This is one of three locations where you can find historical markers for the Battle of Brandy…read moreStation, the largest battle predominately fought by mounted soldiers in North America and de-facto start of the Gettysburg campaign. Of the three sites, this is closest to the ford so technically it should be the first stop if you're going to hit all three in the order of the fighting. Not a lot to see here thought; just an empty field with a very short mowed walking path. The other two historic markers are at 20362 Fleetwood Heights Rd (which had a separate Yelp entry) and the corner of St James Church Rd / Beverly Ford Rd (my GPS read it at about 13198 St James Church Rd). Each is only a few minutes drive away. Ironically, of the three, the St James Church Rd location is probably the most interesting - yet it's the only one without a Yelp entry. To see the other location, look here. http://www.yelp.com/biz/battle-of-brandy-station-brandy-station And yes there is hunting in the area; I waved at some guys who had their bright orange vests on. If you keep going over the concrete bridge, you will be rewarded with several other historic markers on the hill.

I came in March for a fun Women's History month celebration. I learned all about Hattie Sewell whom…read moremanaged the tea house in 1920. She was quite the businesswoman and she increased business dramatically. Unfortunately, Park managers decided not to renew her contract to run the tea house because neighbors complained about her just because she was a black woman. There are no known photographs of her. It only operated as a tea house until the mid-1930s, when it was turned back into a working grist mill. The event had park rangers giving speeches and lots of displays. There was a 20 minute movie to watch in the building nearby. They even had mini cupcakes and sodas for free for visitors. I'm glad I came to see this tiny bit of history in Rock Creek Park that is easy to get to (and park) from my house via Beach Drive.

Small mill with easy access to the grinding stone and nice staff explaining the process. Loved the…read more easy access to the creek and photo ops.

After working in Warrenton for three years, the Old Courthouse majestically presiding over the…read morejunction of Waterloo, Winchester, Alexandria Pike, and Main became something of an old friend. I passed it every time I came to Old Town. It's the landmark to which you refer when giving directions. It's your indication you're leaving the "new" Warrenton and entering the old. On the hour, its bell tolls with a deep, resounding knell. Built in 1890 and the seventh incarnation of the original, the Old Courthouse is beautiful edifice modeled after the Parthenon. Towering over the ivory building is an absolutely *enormous* American Elm that has grown there for over 100 years, surviving against traffic, paving, Dutch Elm disease, and even a few accidents in its day. Despite its constant presence in my life for several years, I'd never actually been *inside* the Old Courthouse until I returned to Warrenton for a former coworker's wedding. She and her husband tied the knot in a simple but lovely civil ceremony in the one and only courtroom in the building. Too bad all courtrooms don't look as stately or as Federal. The gilded-frame portraits, bankers-chair-style chairs, gold chandeliers, and decorative molding reminded me a bit of Independence Hall. The courtroom actually made a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony. If you find yourself in Old Town Warrenton, take a few minutes to walk to the end of Main Street to admire the Old Courthouse. It's a photo opportunity you'll be happy you took.

Must see and must do site on the PWC- Fauquier County line. While the site itself was closed on the…read moreday I visited, I walked the nature trail and was able to see the mill and the all the ruins on the trail. The train still runs by and the water from Broad Run make a spectacular scene. Good for families, solo hikes, or a date. Really special place and important historical site.

I was driving down the interstate and all of a sudden I see this massive structure. I knew it was…read morehistoric. I flew on by realizing it would be painful trying to get there when I was on the same side as it was on my way to Shenandoah. On my way back, I managed to figure out what this place was. It was an old 5 story stacked stone structure built in 1742 that had survived several wars and milled food through all of them. in 1998, it was victimized by arson. The roof is gone, and the building has remanence from the fire. Currently, the mill is blocked off from being accessed. According to their website, they are making updates to the road. I accessed it by the railroad that runs behind the building, but as mentioned, the fence does prevent from access. It was really neat to see and I really wish it wasn't blocked off so I could get closer. It's definitely worth a stop if you're in Broad Run and into history.

