Oral History: John Hawthorne

John Hawthorne grew up in Northern Virginia and talks about childhood, development, and community action against excessive growth. He describes the early years of Ravensworth Farm.

Oral History: Wes Hatfield

Wes Hatfield moved to Fairfax County in 1968 after a tour of military duty in Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force. After military retirement, he entered the real estate business. He discusses housing development and transportation in the region.

Oral History: Tom Giska

Tom Giska joined the faculty as a science teacher at Lake Braddock High School in 1974, the school's second year in operation. He discusses the growth of the school and historic events in the early history of Fairfax County. Tom Giska has compiled a comprehensive history of the Burke area including people and events.

Oral History: Eileen Garnett

Eileen Garnett moved to Annandale in 1972. She reminisces about development that came to support increasing numbers of homes and subdivisions. She describes the revitalization project which she helped found in the 1980s and continues to guide. The revitalization project worked to upgrade the business district in Annandale.

Oral History: John Fox

John Fox was seventeen when his family moved to Annandale in 1939. His father started the Annandale Volunteer Fire Department, and John Fox served with that department. He describes the technology of fire fighting and major blazes facing the volunteers.

Oral History: Richard Ernst

Richard Ernst was the first president of Northern Virginia Community College and served in that capacity for 30 years. He discusses the growth of the institution since 1968.

Oral History: Elly Doyle

Elly Doyle moved to Fairfax County during the early 1950s. A civic activist and former member and chairman of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board, she traces the development of the activities of county parks and her role in that growth.

Oral History: Aubrey Chason

Aubrey Chason's family moved to Annandale in 1931 when he was three years old. He remembers childhood activities, going to school, the area's rural character before development, the home front in World War II, and working for local companies. Aubrey's wife, Ann Chason, joins the discussion near the end of the interview.

Oral History: Edward Carr

Edward Carr took over his father's development firm,
a major corporation in Northern Virginia. He describes the acquisition, planning, development, and home building which his family initiated in the district.

Oral History: Jack Burkholder

Jack Burkholder moved to Fairfax County in 1956. He served as a teacher and in various administrative roles before becoming Superintendent of Schools for Fairfax County. Growth marked his tenure in the school system. He remembers how the school system changed, including the role of teachers' unions, desegregation, and curriculum change.