George C. Marshall International Center

10/15/2026

November 3: Election Day is for High School Leaders: A perfect opportunity for students to explore what kind of leaders they want to be.

With Loudoun County Public Schools and other area schools closed for students on Election Day, November 3, high school juniors and seniors can spend the day at the Marshall Center’s FREE, one-day Ethical Leadership Conference.

📅 Tuesday, November 3 | 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
📍 Leesburg, Virginia
🎓 Open to high school juniors and seniors from Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Maryland
💵 Free to attend

Our communities depend on people who think carefully, act with integrity and serve something larger than themselves. George C. Marshall lived those principles as a soldier, statesman and Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Drawing on his example, students will explore how to make thoughtful decisions, lead with integrity and put service to others into practice — in school, on a team, in their community and for years to come.

Know a student ready to lead? Share this post with them, or with a parent, teacher or counselor who does.

Learn more and apply: https://www.georgecmarshall.org/events/elc-nov2026

10/13/2026

Calling all Eagle Scouts in need of a project!

Are you a Scout looking for an Eagle Scout service project? Help the volunteer garden team at Dodona Manor build raised beds for a vegetable garden that provides hundreds of pounds of fresh produce to Loudoun Hunger Relief each year.

Our volunteers tend the garden year-round, and we’re ready to grow! We have plans drawn up and funding available to help cover supplies. With several raised beds needed, there may be opportunities for more than one Scout to take on a project.

Interested? Contact Casey at [email protected] to learn more. Scouting America

Know a Scout working toward Eagle? Please share this opportunity!

10/12/2026

We honor the Native American code talkers whose ingenuity and courage helped Allied forces prevail in World War II.

Comanche code talkers served in the U.S. Army during George C. Marshall’s tenure as chief of staff, including at the Normandy landings. Navajo code talkers served with the Marines in the Pacific. Their Indigenous languages became the foundation for secure battlefield communications that saved lives.

Their contributions carry a powerful lesson: talents rooted in distinct cultures and communities can and do strengthen our nation. At the Marshall Center, we salute the Native American code talkers from dozens of tribal nations whose ingenuity and courage helped Allied forces prevail in World War II.

10/08/2026

One Pass, Endless Discoveries.

Explore Loudoun County’s leading historic and cultural destinations with the Loudoun Heritage Pass.

The discounted package includes admission to Morven Park, Oatlands-National Trust Site, George C. Marshall’s Dodona Manor, the National Sporting Library & Museum and Heritage Farm Museum — making it easy to plan a fall outing with friends, family or a group.

A joint initiative of the George C. Marshall International Center and leading local destinations, the Heritage Pass invites visitors to discover Loudoun’s living landscape and the stories that shaped America.

Passholders also receive 15% off hotel stays at select nearby properties. Passes are valid through December 31, 2026. Spread the word to out-of-town guests who are planning to visit Northern Virginia this fall or next year: https://www.georgecmarshall.org/heritagepass

10/07/2026

In 1947, as the Cold War took shape, Secretary of State George C. Marshall gave a gathering of influential leaders at Princeton a piece of advice:

"You should have … a clear understanding of the institutions upon which human liberty and individual freedom have depended, and the struggles to gain and maintain them."

Marshall offered a warning that history had taught repeatedly: peace cannot be taken for granted. Preserving it requires vigilance, sacrifice and leaders who understand the lessons of the past.

Nearly 80 years later, Marshall’s words also speak to the purpose behind preserving Dodona Manor. More than three decades ago, a group of Loudoun County citizens came together to save his home — not simply as a monument to one remarkable life, but as a place where future generations could encounter Marshall’s legacy and learn from his lifetime of service and leadership.

Our latest story reflects on Marshall’s 1947 message, the importance of understanding history and the continuing work to preserve and share his legacy.

Read “A ‘Clear Understanding’ of the Past”:

10/06/2026

What would a Marshall Plan for the 21st century look like?

The original Marshall Plan helped Europe rebuild after World War II. Today’s global challenges are different, but the question of how nations and communities work together to meet them is as pressing as ever.

As we enter the second quarter of the 21st century, communities and societies worldwide are struggling not only to thrive but also to grapple with new strategic and potentially existential threats.

