Gum Springs, Virginia
Gum Springs is a community in Fairfax County in Hybla Valley along Route 1 (Richmond Highway). The African American community, the oldest in the county,[1] was established in 1833 by West Ford, a freedman who had been manumitted by Hannah Bushrod Washington (widow of John Augustine Washington), in 1805.[2][3] A historical marker (Number E-04) was erected by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in 1991.[4]
History
Founding
In 1833, Gum Springs was founded by West Ford, a freed slave, skilled carpenter, and manager on George Washington's plantation, Mount Vernon.[5] Ford was able to develop this 214-acre farming community from the sale of land he inherited from Hannah Washington, the sister-in-law of George Washington. By 1866, Ford was the second richest free black farmer in Fairfax County, Virginia. Gum Springs Farm became the nucleus of an African-American community throughout the 1800s.
Gum Springs School
The school was established after the Civil War.[6]
Bethlehem Baptist Church
The church was established in 1863.[7]
Odd Fellows Hall
The Pride of Fairfax Lodge #298, former Odd Fellows Hall. is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.[8]
Joint Stock Club
In 1890, the Joint Stock Club was formed by five men. This endeavor helped create a safe place for African Americans to obtain land. All land was collaboratively bought, sold and subdivided at cost to other African Americans at a price of $30 an acre.[2]
Snowden Cemetery
Woodland Baptist Church
Gum Springs Historical Society and Museum
Gum Springs Historical Society and Museum[9] is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Gum Springs Community and regularly disseminates information that tells the story of the Community's economic struggle and dedication to building an African-American community. A historical marker is located at the corner of Richmond Highway and Fordson Road ( 38° 44.909′ N, 77° 4.965′ W).[10]
Notable people
- West Ford
- Saunders B. Moon
- Annie M. (Dandridge) Smith
- Reverend Samuel K. Taylor
References
- ^ "Gum Springs Historical Society and Museum". www.virginia.org.
- ^ a b "Preserving African American Heritage -Gum Springs". The Zebra. February 7, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ Blechman, Barbara H. (1985-03-21). "Black History Museum Considered for Gum Springs". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
- ^ Historical Marker Database. "E-94 Gum Springs Historical Marker". The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
- ^ "Did George Washington Have an Enslaved Son?". The New Yorker. March 4, 2022.
- ^ Casper, Scott E. (20 January 2009). Sarah Johnson's Mount Vernon: The Forgotten History of an American Shrine. ISBN 9781429931212.
- ^ "Bethlehem Baptist Church Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org.
- ^ "Pride of Fairfax Lodge #298, Fairfax County, DHR No. 029-6069". www.dhr.virginia.gov.
- ^ "Taking Pride in 175 Years of History". Mount Vernon Gazette. May 21, 2009. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ "E 94 Gum Springs Historical Marker". Historical Marker Database. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
Further reading
- Casper, Scott E. (20 January 2009). Sarah Johnson's Mount Vernon: The Forgotten History of an American Shrine. ISBN 978-0809084159.
- Bryant, Linda Allen (2004). "I Cannot Tell a Lie: The True Story of George Washington's African American Descendants. ISBN 0595664423.
- "A Certain Pride of Gum Springs". YouTube. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- "A Guide to Gum Springs Virginia Collection, 1915-1951". Virginia Heritage Guide to Manuscripts and Archival Collections in Virginia. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
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Coordinates: 38°44′25″N 77°04′56″W / 38.74028°N 77.08222°W
- Articles with short description
- Short description with empty Wikidata description
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- Unincorporated communities in Fairfax County, Virginia
- Unincorporated communities in Virginia
- African-American history of Virginia
- Populated places established in 1833
- 1833 establishments in Virginia