Morven Park, the 1,200-acre historic property operated by the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation, serves as Loudoun County’s “Rallying Point” for this program. The project represents a partnership funded by Visit Loudoun, Morven Park, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA), Lansdowne Resort, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

Consulting partners for the project include Virginia Civil War Trails, the Loudoun County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, the Journey Through Hallowed Ground, and the Mosby Heritage Area Assn.

Loudoun County’s Civil War Rallying Point, Morven Park kicked off the tourism program on Saturday, March 3, by commemorating the 150th anniversary of the departure of the 17th Mississippi. This Confederate regiment camped on the grounds of Morven Park during the first winter of the War.

“This is an area of the country that always sees tourism interest relating to the Civil War,” said Kevin Bowman, manager of Morven Park’s educational programs, “but during the Sesquicentennial especially, people are drawn to this area not only because significant events of the War took place here, but because so much of the history has been preserved. Morven Park is central not only to the sites within Loudoun County, but to significant sites along the mid-Atlantic, including Gettysburg, Antietam, Harpers Ferry, Manassas, and Fredericksburg.”

The most crucial piece of the tourism program is a map that indicates all of the major Civil War sites and regions, the existing Civil War Trails signs, and the Virginia Dept. of Historic Resources historic markers. “This is the first time all these places have been documented on one map and made available to the public,” said Jeremy Harvey, Visit Loudoun’s vice president of marketing.  Maps can be found at Visit Loudoun, Morven Park, the parks operated by NVRPA, and hotels and inns throughout Loudoun County.

The tour begins at Morven Park, where visitors can watch videos about some of the area’s Civil War sites, pick up brochures from those sites, ask questions about the tour, and visit the three Civil War Trail markers on the property. The visit to the Rallying Point center is free, but other sites may include fees. Visitors wishing to tour the Gov. Davis Mansion, the Winmill Carriage Museum, or the Civil War hut sites at Morven Park will be charged the usual fees.

Visitors also can win a free weekend stay at the Glenfiddich House (known as Harrison Hall during the Civil War) in Leesburg’s historic district. Robert E. Lee held a council of war with his high command at Harrison Hall and stayed at the home before launching his invasion of Maryland in September 1862. Glenfiddich House does not have rooms for public rental, so this prize offers a unique opportunity for Civil War history buffs. The winner also will receive dinner for two at a local restaurant and a Loudoun Civil War book collection. Details can be found by clicking on the “Civil War Giveaway” tab on the Visit Loudoun Facebook page.

For more information, visit CivilWar.VisitLoudoun.org or call 703-777-2414, ext. 6625.

Not only will guests be treated to entirely redesigned exhibits within the mansion, but they can witness a reenactment of the 17th Mississippi Regiment as its members pack up their camp and depart Morven Park, just as the Regiment did exactly 150 years ago. Or guests can visit the north side of the property to watch horses and riders from throughout Virginia and Maryland compete in the National Capital Equitation League.

March 3 also marks the launch date for a new tourism program for people visiting regional Civil War sites during the Sesquicentennial years. Morven Park will serve as Loudoun County’s Civil War “Rallying Point,” from which tourists can plan their visits to sites throughout the county and beyond.

The two-month closure allowed Morven Park staff to make significant enhancements to the mansion exhibits, including returning floor colors to the Westmoreland Davis era and re-introducing dozens of collection items (furniture, ceramics, and textiles) that have not been displayed for many years. “Using photos from the Davis years as reference, we have as closely as possible recreated the way the home looked during the days of Gov. and Mrs. Davis,” explained Director of Preservation Jana Shafagoj. “Each room creates a dramatic backdrop to our public tour, focusing on the Davises and their contributions to Virginia’s history.”

Visitors also will be the first to experience the site’s new QR code tour that allows visitors to scan codes and see the Mansion and grounds as they were in the early 1900s. The program utilizes archival photos as well as articles published in Southern Planter magazine while owned by Gov. Davis.

Tours of the mansion and of the Winmill Carriage Museum are available Thursday through Monday, noon to 4 p.m. through the end of March, then Thursday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April through October.

Mansion and Carriage Museum tours will be regularly priced (please see www.MorvenPark.org for details) but all other spectator activities are free for the day.

Morven Park has two entrances; one for the Davis Mansion, Carriage Museum, and Civil War activities accessed from Old Waterford Road from the west, and another for the equestrian center, accessed from the north from Route 15 and Tutt Lane.  Visitors can walk between the venues, but cars cannot cross from one side of the property to the other. Complete directions and a map are available at www.MorvenPark.org/directions.

Morven Park preserves and advances the ideals of Gov. Westmoreland Davis: civic responsibility, sustainable agriculture, and enhancement of life in rural Virginia. Its educational and recreational programming utilizes the site’s 1,200 acres of woodlands, pastures, and open spaces as well as three museums and a sports/equestrian complex. The non-profit organization receives no operating support from federal, state, or local governments.

