Oral History: Stewart Lynn and Becky Bryce

The Bryce family represents four generations of Fairfax County residents. They discuss daily life growing up in the country from the time of dirt roads to present-day development.

Oral History: Ernest (Buddy) Belote

Ernest (Buddy) Belote can trace his family roots in Northern Virginia to pre-Revolutionary days. His ancestor, Colonel William Fitzhugh of Bedfordshire, England, purchased about 22,000 acres of land in Northern Virginia and began cultivating what would become one of the largest tobacco plantations in Northern Virginia. The property encompassed the current Ravensworth neighborhood in the Braddock District. After discussing the Fitzhughs, Buddy Belote talks about his career in radio and television news, his daughter's Olympic swimming achievements, and Braddock District development.

A Look Back at Braddock Oral History Project

Oral History: Jennifer Cornelson Addington

Jennifer Cornelson Addington grew up in Old Burke where her family lived in Whiteoaks, the original edifice of the Burke Elementary School. She reminisces about her childhood and neighborhood growth.

A Look Back at Braddock Oral History Project

Kings Park Realty Advertisements

Kings Park was part of the growth of suburban communities in the Braddock District during the 1960s. Most residents were families with a stay-at-home mother, and community activities for children and adults developed including Friday night movies for children, adult dinner dances, and sports teams.

Courtesy Robert Hunt

Fairfax County Bookmobile, 1960

During the 1960s, bookmobiles brought library materials to new suburban communities because libraries themselves were far away. During the summer, the bookmobile came about every three weeks to some neighborhoods and children looked forward to their arrival.

Virginia Room, Fairfax County Public Library

Fairview Elementary School, World War II Stamp Drive

During World War II, elementary school children in the Braddock District joined in home front support of the war. Children would buy stamps, put them in books, and trade in each completed book for a war bond to help the war effort.

Simpson Family: Top 'o the Hill Gang

Four young friends, (l to r) Bernice Rice, Mildred Simpson, James Wycoff, and Virginia Simpson at Spring Grove Farm, circa 1935. With no electronic entertainment, children played outside and with each other as late as they could.

Courtesy Suzanne Fowler Neale

Child's Doll, Sweetie Pie

Sweetie Pie was the childhood doll of Suzanne Fowler Neal. Sweetie Pie even played the Baby Jesus in a Christmas Eve Pageant at Burke Methodist Church.

Courtesy Suzanne Fowler Neal

Patty's Riding School, Burke, Virginia

Patty Ruffner's Riding School in Burke, Virginia, advertised in the Fairfax Times Herald, June 8, 1956. The advertisement read: "PATTY'S RIDING SCHOOL Near Fairfax at Burke Offers Lessons In Riding and Jumping. Lessons: 6 1-Hour - 12.00. Trail Riding: 8 1-Hour - 10.00. Call Mrs. Ruffner - CR 3-4875."
Patty's was the main riding stable in the local area, and horses could travel across areas that are main roads today. In the 1970s, the Ruffner's sold the land for development and it now forms part of the Rollingwoods Estates subdivision. The original house, called Kings Grant and its outbuildings remain, surrounded by newer homes.

Photo by Gilbert Donahue

Copyrighted material, not to be reproduced without permission of owner, Gilbert Donahue

Lee Highway Drive-In Movie Theater, circa 1950

Lee Highway Drive-in Movie Theater, Merrifield, Virginia, circa 1950. The movie theater was an entertainment center for families, since parents could take children along in the car.

Photograph from Fairfax County Public Library, Virginia Room, Photographic Archive, Hill Collection