The Freeman Store and Museum was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on 5/15/2012.
Details to follow on a small dedication ceremony in the fall. Stay tuned.
-
Breaking News Announcement!! Freeman Store & Museum now on the National Register of Historic Places
-
The Unfriendly Skies – Lecture by WW2 B17 & B24 Pilot, Bernard T. Nolan – June 12, 2012 7:30 PM Vienna Town Hall
Historic Vienna, Inc. will present a lecture by World War II veteran, NASA program manager and author Lt. Col (Ret.) Bernard T. Nolan, on Tuesday, June 12 at 7:30 PM in the Council Chamber of Vienna’s Town Hall. Mr. Nolan is the author of “Isaiah’s Eagles Rising,” relating the journey of one young airman from boyhood to completion of a combat tour with the US Army Air Force’s 8th Bomber Command. Realism and little known details are provided in his discussion of evolving technology, ever changing tactics, what it is like to be shot down and the comparison of two pivotal aircraft, the B-24 and B-17, both of which Mr. Nolan flew in combat. The lecture is free and open to the public, refreshments will be served. This event is free to the public and is a unique chance to hear about the skills required to fly these dangerous missions. Mr. Nolan will have autographed copies of his book for sale at this event. A brief question and answer period will follow the talk. For more information call 703 938 5187.
“My lecture reviews the history of the Eighth Air Force and its role in the air campaign in Western Europe during WW II. It is the story of a battle lost by the Eighth to the Luftwaffe during 1943 as the result of unacceptable attrition, and how and why the Luftwaffe was in turn beaten by mid 1944. I focus on the origins of strategic bombing and its objectives, the build-up of the Eighth, the combat environment, survival odds, tactics, formations and how they were assembled and a typical bomb group. A few personal anecdotes are tossed in. The lecture is supported by many visual aids including diagrams and photographs – many in color –most of which were obtained from the USAF archives.” – Bernard Nolan
Book by Bernard T. Nolan
Bernard Nolan’s entire life has been spent in aerospace related activities including 22 years in the USAF as an active pilot. Nolan flew 33 missions in B-24s and B-17s with the 8th Bomber Command in Europe in 1944. Following his combat experiences, he was retrained as a transport pilot and flew North Atlantic and other routes for ten years. Thereafter he held various staff jobs until leaving the Air Force in December 1965 to accept a job with NASA.
Nolan held a Command Pilot rating and the regular rank of Lt. Col. on retirement. His combat decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals.
Nolan’s NASA career spanned 15 years with NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC where he worked in various program management assignments. He was the program manager for NASA’s Airborne Geoscience Program and served as program manager for Landsat Operations. Following his “retirement” from NASA in 1981, he worked as an independent consultant to NASA and as a senior engineer for Science Applications International Corporation.
Nolan graduated cum laude from the University of Maryland in 1959. He is married to the former Sarah (Sunny) Davis of Charleston, South Carolina. The couple has two adult children.
Bernard Nolan is the author of a history book entitled Isaiah’s Eagles Rising and is the co author of the novel Wild Blue Murder.
-
Civil War Movies on the Green: The Great Locomotive Chase May 19th – 8:00 PM
The Great Locomotive Chase is the movie for the evening of Saturday May 19th at 8:00 pm
Movie introduction and remarks by local historians: Learn about Vienna’s history during the Civil War and enjoy a movie under the stars!
Free admission. Free popcorn.
Cold drinks for sale by Historic Vienna, Inc.
Bring a blanket or chair. No alcohol permitted.Weather Permitting. Call (703) 255-7842 for weather information two hours before showtime.
Movie introduction and remarks by local historians: Learn about Vienna’s history during the Civil War and enjoy a movie under the stars!
Free admission. Free popcorn. Cold drinks for sale by Historic Vienna, Inc. Bring a blanket or chair. No alcohol permitted.
Weather Permitting. Call (703) 255-7842 for weather information two hours before showtime.
Future Movies and Showtimes
June 2: Shenandoah – 8:15 p.m.
June 16: Gone with the Wind – 8:15 p.m.
-
Vienna Woods Exhibit at Freeman Store – May 2012
Historic Vienna Inc. announces a small new exhibit “The History of Vienna Woods, The Early Years: 1951-1955”. The exhibit is the first phase of one of Historic Vienna’s newest research initiatives.
Did you know that in 1951 $14,750 -15,500 bought you a three bedroom one bathroom brick rambler on ¼ acre in Vienna?
Come learn about the Yeonas Company’s involvement in Vienna’s rapid post World War Two population growth, when Vienna changed from a sleepy country village to a growing modern Washington suburb. Explore the different house models offered and the special features and options. Find out the origin of some of Vienna Woods’ street names.
This exhibit will be up for the month of May, and possibly into June, at the Freeman Store, 131 Church Street NE, Vienna 22180. It is open Wednesday through Sunday, 12 noon to 4 pm, closed Monday and Tuesday.
Contact Anne Stuntz with any questions 703 994 9054, stuntzag@aol.com.
-
Historic Vienna Used Book Sale – Saturday, June 9 & Sunday, June 10, 2012
Historic Vienna, Inc. will hold our annual Used Book Sale on Saturday, June 9 from 9 to 4 and Sunday, June 10 from 12 to 5 pm on the side lawn of the Freeman House, 131 Church Street, NE. The sale includes thousands of books in many categories, including fiction, biography, travel, cookbooks, classics, how-to, history, and many more. There is a large selection of children’s books. Books are priced at $1.00 for any paperback and $2.00 for any hard cover, with children’s books and “treasures” priced separately. All proceeds of the sale benefit the programs of Historic Vienna, Inc. For information call 703 938 5187 or visit www.historicviennainc.org.