Saturday, March 3, Schedule of Events
8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
National Capital Equitation League – Indoor arena.

11 a.m.
17th Mississippi Regiment begins firing and drilling demonstrations – Mansion lawn.

12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Mansion opens for tours and Rallying Point program launches – Gov. Davis Mansion.

12:30 p.m.
Tours of replica huts – Site of Confederate encampment.

2 p.m.
Ceremony marking 150th anniversary of 17th Mississippi departure – Mansion lawn.

2:30 p.m.
Reenactment of troop departure – Mansion lawn.

Both Laura Doyle and Melissa Ryburn have roots in Loudoun County, and both have extensive experience with sports played with balls and sports that involve horses, two disciplines that might not traditionally have been considered compatible. “We are delighted to welcome both these professionals from the equestrian and sports worlds,” said Executive Director Frank Milligan. “Their expertise will be vital as we prepare to open our new sports fields this summer and begin to invest in new equestrian facilities.”

Laura Doyle has lived in Lucketts since 1993. She and her husband raised their three children there, all of whom played soccer during their years in Loudoun County schools. Doyle and her husband have both coached youth soccer, as well. The family currently owns three horses, all adopted from the Equine Rescue League in Lovettsville. Doyle’s lifelong connection to horses began during her childhood on Long Island, N.Y., where she competed in equitation and hunter/jumper events. As an adult, she spent years starting young horses, teaching lessons, and developing summer camp programs for young equestrians.

Doyle most recently worked as service manager for Lucketts.net, having previously served as technology assistant at Lucketts Elementary School. “I have always looked for ways to keep things fun as well as educational,” she said. “My goal at Morven Park is to provide a quality venue for the education, training, and showing of equestrian activities across multiple disciplines.”

A graduate of Elon University with a bachelor’s in leisure/sports management, Melissa Ryburn competed in soccer and basketball at Loudoun Valley High School. Before joining Morven Park, Ryburn worked for Women’s Sports Foundation in New York, DMB Sports in Dulles, and for FC Gold Pride, the San Francisco Bay Area women’s professional soccer team. During those years, she developed and managed soccer, field hockey, flag football, basketball, and multi-sport programs and events, including development of leagues and direction of camp programs.

“Given the current shortage of sports fields in Loudoun County, my first priority at Morven Park is to get our new fields up and running this summer,” said Ryburn. “Longer term, our goal is to create a regionally renowned field sports facility, offering year-round programs for youth and adults, hosting local leagues, building our own leagues, and hosting regional and national tournaments and special events.” 

Morven Park is a non-profit organization that is funded by gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations. It receives no ongoing funds from local, state, or federal government. Operated by the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation, Morven Park was once the home of the 55^th governor of Virginia, who developed Morven Park into a model farm. Today, Morven Park reflects and promotes the ideals of Westmoreland Davis: civic responsibility, sustainable agriculture, and improvement of the lives of rural Virginians. For more information, go to www.MorvenPark.org.

The Foundation, which oversees the 1,200-acre Morven Park property adjacent to Leesburg, adopted a new strategic plan for the site in 2010, identifying 28 strategies to achieve four goals: to promote civic leadership, to increase opportunities for the public to enjoy Morven Park’s history and landscape, to promote health and wellness, and to develop a financially sound organization. Key among those 28 strategies was the creation of a master site plan.

Morven Park trustees and staff spent the early months of 2011 meeting with local individuals and organizations with interest and expertise in political and agricultural history, equine sports, nature and the outdoors, and gardening and agriculture. These conversations informed and guided the master planning process and ensured the creation of a vision that will improve Morven Park’s facilities and meet the needs of the greater community.  The plan’s implementation will be largely dependent upon raising outside funding from individuals, corporations,  and foundations.

The master site plan includes separate trail systems for pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians; and easier access to and through Morven Park including addition of roads and trails linking the Davis’ Mansion grounds with the equestrian center and soon to be opened sports fields for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and flag football.  Other highlights include water features; a “Governors’ Walk” that will guide visitors through the gardens and to a new visitors center, the Mansion, a new Coach House Discovery Center, a revitalized Winmill Carriage Museum, and the Turkey Hill educational farm. In addition, the plan calls for extensive enhancements to the equestrian center.

The current equestrian facilities, considered by most users as being well past their primes, will be replaced with new barns, as well as indoor and outdoor arenas. Loudoun Therapeutic Riding, which makes its home at Morven Park, also will build a new indoor arena, stables and offices.

In addition, the Board of Trustees determined, primarily for financial reasons, to discontinue Morven Park’s annual steeplechase race and allocate its resources and fund raising efforts to improve its equestrian facilities and programs for a variety of disciplines including dressage, trail riding, carriage driving, eventing, show jumping, and therapeutic riding.

Morven Park will continue to host the annual Memorial Day weekend Virginia Foxhound Club show, the largest hound show in the world.

