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Green Spring Gardens 4603 Green Spring Road Alexandria, Virginia 22312 703-642-5173 The historic house, set amid the gardens at Green Spring, was built in 1784. Visitors can enjoy changing art exhibits, enjoy tea with a tour or presentation, and visit our unique Museum Shop. The house is open Wednesday-Sunday, noon-4:30 p.m. For more information, call 703- 941-7987. A Brief History In 1784, John Moss built a brick house on 540 acres of farmland in Alexandria. The reclaimed tobacco fields that Moss and his family cultivated produced corn, wheat, oats and rye and supported cattle and pigs until 1843 when Moss' grandson Alfred, sold the farm. The next long-term owner, Fountain Beattie, rode with his friend Col. Mosby during the Civil War. Between 1878 and 1917, Beattie raised 12 children, dairy cattle, fruit and vegetables at Green Spring. The farm's proximity to one of Virginia's best rural roads, Little River Turnpike, gave Beattie access to major area markets. In 1942, Michael and Belinda Straight purchased the house and 33 acres surrounding it. Although they raised cattle, the Straights were not farmers. Michael Straight was an editor and publisher and often entertained interesting guests like Aldous Huxley and Hubert Humphrey at his "out of town villa". A boxwood hedge designed by landscape architect Beatrix Farrand was planted in a semicircle behind the house, and a variety of trees and shrubs were added to the property. After 30 years of living on what had become an island of undeveloped land, the Straights deeded their house and 16 acres to the Fairfax County Park Authority in 1970. The Park Authority purchased 11 additional acres to create Green Spring Gardens Park.