We went to Gunston Hall this weekend, and we had a wonderful time. What? You say you haven't been to Gunston Hall yet? You must go. Here, take my car.
Gunston Hall is the restored residence of George Mason, one of America's founding fathers, and generally deserving of a lot more recognition than history has alloted him. He wrote the Virginia Bill of Rights, which was the basis of the US Bill of Rights, the French Bill of Rights, and the UN Bill of Rights. In fact, the wording of the US Bill of Rights is so similar to Mason's Bill for Virginia, that one is compelled to ask the uncomfortable question of whether Thomas Jefferson should really be getting the credit for authoring the US Bill.
George Mason was one of only three delegates who refused to sign the Declaration of Independence. Not because he disagreed with the principle of it, but because he felt so strongly that we needed a Bill of Rights in place first, before we declared independence. And then later Jefferson wrote that bill. Interesting.
Also, he was a family man, devoted to his wife and nine children. He was heartbroken when his first wife died of "childbed fever."
The house is charming and lovingly restored, the interpreters are well-versed on the revolutionery era, and they let you walk through the whole house and grounds. It's amazing, really, how much access you get. And here's the heart of it all: you'll pretty much have the place to yourself. AND, there is a little red one-room school house in the yard, pictured here, where those nine children learned their three R's. You'll love it.
It's in Lorton. You're driving past rows of town houses and strip malls and others typical sights in Lorton, thinking, where have I come? And then you turn onto a country road, and there you are on a peaceful old plantation, with pleasant interpretive center, gift shop, and picnic grounds off to one side. They're having a Kite Day on March 29th. And lots of other stuff. Totally worth it. Check it out here. And children "Kindergarten and under" get free admission.
2 comments:
Thank you for this glowing review! I search the web for Gunston postings weekly (as PR and Development officer) and when I land on something so thorough and complimentary, must say "thank you". The Kite Festival is fun for all ages. We'll have a fire truck to explore compliments of our Lorton VFD, our ever popular "kite doctor" for a quick mend, and the "bubble lady", who will fill the fields with music, dancing, and lots of bubbles! Please come, it really is a fantastic family day.
Best,
Susan Blankenship
Gunston Hall
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