Historic Collections

Historic Object Collection

The permanent Historic Object Collection consists of nearly six thousand objects dating from the 18th to the mid-20th century, displayed in long-term and changing exhibits at Park Authority historic site museums and parks and in special community outreach exhibits.

Some selected highlights:

• A pair of 18th century American heartback mahogany side chairs, made in Philadelphia and original to Sully
• A 19th century desk on frame, used by the miller at Colvin Run Mill
• A log cabin quilt made in Fairfax County
• A coiled straw basket with lid, attributed to African-Americans living at Fruitvale Plantation near Chantilly
• A broom machine made and used by a man from the Colvin Run community

Other significant collections:

• Quilts, coverlets and clothing dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries
• Civil War-era maps, engravings, and artifacts from Fairfax County
• Handwritten accounts from the Machen family farm at Walney
• The Carlotta Gonzales and Richard Lahey Collection of furniture and folk art
• Memorabilia from the local Grange organization
• Grain sacks from the 19th and 20th centuries
• The Henry Moffett Collection of blacksmith and wheelwright tools, circa 1900-1950
• Collections of 19th century grist milling, cobbler and woodworking tools

Archives Collection

Over four thousand archival items - photographs, maps, letters and other documents - support interpretation of site history, document the period of Park Authority ownership and restoration of historic structures, and preserve the history of site ownership. Similar materials illustrate the early history of Fairfax County communities like Floris, Centreville and Bailey’s Crossroads.

Special collections:

• The Charles Newlon Collection of photographs of Centreville, Virginia
• Oral history transcripts describing daily life in Fairfax County from the early to middle 20th century
• Documentation files for the African-American community at Sully, circa 1746-1850

Research

Access to either the Historic Object Collection or the Archives Collection for research purposes may be arranged. Send email to the Collections Manager or call 703-631-1429.

Volunteering

Help is always needed in Collections! Volunteers assist behind the scenes with annual inventory, installation of special exhibits, and researching, cataloging, cleaning and storing historic artifacts. Collections Management volunteers receive special training in handling and moving museum objects. If you are detail-oriented and enjoy working with antiques and historic objects, send email to the Collections Manager or call 703-631-1429.