Historic Vienna, Inc. is collecting books starting May 1st for our fund raiser, the Used Book Sale (Sat June 9 and Sun June 10). Donations are tax deductible and may be brought in to the Freeman Store, 131 Church Street NE from 12 to 4 Monday thru Friday or left on the front porch at any time. We ask that you please do not leave encyclopedias, textbooks or magazines of any kind or “Reader’s Digest” type books. These do not sell and HVI volunteers must dispose of them, using valuable volunteer hours. For questions or information call 703 938 5187.
Books may be brought to the Freeman Store during open hours (and you may get a receipt) or left on the porch at any time.
Thank you for your donations and we hope to see you at the sale.
-
Freeman Store and Museum’s Virginia Landmarks Dedication!!
The Vienna Community is invited to join members of Historic Vienna, Inc. on April 21, 2012, at 2 pm on the side lawn of the Freeman Store and Museum for the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the Store’s inclusion on the Virginia Landmarks Register. This event will take place rain or shine. Tented seating will be available in event of rain and refreshments will be served inside.
The Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) has determined that the Freeman Store and Museum meets the Commonwealth’s standards in that it is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history (commerce, military, politics and government) and it is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past (Leon Freeman).
The event will feature keynote speakers: Mayor M. Jane Seeman, Delegate Mark Keam, and Senator Chap Peterson. Representative Gerry Connolly is a special guest. The Reverend Doctor Kenny Smith will provide the Invocation. The American Legion Color Guard opens the ceremony and the 17th Virginia Infantry Regiment, Co. D, “Fairfax Rifles” Living History Society Color Guard will provide a closing volley. Musical accompaniment provided by the Vienna Community Band. Celebratory refreshments will be served immediately following the ceremony. The Freeman Store along with the Civil War museum exhibit: Vienna Awakens to War will be open before and after the ceremony. This event is a Virginia Civil War Sesquicentennial sponsored event. For further inquiry please email 1SJBrady@gmail.com or telephone 703-200-7806.
17th Virginia Infantry Regiment, Co. D, "Fairfax Rifles"
Vienna Community Band
-
War of 1812 Exhibit planned for Freeman House Museum
Historic Vienna, Inc. is preparing a War of 1812 exhibit at the Freeman House Museum. If anyone has artifacts or memorabilia from that era and would be willing to loan to them HVI for our exhibit, please call Rose Mulville at 703 938 1791.
-
HVI Mission Statement, Board Members and Membership Application – Please click link to view and download PDF
-
Historic Vienna Volunteers NEEDED!
Historic Vienna welcomes and treasures volunteers to work one time, regularly, or for special events. It is a great way to meet new people and have fun while providing a very valuable service to your organization. Please take a moment and browse the many events and activities where we need volunteers from the list below. If you have some time to devote, I would love to hear from you. You can specify when, where and how much time you are willing to give. If you need more information, or just want to talk it through out loud, please call me at 703-938-1734 (if I am not in, please leave a message and I will get back to you quickly). If you are willing and so desire, just email me at melshirlmccoy@verizon.net and give me your name, activity (store) and/or event you prefer including days when you are available and how much time you wish to give. Thanks so much for considering this. We need your help.
Shirley McCoy – Historic Vienna Inc. board member and Volunteer Coordinator
Please consider the following opportunities for you to help our group provide quality programs and services to our community:
Freeman House Tours –library and store
Little Library – usually open once a month on Sunday afternoons
Book sorting for our annual book sale – Saturday mornings in May and early June
Book Sale – June 8 through June 10, 2012
Walk on the Hill
Special events ( reenactments, performances on the lawn, Santa Claus visits, Viva Vienna, Stroll on Church Street, Easter Egg Roll etc.)
-
Civil War Sesquicentennial Events – Vintage Baseball Game
A REALLY UNIQUE SESQUICENTENNIAL EVENT – CIVIL WAR ERA BASEBALL COMES TO VIENNA
Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 23rd from 11 am to 6:30 pm – Civil War Era baseball is coming to town! Look for the games at the field area closest to the Vienna Community Center, 127 Cherry Street. This joint effort by the Town of Vienna, The Vienna Sesquicentennial Committee, and Historic Vienna, Inc. will bring three well-known vintage baseball teams: Elkton Eclipse, the Chesapeake Nine of Baltimore and the Old Dominions. There will also be re-enactors of the period including the Magnetic Telegraph Company (TMTC), a local hometown group who pride themselves on authenticity. We will be recreating a Civil War era community where the baseball games would have been played so plan to come for the day or just drop by to catch a single game or even a few innings – the event will be fun and informative for all.
In addition, the Vintage Baseball event is a gift to teens and kids, as the teams love to teach and skills classes and pick up games will be held throughout the day. The classes and pick up games will be organized by age groups, but children under 7 are a bit too young. Some old fashion design bats and balls will be available for use and souvenirs of each are available for purchase for a nominal fee. For more information on this event call 703 200 7806 or visit SHBrady@gmail.com.
The tentative schedule is as follows:
- 11 am First game, all exhibits open, skills classes offered
- 12:30 pm Pick up games for kids and teens
- 2:00 pm Second game, skills classes offered
- 3:30 pm Pick up games for kids and teens
- 5:00 pm Third game
- 6:00 pm Exhibits close
May 5 – June 16 Civil War Film Festival on Town Green
