Herndon Historical Society

01/15/2021

Eagle Scout Marc-Anthony Jaoude and Scout supervisor Roger Claff visit with Herndon Historical Society President Nancy Saunders at the Herndon depot as Marc-Anthony works on a project about Herndon History.

01/14/2021

Happy 142nd Birthday to the Town of Herndon! 🥳 The town was incorporated on January 14, 1879. The first elected mayor was Isaiah Bready, who is pictured here. So much has changed since he was mayor, but Herndon remains a charming little town. That's something we can all celebrate!! 🎉

01/13/2021

Happy New Year to Herndon Historical Society Members and Supporters:

We hope you are all staying safe and healthy. Until we are able to safely meet together again, we will bring local history to you via your computer. We have collected four YouTube videos on the history of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad for our January meeting.

• NOVA History Remembered: The W&OD Railroad Begins (6 minutes and 18 seconds) https://youtu.be/6D1Z4wJOPB0 (Turn your volume up for this one)

• NOVA History Remembered: The W&OD Railroad: After the Civil War (6 minutes and 20 seconds) https://youtu.be/A8_rM_zLRDI (Turn your volume up for this one)

• NOVA History Remembered: Great Falls and Old Dominion Railroad (10 minutes and 32 seconds) https://youtu.be/FiQRq3ZbWFY

• NOVA History Remembered: The End of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad and the W&OD Railway (9 minutes and 5 seconds) https://youtu.be/dUnNyCJx_c4

These videos have been prepared by Paul McCray, who was the manager of the W&OD Trail for 20 years before becoming the Operations Director for NOVA Parks. His research about the W&OD led to a collection of almost 2,000 photos and over a thousand news articles and original documents from the railroad. These are wonderful reminders of our history in and around Herndon.

We hope you enjoy the videos and we hope to see you soon!

All our best,
The Herndon Historical Society Board of Directors

01/12/2021

ATTENTION MEMBERS (AND MEMBERS-TO-BE 😁)!!

It's time to renew your 2021 membership!! 🤗 If you're not a member, why not take this opportunity to become a member and support the preservation of Herndon's rich history? 🤓 Please (re-)join by filling out the membership form that can be found at the link below. Payment can be made to the address on the form, or by contacting HHS for online payment instructions ([email protected]). Thanks so much and we hope to be able to see you around the depot soon ... choo choo!! 🚂

http://www.herndonhistoricalsociety.org/images/Membership_form,_2021.pdf

Image credit: upbeat membership

01/12/2021

HERNDON - DID YOU KNOW?? 🤔

Did you know that the Boy Scouts were organized in Herndon in 1924? Seen here is a photo of Herndon Scout Troop 124 in 1937 when they took a trip to Mount Vernon. 🇺🇸 Also shown is a scout standing by a house near 803 Elden Street. Do you see your grandfather in the group photo? 🧐

Photos courtesy Walter Wyatt, Jr.

01/04/2021

Remembering Herndon's History: A Brief Overview Of Town's Past

https://patch.com/virginia/herndon/remembering-herndons-history-town-history-brief

Barbara Glakas of the Herndon Historical Society details the early history and growth of the Town of Herndon.

12/30/2020

Purcellville Parks and Recreation

Purcellville Parks and Recreation

Today's #FeatureFriday takes a ride on the W&OD Trail with the Town's Purcellville Parks and Recreation Division. Learn about the history, its current uses and some tips while using the W&OD Trail!
The Purcellville Parks and Recreation Division provides recreational opportunities, history, art, culture and environmental stewardship to enrich the quality of life for residents and vistors.
#PurcellvilleStrong

12/27/2020

Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park

We have a favor to ask. Our drive-through light show was so incredibly popular that we're now planning to do it again next year. However, we'd like to make it even more spectacular. When you take down your holiday decorations this year, consider donating a few to Frying Pan Farm Park.

We'll take outdoor light strings, ropes and icicles; extension cords, inflatables, garlands, wreaths, artificial trees, wire frame figures, outdoor spotlights, etc. Just leave your donated decorations in the farm kiosk pictured here. We'll accept donations until January 30. Thanks in advance!

12/27/2020

Give the Gift of History

Neither researched nor endorsed by the Herndon Historical Society, but certainly an interesting notion. 🤗❤️📬

Starting at $59.99

12/24/2020

Herndon WinterMarkt: Santa and the Goodnight Train (June Sobel)

So excited for Conductor Bill’s reading of “Santa and the Goodnight Train”! 🚂 Thanks to June Sobel for allowing him to share this beautiful book with you. ❤️ Happy holidays!! 🎄
Herndon WinterMarkt
Herndon Holiday Model Train Show
#HerndonWM

Scott “Conductor Bob” Tilton reads Santa and the Goodnight Train by June Sobel for the Herndon WinterMarkt live from the Herndon Historic Train Depot, home o...

