Fairfax County History Commission’s 18th Annual History Commission Conference, “WE Are Fairfax County – Part II” in partnership with Fairfax County Park Authority and the City of Fairfax. Host, Lynne Garvey-Hodge, Vice-Chair of the Fairfax County History Commission.
This is the second of four consecutive conferences that chronologically examine the peoples who have lived on this land and called Fairfax County “Home. “This year the conference presented information on the earliest African American churches and communities in Fairfax. The German influence in the Fairfax area from the 18th century. The Woodlawn Quaker anti-slavery colony, early Jewish immigration to Fairfax County and Fairfax County’s earliest Irish citizens.
Guests’ speakers include U.S. Congressman 11th District Gerry Connolly, Chairman Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Jeff McKay, The Honorable David Meyer Mayor of the City of Fairfax. Esther McCullough, Fairfax County History Commission & member of First Baptist Church of Vienna, one of the county’s first Black Baptist churches.
The German Influence in Our Area: The 18th century Germanna Colony: Dr. Eric Larsen, Director of Archaeology, Germanna Foundation.
The Quakers of Fairfax County: Their Heritage & Their Impact: Martha Catlin, Historian, Alexandria Monthly Meeting of Friends at Woodlawn.
Early Jewish Immigration to Fairfax County: Shawn & Susan Dilles, Authors, “The Jewish Community of Northern Virginia.”
Fairfax County’s Earliest Irish Citizens: John Murphy, Charter President,
Fr. Corby Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. Mary of Sorrows RC Church, Fairfax Station, VA.
Looking Beyond the ‘Big Apple’: Investigating the Immigrant Experience in Understudied Communities:
Dr. Martha Pallante, Professor of History, Youngstown University &
Dr. Donna M. DiBlasio, Professor Emerita & Former Director, Ctr. for Applied History, Youngstown University.
