In 1649, the land that would become Fairfax County was given by England’s King Charles II to seven Englishmen. Thomas, the sixth Lord Fairfax, obtained the land in 1719. The county was named after him. In the late 18th century, the introduction of roads, mills and farms aided the county’s growth. The county’s land was decreased during this time. Sections of Fairfax County were used to create other counties and the District of Columbia. The county was the home of famous individuals like George Washington and George Mason.

Fairfax County and its many communities abound with history. On July 21, 1861, Abraham Lincoln’s review of the troops after the 1st battle of Manassas took place in Baileys Crossroads. Approximately 50,000 troops paraded through Baileys Crossroads in the largest military review of its time. Two major Civil War battles, 1st and 2nd Manassas, occurred south of the county. Fairfax County experienced minor Civil War battles of its own.

Fairfax County has transformed from its rural, agricultural roots into a thriving, technologically-driven urban area. The county hosts many exciting annual events including Celebrate Fairfax, Chocolate Lovers Festival, Jazz and Blues Festival and the Mount Vernon Wine Festival. Multiple gardens and Civil War sites are located within the county including Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens in nearby Alexandria. Mount Vernon, George Washington’s mansion, features exhibits and working plantation activities. Residents enjoy the many retail shopping areas and recreational areas.

A number of national and state parks provide plenty of recreational fun. Nearby Wolf Trap National Park is the only national park that is geared towards the performing arts. Locals hike, fish, watch wildlife and ride horses at the Manassas National Battlefield Park. The park has a museum and features a one-hour walking tour of the 1st battle and a 13-mile driving tour of the 2nd battle.

The Udvar-Hazy Center of the Air and Space Museum is another exciting nearby attraction. The museum is located at the Washington-Dulles International Airport. Visitors can view artifacts such as the Space Shuttle Enterprise, an SR-71 Blackbird and the Enola Gay at the museum.

Additional area attractions include many Washington, D.C. sites like Glencaryln Park, Arlington National Cemetery, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the White House. Many exceptional colleges and universities are within 10 miles from town. These include Marymount University, Northern Virginia Community College, Howard University, Georgetown University, University of the District of Columbia, American University and George Washington University.