12/23/2020

Historic Tours & Programs | City of Fairfax, VA

Historic Tours & Programs | City of Fairfax, VA

The city has published a free self-guided walking tour brochure, "Courting History," that provides a brief history of the city and noteworthy buildings in the Old Town Fairfax Historic District. This brochure is available from the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, 10209 Main Street, or call 703.385...

12/19/2020

12/18/2020

Looking for a gift for someone who likes to collect or write postcards? We have Herndon postcards for you! If you would like to make an appointment to come purchase these items or any other Historical Society merchandise at the Herndon Depot, please contact us at [email protected].

12/15/2020

Thanks to everyone who came out to visit us at the Depot on Saturday ... what a “wunderbar” day!! 😃 WinterPlatz was in full swing and the Historical Society was open for business. Holiday shoppers picked up bits of Herndon history, passersby enjoyed the festive music and one lucky local won the raffle for a gift basket full of Herndon history! 🎁 It's not too late to pick up your replica Depot sign, Herndon history books and other goodies for your favorite Herndonite before Christmas! Check out our inventory and prices via the link below, and email your order here: [email protected] (local pick up only). Thanks again and happy holidays! 🎄

https://www.facebook.com/events/1625076707695827/?post_id=1625080314362133&view=permalink

12/14/2020

Are you looking for some Herndon artwork? We have 11 x 7 inch classic prints of the Herndon Depot, ready to frame. If you would like to make an appointment to come purchase these items or any other Historical Society merchandise at the Herndon Depot, please contact us at [email protected].

12/12/2020

Do you see what I see? WinterPlatz is finally here! And the Historical Society will be open for business today from 12-5! So scamper on down to the Depot to pick up holiday gifts for your favorite Herndonite ... replica Depot signs, Herndon history books and more! For more information, click on the link below or go to www.HerndonWinterMarkt.com. Have a ho-ho-happy day!! 🎄🎁

https://www.facebook.com/events/1625076707695827/permalink/1625080314362133/

image credit: Beth Trissel - Word Press

12/12/2020

Another great gift basket idea! Pick your Herndon sign up at the Depot this Saturday from 12-5! 🚂

Have a friend that appreciates unique handcrafted gifts? We recommend a gift basket combining:
*Ted’s Woodworking for hand carved and crafted children’s toys (https://etsy.me/1ShFvg2)
*Eldenwood Designs for a barrel top table or serving tray
*Herndon Historical Society for a wood Herndon sign
*ArtSpace Herndon for arts and crafts from a number of local artists and crafts people

Check out these craftsmen at WinterPlatz this weekend or in the online virtual MarketPlatz at www.herndonwintermarkt.com. While there see all our other wonderful vendors.

12/11/2020

Are you interested in a memoir about early Herndon? This booklet, “Memories of Herndon,” was written by Lottie Dyer Schneider, a mayor’s daughter who was born in 1879 (the year the Town of Herndon was incorporated), and wrote about her memories of Herndon schools, businesses, people and other goings on in town. If you would like to make an appointment to come purchase this booklet or any other Historical Society merchandise at the Herndon Depot, please contact us at [email protected].

12/11/2020

What a great gift basket idea! Thanks for sharing, Herndon WinterMarkt!! 🎄🎁

Still looking for that perfect gift basket? How about the “Essential Herndon” gift package:

*Visit the Herndon Historical Society for a Herndon sign (comes in many sizes) and a book about Herndon history
*Check out ArtSpace Herndon for the children’s book “A Day in Herndon” (also available through the Historical Society)
*And get one of the “new” Herndon flags from Herndon Raises a New Town Flag

It’s the perfect gift for the history buff or someone who just loves our community! Add some other items your loved one will enjoy from any of our other local, small business vendors to round it out www.herndonwintermarkt.com.

12/10/2020

This weekend, WinterPlatz is coming to Herndon! 🎄 Sponsored by Northwest Federal Credit Union, WinterPlatz will be celebrated by local merchants offering European and holiday specials. More information can be found on the attached flier, or from informational cards available at participating shops and restaurants. 🤩 BONUS - the Historical Society will be open for business on the Saturday of WinterPlatz! Stop by the Herndon Depot Museum for replica Herndon Depot signs, Herndon history books and other gifts for your favorite Herndonite. So this weekend, shop local, shop small, and shop WinterMarkt. 🎁
www.HerndonWinterMarkt.com
Herndon WinterMarkt
#HerndonWM

12/07/2020

🚂❤️😍

Landing in town mailboxes this week!

