The DC Traveler » Fairfax

The World Famous Dancing Horses

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:48:00 +0000

The internationally known Lipizzaner Stallions perform the highest level of dressage with their intricate ballet-like marching, jumping and prancing. Choreographed to classical music by the masters, the dozen all white horses entertain horse fans across the globe with their lively performances.

Guns as Part of America’s History

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 08:57:00 +0000

The National Firearms Museum in suburban Fairfax, Virginia tells the history of firearms, from the earliest Match and Wheel Lock muskets, first introduced to the New World in the 17th century by the Spanish, to modern day hunting, target, military and collector’s weapons.

And America’s history is steeped in gun and firearms history. The firearm played important roles throughout history, starting with the initial settlement of the New World. Events such as the American Revolution, major wars and minor battles, the rise of organized crime in the 1920s, and law enforcement’s response would have never occurred.

The museum has one of the most extensive collection of hand guns, shotguns and rifles, military weapons and speciality firearms covering every use from law enforcement to hunting, military to shooting competitions. The collection also includes one-of-a-kind ands limited issue commemorative firearms. There’s also a section of personal firearms from well-known military men.

Just a few of the over 2,200 classic firearms on display at the museum include:

Thompson submachine gun
Colt 45 automatic
German Luger pistol
M-1 Garand & M1903 Springfield rifles
Colt’s Single Action Army revolver
Sharps carbine
Model 1803 Flintlock rifle
Personal handgun collection of famous military men, from Gen. Eisenhower to Chuck Yeagar.

And don’t miss Detective Harry Callahan’s (aka Dirty Harry) Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum and police badge and ID form the movie series that’s on display.

There’s even a collection of bb guns, including the classic favorite of boys everywhere, the Daisy Red Ryder bb gun.

The museum’s collections are split into 13 rooms, which cover a specific period of history, theme, or type of firearm.

The current exhibit is Guns of the Old West, which includes examples from Native Indians and Indian fighters, Buffalo Soldiers, gun fighters, hunters.

Additionally, an extensive collection of John Wayne movie memorabilia is also on display (see photo below).

National Firearms Museum
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, Virginia 22030

Hours – Daily, 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m., except major holidays.

Admission – FREE

Nearest Metro Station – Vienna / Fairfax / GMU – Orange Line, then a 5 mile cab ride or take a bus.

Parking – Free parking is available.

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Post from: The DC Traveler

Colvin Run Gristmill

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:03:48 +0000

Colvin Run Mill, in nearby Great Falls, Virginia is a working 19th-century water-powered gristmill, owner’s home and general store, set on a 38-acre historic site. There is also a recreation of a barn and blacksmith shop from the same era. The grain mill, powered by a waterwheel, was erected around the mid-1800s and ground grains for the local farming community. Three grinding stones and various flour sifting apparatus are located in the basement of the mill, powered by three large wooden gears attached to the waterwheel. The miller’s house, just a short walk from the mill, was the residence to the owners and operators of the mill. In 1883, the Millard family bought the mill and moved in with some of their 20 children. The family continued to operate the mill until 1934. The general store operated from the 1890s until the 1940s. Today it still sells freshly ground wheat flour (2 lbs. for $3.00), white and yellow cornmeal (2 lbs. for $3.00), and white and yellow grits (2 lbs. for $4.00) that was produced at the mill. Tours are given daily, except Tuesdays and are a great living museum and education tool for children.

Colvin Run Mill
10017 Colvin Run Rd.
Great Falls, VA 22066 (map it)

Dates and Times – Daily 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. except Tuesdays. Gristmill and miller’s house tours are offered on the hour, until 4:00. On most Sundays, from noon until 3:00 p.m., the miller can be watched grinding wheat into flour and corn into cornmeal.

Admission - Admission to the park is free. Gristmill tour tickets – Adults – $6.00, Students 16 yrs. and up with ID – $5.00, Children and Seniors – $4.00

Nearest Metro Subway Station – West Falls Church – Orange line, then a 20 minute cab ride.

Parking – Free parking is available.

Images – waterwheel, stone, scale _______________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

Firemen to the Rescue

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:50:44 +0000

The City of Fairfax Fire Department is hosting its annual Old Fashioned Fireman’s Day following the City’s July 4th Parade.

Watch 5-6 area volunteer fire companies compete in a variety of wet and watery competitions using a range of firefighting techniques and equipment.

Fire teams compete in three types of challenges:

Lay a Line – the fire truck drives to a point and stops momentarily to allow firefighters to connect a hose to a hydrant. The truck then moves down the road as the hose is uncoiled. The fastest team to deploy a hose and knock down three targets with water, wins.
Bucket Brigade – Firefighter teams compete to fill a 55-gallon barrel with water, using only buckets.
Battle of the Barrel – The firefighters version of Tug of War. A beer barrel is hung on a cable over a dividing line. The two teams take opposite positions, each manned with a large and powerful hoses. The objective — push the suspended barrel past the other team’s line.

This year, one team may be comprised of Fire Explorers, a youth group, similar to Boy/Girl Scouts or Sea Scouts, but with a fire fighting focus. The pressure will be on the professionals, as losing to a team of 14-21 year olds would be really embarrassing. And one year, I was told, a trainee team beat all the experienced teams. So you never know who might come out victorious and who might go home “all wet”.

In additional to the games, enjoy food, beverages, and games for the kids. And plan on getting wet if you get too close to the competition.

The City of Fairfax July 4th parade proceeds the games (10 a.m. – noon), and runs past the firehouse. Click here for the parade route map.

Old Fashioned Fireman’s Day
City of Fairfax Fire House 3
4081 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030 (map it)
703-385-7940

Dates and Times – Friday, July 4, 2008, 12:30 p.m. until about 2:30.

Admission - FREE

Nearest Metro Subway Station -Vienna/Fairfax-GMU, Orange line, then a 3.5 mile cab or bus ride.

Shuttle buses will run from 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. from three locations:

George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax
Frost Middle School, 4101 Pickett Road, Fairfax
Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax

Parking – Street parking will be limited, so best to use the public shuttle service.

Images – fire training, kneeling fireman, firefighter with hose

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Post from: The DC Traveler

Sweet Georgia Brown

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:37:28 +0000

The tune Sweet Georgia Brown is synonymous with The Harlem Globetrotters, who are in town this Saturday for two appearances, one at the Verizon Center and the second at George Mason University’s Patriot Center this Saturday.

The “Ambassadors of Goodwill“® have been entertaining basketball fans for 82 years.

The Harlem Globetrotters
Verizon Center
601 F Street, NW, between 6th and 7th Streets, NE
Washington, DC 20004 (map it)

Patriot Center
George Mason University
4500 Patriot Circle
Fairfax, VA 22030 (map it)

Date and Time - Saturday, 2008, 1:00 and 8:00 p.m.

Tickets – Verizon Center – $17.00 $140.00, Patriot Center – $20.50 – $123.50 and are available online through Ticketmaster.

Nearest Metro subway station – Gallery Place / Chinatown (the Metro station is part of the Verizon Center) – Red, Yellow and Green lines or use the DC Circulator.

Parking – limited street parking in the area, but various paid lots and garages are within a short walk.

Images – Flickr – team, Special K, Just Resting

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Post from: The DC Traveler