NOVA Parks News

NOVA Parks commemorated the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to Temple Hall in 1824 with a dedication of two new permanent signs in preparation for the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s visit.

Loudoun Now 

Loudoun Times-Mirror

On Tuesday, September 26 at 2 p.m., NOVA Parks commemorated the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to Temple Hall in 1824. Local leaders participated in a commemoration ceremony to dedicate two new permanent signs at Temple Hall Farm Regional Park in preparation for the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s visit.

A marker was installed for the Lafayette Trail, a national effort to mark the places Lafayette visited as the “Nation’s Guest” as part of the 250th Anniversary of America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A permanent interpretive sign was unveiled that tells the story of Lafayette’s critical role in the American Revolution; his visit to Loudoun County and Temple Hall, home of George Mason’s nephew, William Temple Thomson Mason; and his antislavery view.

While a guest at various Loudoun estates, Lafayette was tended by enslaved workers, despite being adamantly against slavery. Lafayette was quoted as saying “I would never have drawn my sword in the cause of America, if I could have conceived that thereby I was founding a land of slavery.” After the Revolution, he wrote to George Washington suggesting they buy land together where Washington’s enslaved could work as free laborers. Washington indicated interest, but the meeting never occurred.

The interpretive sign is part of a park history series focused on telling a more inclusive and complete history of Northern Virginia. It supports NOVA Parks’ 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, which includes a pillar to foster Belonging by developing programs to engage the various cultures and communities represented in Northern Virginia.

Visit novaparks.com/ParkHistory for more stories uncovered in NOVA Parks.

About NOVA Parks

Founded in 1959 as a conservation organization, NOVA Parks (Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority) represents three counties and three cities — Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, the City of Alexandria, the City of Falls Church, and the City of Fairfax. The regional agency manages 35 parks with 12,380 acres of parkland.

About Temple Hall Farm Regional Park

Temple Hall Farm Regional Park, managed by NOVA Parks, is a working farm in Loudoun County where visitors can meet heritage breed farm animals and experience daily farm activities. Located in Leesburg, Virginia, the park also features interpretive hiking trails to learn about the area’s native plants and animals, equestrian trails, and a variety of farm-inspired ground activities for children. The annual Temple Hall Farm Pumpkin Patch & Sunflower Fields offers pick-your-own pumpkins and sunflowers, wagon rides, pumpkin cannons, food trucks and more daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. September 30 through October 31, 2023.