Join the Marshall Center’s next Foreign Policy Forum on Thursday, October 15, at noon ET on Zoom. Dr. Michael McDonald –Chairman and CEO of OVIAR Global Resilience Systems, Inc. and Executive Director of Health Initiatives Foundation, Inc. in Washington, D.C. – will explore what a new approach inspired by the Marshall Plan might involve, and how we might measure its success.

Register:

A 21st CENTURY MARSHALL PLAN The Marshall Plan played a catalytic role in both accelerating the recovery of post-World War II Europe and ushering in the centricity of strong alliances within the Free World for almost a century under American leadership within a more altruistic, friendly, rules-ba

10/03/2026

OTD in 1917: Speaking Truth to Power

On October 3, 1917, Gen. John J. Pershing visited the First Division in France to observe its trench warfare training. After watching the unit in action, Pershing sharply criticized the division, its officers and especially its commander.

Capt. George C. Marshall believed the criticism did not cover all the issues at play. Though Pershing commanded the American forces in France, Marshall stopped him as he turned to leave and explained how higher headquarters were failing to back the division as it prepared to enter combat operations.

Marshall’s fellow officers feared the confrontation would end his career. Instead, the thick-skinned Pershing listened. On later visits, in fact, he sought Marshall out to ask how things were going.

Marshall’s candor carried a risk. It also gave Pershing something every leader needs: an honest account from someone who knew the work firsthand. Pershing later tapped Marshall to be his aide – an early sign that he was destined for critical leadership roles.

Read the full story from the George C. Marshall Foundation: https://www.marshallfoundation.org/articles-and-features/im-sorry-mr-president-but-i-dont-agree-with-that-at-all/

10/02/2026

Leadership Lessons That Last: Ethical Leadership in Action

“It helped me understand that balance is vital in a strong leader.”

That reflection from a student at our September Ethical Leadership Conference (ELC) captures the power of examining our values—and how they sometimes pull us in different directions. Through an exercise exploring values such as passion and humility, students discovered how finding balance can strengthen their leadership.

Grounded in General George C. Marshall’s example of selfless service, unwavering integrity and visionary leadership, our program helps young people turn these insights into everyday actions.

Applications are open for our next FREE ELC on November 3 in Leesburg. High school juniors and seniors from Northern Virginia, D.C. and Maryland are invited to participate: https://www.georgecmarshall.org/events/elc-nov2026

Read the full recap of the September ELC: https://www.georgecmarshall.org/news/leadership-lessons-that-last-ethical-leadership-in-action

10/01/2026

Helping preserve a piece of Leesburg history! 🏡

At last week’s historic preservation awards ceremony presented by the Joint Architectural Review Board (JARB) and the Loudoun Preservation Society, the Marshall Center received a $2,500 grant to support restoration of the masonry front porch at Dodona Manor, George C. Marshall’s Leesburg home.

Thank you to the Van Huyck Chockley Family Foundation for providing the grant and to JARB and the Loudoun Preservation Society for celebrating preservation efforts across our community!

Read more from Loudoun Now:

Exemplary efforts to preserve historic elements in Loudoun’s built environment were celebrated last week in an awards ceremony presented by the Joint Architectural Review Board and the Loudoun Preservation Society.

09/29/2026

Volunteer Profile: Rick Berry, Marshall Center Docent

What attracted you to becoming a volunteer at Dodona?

In 1970, my parents moved to Leesburg, one block from Dodona. They became acquaintances of Molly and James Winn [Marshall’s stepdaughter and her husband], frequently having morning coffee with them at a nearby coffee shop. Having an interest in architecture and history, I became a docent in 1998 before the house was restored, and then when it opened after the restoration from 2005 to the present.

What is your favorite part of being a volunteer?

I had the privilege of giving the Marshalls’ grandchildren – including Molly, Clifton and Allen – tours on opening day 2005. It is important to share with visitors Marshall’s life, character, leadership, legacy and relevance in our day. I enjoy hearing from visitors their appreciation of Marshall, like the person who grew up in Austria during World War II and became very emotional at the end of a tour saying, “now I know why my mother said we have hope.”

Thank you, Rick for your dedication and hard work!

Book a tour of Dodona Manor: www.georgecmarshall.org/Dodona