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Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County Virginia
Fairfax County Virginia

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  1. Home
  2. Topics
  3. History of Fairfax County

Topics Alert:

History of Fairfax County

Formed in 1742, Fairfax County has a long and fruitful history.

To learn more about how Fairfax County government operates today, visit the About Fairfax County webpage.

History Commission

The Fairfax County History Commission was established by the County of Fairfax in 1969. The purpose of the Commission is to advise the County Government and to promote and encourage public interest in all matters bearing on the history of Fairfax County.

The Fairfax County History Commission generally meets on the first Wednesday of every month. The Commission's various committees meet on an as-needed basis.

The Commission also sponsors events in local history such as roadside marker dedications and an annual History Conference.

Related Resources

History Commission Historical Resources
Learn More About the History Commission

building and Historic Fairfax titleOlder buildings and neighborhoods in Fairfax County are part of Fairfax County's "heritage resources" and are economic and social investments that pay dividends.

These sites and buildings also tell the history of the built environment in the county, which includes Native American hunting camps and long-term settlements, the tidewater plantations of George Washington and George Mason, Civil and Spanish-American War campsites and training grounds, as well as the 20th century planned town of Reston and its 19th century counterpart Dunn Loring.

Historic and Heritage Resources (Planning and Development)

The Virginia Room collects, preserves, and makes accessible local history resources. Researchers can find historical information on Fairfax County individuals, locations, and events. It is located on the second floor of the City of Fairfax Regional Library.

The Fairfax County Public Library Guide to Local History page serves as a guide to some of our local history resources, such as:

  • researching the history of a Fairfax County property.
  • a timeline of Fairfax County history from the 1700s to today.
  • the real history behind The Bunny Man legend.
Fairfax County Public Library Guide to Local History

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) offers an extensive collection of webpages dedicated to our rich natural history and its conservation.

  • Fairfax County History
     
  • Heritage Conservation - History of Fairfax Website
     
  • Nature and History Website
     
  • Resident Curator Program

YouTube: History of Fairfax County

Learn about some of the significant moments in Fairfax County's history over the last 275 years.

Channel 16: History Videos

 

  • Black History Month Celebration
  • Behind the Prison Wall: The Crucifix
  • Fairfax County Looks Back
  • Historic House at Oak Hill
  • Inventory of Historic Sites
  • Suffrage in the 20th Century

 

  • More History Videos

Department, Agency and Council Histories

  • Fire and Rescue History | Fire and Rescue
  • History of the Clerk's Office | Circuit Court
  • A History of Public Safety Communications and 9-1-1
  • City of Fairfax Regional Library Branch History | Library
  • Timeline History of FCPA
  • Summary of Retirement Systems' History | Retirement Systems
  • History and Background | Human Services Council (fairfaxcounty.gov)

Supervisor District Histories

  • The History of the Sully District | Board of Supervisors - Sully (fairfaxcounty.gov)

Land Use and Development

  • Laurel Hill History | Planning Development

Historic Landmarks and Locations

  • Naming the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit System | News Center (fairfaxcounty.gov)

 

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