Oral History: Robert Frye

Robert Frye moved to Fairfax in 1967. Three times a member of the Fairfax County School Board--both appointed and elected--Bob Frye worked for equal opportunity in the county as the area emerged from the era of segregation to diversity. He was the first minority member-at-large on the School Board.

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: Jim Dillard

By 2005, Jim Dillard had served in the Virginia House of Delegates for 32 years. He analyzes the political scene in the Braddock District, finances, diversity, and growth and change in state and local government.

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.

Oral History: Sharon Bulova

The Honorable Sharon Bulova represents the Braddock District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, serving as Vice Chairman. Sharon Bulova initiated "A Look Back at Braddock" and speaks about her goals and her life in the county since 1966.

Burke International Airport Proposal, Letter of Opposition

A 1951 letter from Paul C. Kincheloe, Chairman of the Northern Virginia Committee Opposed to a Supplemental Airport at Burke, Virginia. This letter to Kincheloe's unnamed senator argued against support for the airport.

Courtesy Susanne Fowler Neale

Burke International Airport Proposal, Land Auction Announcement

In 1959, the federal government advertised the sale at auction of land originally purchased and consolidated to construct an international airport at Burke. When an alternate site in Chantilly was chosen, almost 900 acres of land formerly designated for the airport passed to the Fairfax County Park Authority. Burke Lake and Burke Lake Park were built on that land.

Information courtesy of Frederic Kielsgard and Ross Netherton (from Memories of Beautiful Burke)

Delbert [Bill] Sheads and Doris Hollis, Wedding, World War II

Delbert [Bill] Sheads was drafted when he was 19 years old and inducted into the U.S. Army in January 1943. and was assigned to the 113th Armored Cavalry Reconnaissance Regiment. He and his girlfriend, Doris Hollis, attended Fairfax High School together, and were engaged before Bill left. They decided to marry when Bill came home on a ten-day pass in July 1943 before going overseas to Europe. They rushed to Falls Church for blood tests, and then to the County Courthouse in Fairfax, which was closed. Mr. Tom Chapman, Clerk of the Court came to the rescue, unlocked the courthouse and gave them their marriage license. They were married on July 30 in the old Good Shepherd Church, located where the current Twinbrooke Shopping Center now stands. While Bill was deployed, Doris worked at Ft Belvoir as a typist and secretary.

Courtesy Delbert [Bill] Sheads

Ration Book, World War II

During World War II, ration coupons, issued to individuals in book format, specified what and how much people could purchase of items in limited supply because of the war. Cooking oil, coffee, automobile gasoline, and sugar were among rationed items.

Courtesy Olga Robinson

Fairfax County Police, 1941

Fairfax County Police Department, June 1941. Left to right. Front row: Det. Sgt. Henry Magarity, Alton Poole, Chief Carl McIntosh, Sgt. Lewis Finks, James Mahoney. Second row: Joseph Howard, Willard Mohler, Paul Dove, Grafton Wells. Third row: James "Willie" Maley, Richard Utz, George Berry, James Thomas. Fourth row: James Dodson, Augustine Collins, Cecil Brown, not named. Back row: James Revercomb. The Fairfax County Police Department was organized from the Sheriff's Office on July 1, 1940 to serve an area of approximately 400 square miles. Police pictured on the first row served as first officers and chief from the time the department was organized.

Courtesy Lee Hubbard