Vint Hill is located between Gainesville and Warrenton. It is an emerging destination for locals…read moreand visitors. Vint Hill is a historic place. The U.S. Army operated a cryptology school and an intelligence gathering station at the former sheep and cattle farm during World War II. After the war, the Army used Vint Hill for research and development. The Army discontinued use of the property in 1997. Vint Hill now is open to the public. It is a scenic spot that offers many things to do. For food and beverages, there currently is a brewery, a winery, speciality food shop, cafe serving lunch, and more... These places are all located close to the Cold War Museum. There is a public swimming pool open seasonally. The tiny base movie theater still shows movies. There is a popular dog park. There are a number of park areas that are great for jogging, walking, or just relaxing. At the edge of Vint Hill, is Lake Brittle where you can go fishing, or rent a boat (seasonally). There is also a snack bar here open seasonally. Unfortunately, the park areas and the lake both lack bathroom facilities beyond port-a-potties. There are a number of businesses located at Vint Hill and one church that I am aware of. A lot of land is available for development. I heard that an independent coffee shop is slated to open. That would be great. I only hope that development does not get out of hand and ruin the nature areas that exist here. There is already extensive housing on the backside of Vint Hill. Traffic is not a problem here at present. Fingers crossed that new development is not overwhelming and that no more trees are cut down. Check Yelp reviews for the places located at Vint Hill and plan a visit!

I wish more than this sign. For far too many years schools in the area, denied non white students…read morean education. It's simply unacceptable, and while am grateful more kids of minority backgrounds are getting more of a chance, there's still improvements to be made. It's a joy how diverse this area is. At many schools, international night is a joy. We really have it made here. Luther Jackson's plaque shows a small bit of history. I'm glad this marker is here. Yet can't we have a little more? It's amazing how this school was instrumental in getting rid of separate but equal. Let's see the county do more than this. It's a good plaque, but thinking this historical significant event needs a bit sprucing up.

It's important to remember where we came from so that we know where we're going. And up until the…read moremid-60's, Virginia was in the South with segregation and all sorts of bad stuff. This marker points out some of those times. It reads: "Luther P. Jackson High School, opened in 1954, was the first and only high school in Fairfax County created to serve the African-American community. The school was named after Luther Porter Jackson, a prominent historian, educator and founder of the Negro Voters League of Virginia, who chaired the History Department at Virginia State College in Petersburg, Virginia. The school a remained racially segregated public school until 1965 when it became a racially integrated school for grades seven and eight." The marker is located in front of the school near the drop-off circle.

Walking around Capitol Hill near Eastern Market, my friend and I happened upon this abandoned…read morebuilding behind an antique iron fence. It has a creepy and hypnotic effect, like a decaying mental asylum or the prototypical haunted house. I asked someone what it was but she didn't know. Fascinated, I did some searching on Google and found out that it is the Old Naval Hospital, built around 1866 to house Civil War veteran wounded. The building isn't open to visitors, and seems to be abandoned. I wish this would become a museum, or at least be open to the curious, to some extent. Could at least use a historical marker or sign!

"Ascent" by John Safer is a monumental sculpture that rises like a gleaming exclamation mark at the…read moreentrance of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport. Standing 70 feet tall, this polished steel form twists and tapers upward in a fluid, aerodynamic gesture. It commemorates the human journey of flight and the grandeur of the Museum's collection. Safer believed that sculpture should capture "the essence and reduce the subject to the pure line in space." This is truly metallurgical poetry and when you view it without the museum or the trees in the way, it looks like a rocket launch against the blue sky. [Review 1031 of 2025 - 1515 in Virginia - 24585 overall]

This sculpture is the work of artist John Safer who crafted the piece in 2003. It looks great,…read moreespecially for being 20 years old. This helical shaped sculpture demands your attention. You will find it in the parking lot of the National Air & Space Museum Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center. You cannot miss it as you are approaching the museum. It towers at 75 feet tall and looks like a spiraling contrail of a jet. It is made of polished stainless steel and is an abstract piece whose interpretation is left to the viewer. There are some that believe the sculpture's upward soaring image represents man's desire to soar to the heavens. Safer is a very active artist with his work being featured in over 1,000 museums and embassies worldwide. But most notably and least known, Safer was a WWII veteran and an emeritus board member of the Air and Space museum. I have to admit, I like this piece. It drew me in and I could not take my eyes off of it. The pieces sits in a calming reflection pool with a little waterfall. That is a nice touch and pushed it to five stars for me. I do not know if it is allowed or encouraged, but some people have even thrown some money into the sculpture's reflection pool. The sculpture sits right out of the museum's front door. It is connected by a long walkway and you pass through Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Wall of Honor, a collection of curved stainless steel plaques that line the walkway and lists the names of those that have received the flying cross and those with a passion for flight. This is not a destination piece, but an add on piece. The vast majority of the sculpture's viewers will be visitors of the museum. At $15 to park, I do not see it being a stand alone, even though I believe the first 20 minutes of parking are free. But anyway, this is a nice addition to the museum. I hung out at the sculpture about 10 minutes after I exited the museum. I recommend checking it out up close.