12/07/2020

Looking for a gift for someone who likes cross-stitch? We have got the gift for you! We have a cross-stitch pattern of the Herndon Depot created by Herndon Historical Society member, Virginia Clarity. Seen here is the pattern and what it will look like when you are done! If you would like to make an appointment to come purchase this item or any other Historical Society merchandise at the Herndon Depot, please contact us at [email protected].

12/06/2020

The Herndon Historical Society will be open for business the Saturday of WinterPlatz! 🎄 Bring your masked selves over to the historic Herndon Depot Museum on Lynn Street on December 12 to purchase holiday gifts for your favorite Herndonites. While you're there, enter a FREE raffle for a holiday gift basket valued at $75!! 😍 Overflowing with Herndon books, maps, post cards, a frameable depot sketch and a replica wooden Herndon Depot sign, it makes a perfect gift, or keep it for yourself to enjoy ... or maybe a little of both! 🤗 (Note - one ticket per person; access to the Depot will be limited.) So "run" on by the Depot next Saturday between 12:00 and 5:00 for your piece of Herndon history. We look forward to seeing you then! 🚂

12/04/2020

Are looking for a gift for someone who likes airplanes and local history? This week’s book is “Washington Dulles International Airport,” written by local historian Margaret Peck. This book is a great gift for someone who would like to see a variety of photos and informative captions about the beginnings of Dulles Airport and how it impacted the local farming areas. If you would like to make an appointment to come purchase this book or any other Historical Society merchandise at the Herndon Depot, please contact us at [email protected].

12/02/2020

Herndon Historical Society's cover photo

12/01/2020

Remembering Herndon's History: The Early Days Of Reston

Howdy, neighbors! 😃

https://patch.com/virginia/herndon/remembering-herndons-history-early-days-reston

Barbara Glakas diverges from detailing Herndon's history to recount the early days of the town's neighboring community, Reston.

11/30/2020

Another great gift for someone who likes local Civil War history is “We Once Met by Chance.” Written by Civil War historian and Herndon Historical Society member, Chuck Mauro, this book follows the lives of two Army officers John S. Mosby and Charles Russell Lowell, and two locals Laura Ratcliffe and James Robinson, and shows those lives overlapped during the American Civil War. If you would like to make an appointment to come purchase this book or any other Historical Society merchandise at the Herndon Depot, please contact us at [email protected].

11/27/2020

Looking for a gift for someone who likes photographs? This “Herndon, Then and Now” book will fill the bill. As the title says, this book shows you photos of old Herndon and juxtaposes them with photos from today. If you would like to make an appointment to come purchase this book or any other Historical Society merchandise at the Herndon Depot, please contact us at [email protected].

11/23/2020

This week’s book highlight is “Around Herndon,” written by local historian Margaret Peck. This book is a great gift for someone who would like to see a variety of photos and informative captions about 20th century life in Herndon and Floris. If you would like to make an appointment to come purchase this book or any other Historical Society merchandise at the Herndon Depot, please contact us at [email protected].

11/16/2020

Looking for gifts for a Civil War buff who wants to know more about Mosby’s 1863 raid in Herndon? In “Reminiscences” Herndon resident Kathyrn “Kitty” Kitchen Hanna, born in 1830 and interviewed in 1906, recalls what happened in Herndon during the raid and during the battle in Manassas. Our Mosby’s Raid Reenactment booklet includes stories about the raid and its Union and Confederate participants. If you would like to make an appointment to come purchase these books or any other Historical Society merchandise at the Herndon Depot, please contact us at [email protected].

11/09/2020

Looking for holiday gifts for kids? We have two great books: “A Day in Herndon” for the young ones, following farm animals take a field trip around Herndon. And we have the Herndon History Hunt Activity booklet for the grades schoolers. If you would like to make an appointment to come purchase these books or any other Historical Society merchandise at the Herndon Depot, please contact us at [email protected].

11/09/2020

Herndon Historical Society

Interesting article about the Herndon Depot!

https://patch.com/virginia/herndon/remembering-herndons-history-how-depot-was-saved

11/09/2020

Want to get a little shopping done early?

Looking for gifts for the holidays? Our wooden replica HERNDON Depot sign is a winner! They come in four sizes: 15, 28, 40 and 54 inches. If you would like to make an appointment to come purchase this item or any other Historical Society merchandise at the Herndon Depot, please contact us at [email protected].

11/05/2020

Remembering Herndon's History: How The Depot Was Saved

https://patch.com/virginia/herndon/remembering-herndons-history-how-depot-was-saved

Barbara Glakas explains how community efforts helped to save the historic Herndon Depot from destruction.

11/04/2020

A great gift for those who live in Herndon!

Looking for gifts for the holidays? Our wooden replica HERNDON Depot sign is a winner! They come in four sizes: 15, 28, 40 and 54 inches. If you would like to make an appointment to come purchase this item or any other Historical Society merchandise at the Herndon Depot, please contact us at [email protected].