Falls Church, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Virginia Training School

Front Side of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 12, 2007

1. Front Side of Marker

Inscription. (Front Side of Marker): The Duryee home and 11 acres were bought by Mattie Gundry in 1899 for $2,500 (part of 1773 22,75-acre Gunnell grant). On this site she opened the Virginia Training School for retarded children. At that time, it was the only school of its kind in the South and the second largest such school in the nation. It operated until her retirement in 1946. School was torn down by 1947 to make way for Tyler Gardens. Ms. Gundry served 3 terms on the town concil; 37 years as director of the Falls Church Bank, and many other civic positions. She also received several awards as an artist and architect.

Erected by City of Falls Church.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, City of Falls Church series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.

Location. 38° 53.075′ N, 77° 10.493′ W. Marker is in Falls Church, Virginia. It is at the intersection of West Broad Street (State Highway 7) and West Annandale Road, on the right when traveling east on West Broad Street. Touch for map. Marker is in

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this post office area: Falls Church VA 22046, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cherry Hill (about 500 feet away); Falls Church Home Front (about 600 feet away); Big Chimneys (about 600 feet away); The Story of Big Chimneys (about 700 feet away); George Mason (about 800 feet away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Living in Fear (approx. 0.2 miles away); Iraq War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Falls Church.

Other markers no longer nearby. Hangman's Tree (was

Back Side of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 12, 2007

2. Back Side of Marker

about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named The Story of Big Chimneys (was about 700 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. On the back side, the marker displays a photograph of the school.

Marker at the Intersection of Broad and Annandale Streets image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 12, 2007

3. Marker at the Intersection of Broad and Annandale Streets

Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,031 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on November 4, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.