A National Register Historic Property, Morven Park was once the home of Gov. Westmoreland Davis of Virginia. Operated by the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation, Morven Park is a non-profit organization that relies on individual donations, memberships, and event income to fund its public programs. It receives no operating funds from local, state, or federal governments.

The scent of hot apple cider and cookies will fill the Gov. Westmoreland Davis mansion on Saturday, Dec. 3, during Morven Park’s annual open house. The public is invited to tour the rooms in their holiday finery, learn about wintertime activities that would have taken place in the Davis era (circa 1920), and have a cookie … or two.

Since Morven Park was not only the home of Virginia’s governor, but was also a working farm, guests will learn about the typical wintertime social activities as well as the planning that would have taken place in preparation for the following spring plantings. Guests also will hear a presentation on how the farm animals and local wildlife prepared for and thrived through the winter.

The open house, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., is $5 for adults and free for children and for Morven Park members.

On the following day, Sunday, Dec. 4, through Jan. 2, from noon to 4 p.m., regularly scheduled tours will showcase holiday décor throughout the Mansion, focusing on similar themes as those featured during the open house. Tours are $5 for adults, $3 for ages 6-12, and free for children under 6 and for members. The “Columns and Carriages” tour of both the mansion and the Winmill Carriage Museum is $9 for adults and $5 for ages 6-12. Open daily except Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The Governor’s mansion will be the setting on Dec. 11 for the First Lady of Virginia’s Holiday Tea. From 1-3 p.m., tea will be served in the home of Virginia First Lady Marguerite Davis. The program begins with a mansion tour to view the holiday decorations, following by a traditional 1920s-style tea. Afterward, participants will make their own Victorian kissing ball. The tea is $25/person or $20 for members. Advance registration is required at www.mpholidaytea.eventbrite.com.

Antiques appraiser Ben Hastings will take a look at family holiday heirlooms and other treasures during a special event at Morven Park on Dec. 17. Beginning at 11:30 a.m., Hastings will guide visitors through the Governor’s mansion, describing the collection and explaining what to look for when purchasing collectibles. Following refreshments, Hastings will offer private appraisals of guests’ heirlooms, beginning at 1 p.m. The tour and appraisal of one object is $20 with additional appraisals available for $10 per item. Pre-registration is required at www.mpantiques.eventbrite.com.

Throughout the month of December, the visitors’ center gift shop will be open from noon to 4 p.m., featuring a new holiday card, tree ornaments, and other unique merchandise.

More than 100,000 people visit Morven Park each year, participating in the programming at the three museums and equestrian center, or enjoying the beautiful scenery, historic gardens, sports fields, Civil War hut site, and hiking trails, all within its 1,200 acres. The public is invited to events in every season, including equestrian competitions, festivals, and hands-on learning programs. A non-profit organization, Morven Park relies on individual donations, memberships, and event income to fund its public programs.

These particular collectors were inspired by the Sesquicentennial Commemoration of the Civil War that began in spring 2011 and will continue throughout the nation for the next four years. But they were further motivated to collaborate on this exhibit because it coincides with the 150th anniversary of one of the most significant battles fought in Loudoun County, the Oct. 21, 1861, Battle of Ball’s Bluff.

The exhibit, “Remembering Ball’s Bluff,” will be open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free. While many items are from the battle itself, other pieces in the exhibit will demonstrate the impact of the War on life in Virginia.

“Literally, this is the first time all these items have been together since the battle 150 years ago,” said one of the exhibitors, Ken Fleming of Purcellville. “This is a rare opportunity to see something that was part of not just Loudoun County history, but U.S. history. To me that’s really special.”

Items on display will include letters, uniforms, items used in daily life, and weapons, as well as letters, newspapers, and photographs. Two swords hold particular interest to local history buffs, even though neither one was used in actual battle. “Both were given separately to officers for their conduct at Ball’s Bluff,” explained Fleming. “Each is one-of-a-kind and this is the first time they’ve been seen together since they were awarded to the officers in 1865. In fact, one of them has never been in public view.”

Other items include rifles and belt buckles fished out of the Potomac, where many Union soldiers drowned after being driven from the bluff. “These are not beautiful items but sometimes rusty relics that at one time someone held in their hand or wore,” said Fleming. “My personal goal in bringing my collection to this exhibit is to reach as many people as possible and bring to life this piece of history in Loudoun County.”

Morven Park, under the operation of the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation, was once the home of Virginia’s 55th governor. It will be the site of the Oct. 22-23 commemoration of the Battle of Ball’s Bluff, hosting an encampment of about 1,000 reenactors who will march to the Ball’s Bluff battlefield for the first reenactment ever to take place there.

More than 100,000 people visit Morven Park each year, participating in the programming at the three museums and equestrian center, or enjoying the beautiful scenery, historic gardens, sports fields, Civil War hut site, and hiking trails, all within its 1,000-plus acres. The public is invited to events in every season, including equestrian competitions, festivals, and hands-on learning programs. A non-profit organization, Morven Park relies on individual donations, memberships, and event income to fund its public programs.