK THURSDAY—NOVA PARKS—NOVA PARKS 50 years ago

Founded in 1959, by late 1969 and early 1970 the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks) was in full swing, creating the regional park system we know today. A review of the Board minutes from this time gives a snapshot of what was going on. Issues at the top of the agenda included:

◾Buying the Carlyle House
◾New Chevy Station Wagon for $2,262
◾Potomac Overlook Acquisition & Development
◾Major Land Acquisitions along the Occoquan
◾Bull Run Campground Development
◾Playground for $1,000
◾Development of Fountainhead
◾Pohick Bay Acquisitions
◾Dreams of the W&OD

For the complete story: http://ow.ly/hRJo50x3AID

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #60years #novaparks

10/31/2019

THROWBACK THURSDAY—NOVA PARKS—PARKS=LAND

At the most basic level, there would be no park systems without parkland. Land is the central ingredient. When NOVA Parks (Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority) was founded 60 years ago the first act was to buy 537 acres that was the start of Bull Run Regional Park.

From there rapid park acquisitions took place throughout the 60’s, 70’s and part of the 80’s. By 1975 NOVA Parks had grown to 7,418 acres.

For the complete story: http://ow.ly/VmRn50wXDaG

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #60years #novaparks

10/24/2019

Another reason to #LoveLoudoun! You can play golf amidst 100+ #birds species at NOVA Parks Algonkian Golf Course Course and Brambleton Golf Course.

To hear our story on WTOP News :
http://ow.ly/9UwQ50wT8Gx

#NOVAParks #nature #wildlife #conservation #golf #carbon #climatechange #birds #hummingbirds #nature #lovenature #parks #loudouncounty #loveloudoun #happinesshere

10/24/2019

THROWBACK THURSDAY--NOVA PARKS—A BRIGHT LIGHT ON INNOVATION

Today, NOVA Parks is well known for the award winning winter light shows. Between the Bull Run Festival of Lights, and the Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights, around 280,000 people a year are delighted and entertained. And, this year a third light show, the Cameron Run Ice and Lights, will attract visitors to Cameron Run on Eisenhower Avenue for ice skating and holiday lights. But where and why did this all start?

For the complete story: http://ow.ly/YOap50wT5gy

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #60years #novaparks

10/24/2019

THROWBACK THURSDAY--NOVA PARKS—A BRIGHT LIGHT ON INNOVATION

Today, NOVA Parks is well known for the award winning winter light shows. Between the Bull Run Festival of Lights, and the Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights, around 280,000 people a year are delighted and entertained. And, this year a third light show, the Cameron Run Ice and Lights, will attract visitors to Cameron Run on Eisenhower Avenue for ice skating and holiday lights. But where and why did this all start?

For the complete story: http://ow.ly/YOap50wT5gy

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #60years #novaparks

10/23/2019

CONVERSATIONS IN HISTORY: REVOLUTIONARY SPY JOHN CHAMPE
Tomorrow Night: October 24th
6:30PM-7:30 PM at Mt. Zion Church

Do you love a good spy story? Join Nova Parks and and the Mosby Heritage Area Association as we separate fact from fiction in the story of Loudoun's Revolutionary spy, John Champe.

The talk will take place at Historic Mt. Zion Church, located at 40309 John Mosby Highway, Aldie, Virginia. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and can be purchased at the door. For more information call (540) 687-5578 or visit www.MosbyHeritageArea.org/Events
The Mosby Heritage Area Association
#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #loveloudounhistory #mtzionchurch #novaparks